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CAT Communities
What is a CAT Community?
A group of 22 students enroll in two regular courses taken together and another one-hour opportunity to discover course connections. Students learn together, are taught by an expert faculty member, and a Learning Assistant (an experienced student who has taken the courses before) helps throughout the semester.
Some CAT Communities are organized around students' general academic interests, which allow students to explore an interdisciplinary area of study while working with an expert professor and undergraduate learning assistant who share those similar interests. Other CAT Communities offer discipline specific topics, and these pre-professional CAT Communities allow students with the same major and/or career interest to take courses in their field of study while working with a professor and undergraduate learning assistant in their same discipline.
If you are interested in enrolling in one of the options, talk with your advisor during your Advising Appointment with them to get connected! Reach out to us if you have any questions about any of the options as well!
Below are some of the CAT Communities we are offering for Fall 2025! We are working on some additional offerings as well, so continue to check back for more updates soon. Click on the titles for more information about each one.
Animal Agriculture in 2050
Your generation will develop a very different food system than what exists today. We will explore the intersection of agricultural animal production with biology, discuss societal issues related to animal agriculture, and consider the future of foods from animal sources. A background in agricultural animal production will be helpful if you are interested in this CAT Community.
BIOL 198 Principles of Biology
ASI 102 Principles of Animal Science
GENAG 202 Animal Agriculture in 2050
Animal Biology and Ethics: A Pre-Vet Community
Dive into your dream of becoming a veterinarian! Join a vibrant learning community designed specifically for passionate pre-vet students like you. This unique program connects you with hands-on learning about animal health science and ethics, a built-in support network of fellow pre-vet students, and close mentorship from dedicated pre-vet advisors. This specialized orientation helps you build connections and explore your veterinary medicine path where you will explore the deep connections between scientific knowledge and animal welfare – the foundation of great veterinary care. Build friendships, gain insights, and start your professional journey surrounded by students who share your passion for animal health.
Perfect for Biology majors and other Arts & Sciences students dreaming of a career in veterinary medicine!
BIOL 198 Principles of Biology
PHILO 130 Introduction to Moral Philosophy
DAS 101 Animal Biology and Ethics: A Pre-vet Community
Child Development Around the World
Explore the fascinating world of childhood through an interdisciplinary lens in this unique learning community. You will dive deep into how societies shape child development, examining critical topics like childrearing practices, attachment, socialization, and the complex interplay between cultural beliefs and actual practices. This community welcomes curious students who want to understand the intricate ways communities influence children's experiences. Through targeted conversations and interconnected coursework, you'll gain insights into children's rights, social structures, and cultural dynamics, developing a nuanced perspective on how children grow, learn, and interact within diverse social contexts.
ANTH 204 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ECED 310 Early Childhood Development
DHE 195 Child Development and Culture
Crime and Justice in America
This CAT Community is an examination of the major components in the American criminal legal system—police, courts, jails, prisons, probation and parole—and how these institutions reflect and are affected by norms and changes in our society. Special emphasis is placed on inequalities of race, class, gender, age, within criminal justice.
CRIM 261 Criminal Justice Systems
SOCIO 211 Introduction to Sociology
DAS 195 Crime and Justice in America
Exploring Scientific Research
Learn all about participating in scientific research opportunities as an undergraduate. You will take part in a research project under the guidance of mentor through K-State's "Research for All" program. These research experiences typically will require one to two hours per week outside of class. We'll share our experiences throughout the semester in our community and finish by presenting posters at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
BIOL 198 Principles of Biology
CHM 210 Chemistry 1
DAS 195 Exploring Scientific Research
Exploring the Health Professions
Are you interested in potentially becoming a healthcare professional? In this CAT Community, you will explore this interest by learning about different health professions, taking part in different experiences and activities that assist you in discerning your interest in them, and understanding the path to becoming a successful a pre-health applicant.
FNDH 115 Introduction to Health and Nutrition Professions
FNDH 132 Basic Nutrition
DHE 195 Exploring the Health Professions
Find Your Fit
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” and "What are you going to major in?" are undeniably two questions a first year college student has heard over and over. Enroll in this CAT Community to learn more about yourself and the decision-making journey as you uncover your strengths, values, and a world of majors and careers that can lead to a life of passion, purpose, and fulfillment. This CAT Community serves Exploratory Studies students.
COMM 106 Public Speaking 1
PSYCH 110 General Psychology
EDCEP 120 Academic and Career Decisions
Find Your Place in Nature
Discover a transformative community for nature enthusiasts and future environmental leaders. The Find Your Place in Nature CAT Community connects passionate students with the Park Management and Conservation (PMC) Program, offering a unique opportunity to explore the intricate world of natural resource management. Through carefully selected courses, you'll dive deep into environmental, social, and economic issues while building connections with peers who share your commitment to protecting our planet.
Perfect for students who love spending time outdoors and want to make a meaningful difference, this learning community prepares you to become a steward of our natural resources. Join us and turn your passion for nature into a powerful career path, one ecosystem at a time!
PMC 275 Introduction to Natural Resource Management
ANTH 204 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
HNR 115 Find Your Place in Nature
Health Technology and Engineering
For Engineering majors. Check back soon for more details!
Honors Community: Breaking the Art/Science Divide
We often think of the arts (for example, literature) as the opposite of science. But what happens if you use literature to understand mental illness or read a medical case file as a work of literature? What if you analyze bio-chemical responses to art? Together we will explore the intersection of the arts and science so we can begin to understand how science shapes our understanding of the arts and the ways in which literature and art teach us about science. This CAT Community is for Honors students in the College of Arts and Sciences.
ENGL 297 Honors Introduction to the Humanities
BIOL 198 Principles of Biology OR PSYCH 110 General Psychology*
UHP 189 Honors First-Year Seminar
*Students interested in the Breaking the Art/Science Divide CAT Community only need to enroll in BIOL 198 or PSYCH 110, not both.
Identity, Pop Culture, and Performance
Explore identity through cinema, theatre, pop culture, and performance. Together we will attend plays, read comics, and examine films in this exploration.
AMETH 160 Introduction to American Ethnic Studies
THTRE 270 - Introduction to Theatre
DAS 195 Identity, Pop Culture, and Performance
Innovate Yourself
Unleash your creative spirit in this vibrant community, where you can explore innovative ideas, push boundaries, and embrace the diverse perspectives. Each week, you will participate in open-minded discussions and hands-on activities at the Sunderland Foundation Innovation Lab. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and unlock your potential!
SOCIO 211 Introduction to Sociology
EDCEP 111 Foundations of College Student Success
DAS 195 Innovate Yourself
K-Staters Go Global! Languages, Cultures, and Travel
K-Staters Go Global! is an exciting learning community that explores the dynamic relationships between languages, cultures, and travel. Through carefully selected courses in Modern Languages, Geography, and academic success, you will examine mobility, globalization, and cultural diversity, transforming your college experience into a literal and metaphorical journey of discovery.
This community welcomes first-year students passionate about understanding international perspectives, with particular appeal to anyone interested in Modern Languages or Geography. By connecting coursework that fulfills core requirements and overlays, you will gain insights into language contact, global societies, and future opportunities for study abroad, all while developing a broader understanding of our interconnected world.
MLANG 120 Multilingualism in the US
GEOG 100 World Geography & Globalization
DAS 101 Arts & Sciences Orientation: Topic: Worlds in Motion: Languages, Cultures, and Travel
Leadership and Service
Mahatma Gandhi said "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." As a CAT community we will identify common interests, develop meaningful service projects, and spend time together learning through service. Nonprofit organizations in and around Manhattan rely on the generosity of volunteers—join us as we seek to develop our own leadership capacity in the service of others.
LEAD 212 Introduction to Leadership Concepts
SOCIO 211 Introduction to Sociology
LEAD 195 Leadership and Service
The Meat We Eat
Curious about the meat industry? Together we'll explore hot topics of the past, current, and future, from the use of the hormone and antibiotics in livestock to cultured meat. This will provide you the opportunity to learn perspectives of the meat industry from both the producers and the consumers’ sides.
ASI 102 Principles of Animal Science
CHM 210 Chemistry 1
GENAG 200 The Meat We Eat
Make Every Dollar Count
You'll spend a lot of money, time, and effort in college to earn your degree. Make the most of your investment so that every dollar counts by joining this CAT Community! Here, you'll learn about opportunities at K-State that will help you maximize your college experience and prepare for your future career -- without spending extra money! We'll explore free campus resources, explore the vital role curiosity plays in your academic success, and strengthen the personal and professional skills that will help you throughout your entire life. You will also have the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other first-year college students in a positive, welcoming community environment.
ENGL 100 Expository Writing 1
SOCIO 211 Introduction to Sociology
DAS 101* Make Every Dollar Count
*This course counts as DAS 101: College of Arts & Sciences Orientation: Discover, Create, Thrive: Navigating Arts & Sciences at Kansas State University credit
Name, Image, Likeness
The world of college athletics is changing including the ability for student-athletes to now profit from their name, image, and likeness. This community provides access to key tools and resources that student-athletes can use to monetize their personal brand.
PFP 105 Introduction to Personal Financial Planning
ENTRP 340 Entrepreneurial Mindset
GENBA 195 Name-Image-Likeness
Next Gen Farmers and Ranchers
Is a farm or ranch in your future? Then this community is for you! Together we will learn how to approach the next four years to gain the knowledge needed to become a next generation farm or ranch owner and operator.
ASI 102 Principles of Animal Science
AGEC 120 Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
GENAG 200 Next Gen Farmers and Ranchers
Nutrition and the Health Professions
We’ve all heard the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” In this CAT Community, you and other pre-health students will explore the implications behind this saying and gain an understanding of how nutrition is important to promoting the optimal health and wellness of patients. You will also learn about different health care practitioner occupations.
FNDH 132 Basic Nutrition
CHM 210 Chemistry 1
DHE 195 Nutrition and the Health Professions
Pre-Law: Law and Society
This CAT Community explores issues concerning the nature and special status of law and the connections between law, society, and morality. Law is a complex social institution that influences our culture and is itself shaped by society. Law is also an institution that is deeply connected with morality. We think of law as obligating us independently of the threat of punishment. We also think the content of law should reflect some basic set of moral values and that law is defective and loses its authority to the extent it fails to reflect our own values. However, the nature of law and of legal reasoning, and the ways society and morality influence law are complex and sometimes controversial matters.
We will discuss the nature and functions of law and explore the links between political change and legal reform, and between law and morality. The course will also include interaction with the Pre-Law advisor and discussion of the many career paths available to students interested in the law.
PHILO 160 Introduction to Philosophy of Law
POLSC 115 U.S. Politics
DAS 195 The Law and Society
Pre-Physical Therapy
Learn the physical and behavioral attributes of physical fitness, health and movement in this CAT Community. You will develop an understanding of the physical therapy profession, examination requirements, education, and opportunities.
KIN 220 Biobehavioral Bases of Physical Activity
FNDH 132 Basic Nutrition
DHE 195 Pre-Physical Therapy
Psychology of Money
Why is managing money so hard? Why are we often our own worst enemy when it comes to saving? Explore the intersection of psychology and money to gain insight into how our perceptions and beliefs around money shape our day-to-day financial behavior.
PFP 105 Introduction to Personal Financial Planning
PSYCH 110 General Psychology
DAS 195 Psychology of Money
ROTC Community
Unlock your leadership potential through the Army ROTC learning community! This innovative program connects students with the Aerospace Studies Minor, offering a unique pathway to develop critical leadership skills while exploring opportunities in military and civilian career fields. Through this learning community and the connection to the ROTC, gain valuable leadership training, potentially earn merit-based scholarships, and discover how military leadership principles can propel you toward success in any professional arena.
HIST 155 U.S. Military History since 1775
LEAD 212 Introduction to Leadership Studies
AERO 110 The Foundation of the United States Air Force - Heritage and Values I
Small But Mighty: How Insects Impact Your World
From bee keeping to the transmission of pathogens, we look at the impact of insects and related arthropods on agriculture and health. Discover some of the often-hidden ways insects are impacting us today and what to expect in the future.
ASI 102 Principles of Animal Science
ENTOM 305 Animal Health Entomology
GENAG 200 How Insects Impact your World
Space Exploration and Research: An Engineering Community
Blast off into an extraordinary learning community that brings space exploration right to your classroom! This unique opportunity allows you to dive deep into cutting-edge research conducted on the International Space Station, exploring how different engineering disciplines contribute to groundbreaking space technologies and scientific experiments.
Perfect for aspiring scientists and engineers, this community offers an immersive experience that connects classroom learning with real-world space exploration, giving students an unprecedented glimpse into the future of scientific discovery beyond our planet.
CHM 210 Chemistry I
COMM 106 Public Speakin I
DEN 161 Engineering Problem Solving
Sports in America
Sports as entertainment and lifestyle have have been a dominant force in the United States both economically and in the public consciousness. In this CAT Community, students will take a look at the impact the industry has one all aspects of life in the United States, as it has become almost a religious experience for many. You will trace the rise and fall of a variety of American sports, discuss current-day trends, and engage in activities geared toward understanding the role of sports in the fabric of society.
MC 160 Principles of Journalism
HIST 152 History of the U.S. Since 1877
DAS 195 Sports in America