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 course before) helps throughout the semester.
Some CAT Communities are organized around student interest, which allow students to explore an interdisciplinary area of study while working with an expert professor and undergraduate learning assistant who share 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, please talk with your advisor during June Orientation and Enrollment to get connected! You can also fill out our online survey to indicate your interest and save your spot in the CAT Community of your choice.
Below are the CAT Communities for Fall 2021! Click on the icons for more information about each one.
Adulting 101
Get prepared for the "real world" and learn about topics that will help you be successful inside and outside of college. This interactive class will focus on a set of life skills and current issues like financial planning (including taxes and retirement accounts), time management, health and well-being, identifying fake news, how to have difficult conversations, and more. You and your peers will also help plan Adulting 101 workshops for other students on campus.
EDCEP 111 University Experience
FNDH 132 Basic Nutrition
DAS 195 Adulting 101
Art and Creativity
Explore what it means to be creative in this interactive learning community. We'll work through the following questions and concepts as they relate to creativity: how can you enhance your ability to make effective work through understanding the creative processes; what are some ways you can engage with the world of art and design; what are your art and design teachers expecting from you; and how can you move beyond creative blocks for more effective work? We'll also learn how professionals discovered their own creative processes and how you can apply them in your own art and designs.
ART 180 Two Dimensional Design
PSYCH 110 General Psychology
DAS 195 Art and Creativity
Art of Engineering [Chemistry Section]
This learning community is for students in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. It focuses on developing a solid understanding of the importance of science as a foundation for engineering while working to improve the students' ability to communicate, especially science and engineering design, with a diverse group of people. Students in this learning community must enroll in BAE 101 Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Technology as well as CHM 210 Chemistry 1.
Required Courses
CHM 210 Chemistry 1
BAE 101 Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Technology
Recommended Courses
COMM 105 Public Speaking 1A
MATH 220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
Art of Engineering [Math Section]
This learning community is for students in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. It focuses on developing a solid understanding of the importance of science as a foundation for engineering while working to improve the students' ability to communicate, especially science and engineering design, with a diverse group of people. Students in this learning community must enroll in BAE 101 Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Technology as well as MATH 220 Calculus 1 and the recitation for MATH 220.
Required Courses
MATH 220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
BAE 101 Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Technology
Recommended Courses
CHM 210 Chemistry 1
COMM 105 Public Speaking 1A
The Art of Healthcare
Join this CAT Community for an introduction to the many dimensions of our life cycle and healthcare. Special attention will be given to life stories, sickness and health, diversity and cultural competencies, differing perspectives on health care and well-being, professionalism, and other topics and insights important to healthcare providers. Healthcare is ultimately about people, both patients and providers, and this will be an opportunity to explore the personal dimensions of healthcare as a field.
AMETH 160 Introduction to American Ethnic Studies
ENGL 295 Life Stories
DAS 195 The Art of Healthcare
Education in a Global World
As the world becomes smaller, our classrooms become ever bigger. What does this mean for the future of education and what does the classroom of the future look like? Together we will explore how education is changing around the world and how you can be prepared for a global classroom.
EDCI 310 Foundations of Education
GEOG 100 World Geography and Globalization
DED 350 Education in a Global World
Engineering Explorations
In this community, you will explore different engineering degree programs and careers while engaging in learning activities that promote your personal and professional development. You will also develop a solid understanding of how engineers utilize math and science to solve all types of problems. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to get to know other general engineering students and begin building a community of peers. Please keep in mind that the Engineering Futures CAT Community is designed for students who are in the General Engineering program. The required orientation course will help you make progress towards any engineering degree, but depending on the program, you might have to take an additional introduction course.
ECON 110 Principles of Macroeconomics
MATH 220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
DEN 160 Engineering Orientation
DEN 161 Engineering Futures
Engineering Foundations
The Engineering Foundations CAT Community is designed specifically for General Engineering students enrolled in College Algebra or Trigonometry. This community will provide students with a connection to the College of Engineering and resources to help them successfully navigate their first semester on campus. Students will engage in learning activities that will strengthen their time management skills, study skills, goal setting and give them the tools to be successful future engineers.
MATH 150 Plane Trigonometry
ECON 110 Principles of Macroeconomics
DEN 160 Engineering Orientation
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.
PSYCH 110 General Psychology
FNDH 132 Basic Nutrition
DHE 195 Exploring the Health Professions
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
First-Gen Fundamentals
This CAT community will focus on empowering you with tools and resources to create a successful transition to college. You’ll accomplish this through hands-on workshops to learn about bettering yourself professionally and socially while exploring leadership potential. This learning community is only for first-generation, first-year students.
LEAD 212 Introduction to Leadership Concepts
EDCEP 111 University Experience
LEAD 195 First-Gen Fundamentals
Getting Lost in the Stacks
Pop quiz! Is it important for you to organize your stuff (records, books, clothes, etc.)? Are you interested in preserving cultural history, stories, and artifacts? Do you like falling into information rabbit holes? Are you invested in creating safe and accessible spaces for the community? If you said yes to any of these questions, you should consider a career in libraries and join this community. There will also be an opportunity to find a job working in the K-State Libraries while you're here.
LEAD 212 Introduction to Leadership Concepts
EDCEP 111 University Experience
LEAD 195 Getting Lost in the Stacks
Global Conversations
Did you know that there are more than 400 international students from 50 different countries that are your fellow classmates and a part of the K-State family? In this CAT Community, you will learn how communication transcends location and how to develop your own skills as a global communicator.
GEOG 100 World Regional Geography
COMM 106 Public Speaking 1
EDCEP 110 Study Skills and Strategies
Hacking the MCAT: Medicine, Science, and Society
What does it take to do well on the MCAT, and more generally, to be a good healthcare provider? This CAT community will help students develop their critical analysis and reasoning skills while exploring public health concepts related to health disparities.
BIOL 198 Principles of Biology
GWSS 105 Introduction to Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies
DAS 195 Hacking the MCAT
The 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.
How We Learn
Have you ever wondered how you learn? We will dive deeper into educational theory to help explain stages in your life and how these stages affect your ability to learn. You will also practice strategies that you can use with your future students.
EDCI 310 Foundations of Education
HDFS 110 Introduction to Human Development
DED 350 How We Learn
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
Leadership for Agricultural Advocacy
Develop your advocacy skills for the agricultural industry by examining assumptions of advocacy and leadership. Explore and engage agricultural issues from the perspective of multiple stakeholders and develop your skills in critical thinking, communication, and productive conflict. This class will be highly interactive and discussion-based. We will focus on current events and engage with industry leaders.
LEAD 212 Introduction to Leadership Concepts
ASI 102 Principles of Animal Science
GENAG 201 Leadership for Agricultural Advocacy
Leadership in Sports
In this community we will explore some of the untold stories of sports icons like Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Jessie Owens, Satchel Paige, and more. Through their experiences, we will examine the impact of coaching, important life lessons, and the ways in which protest, activism, and politics are framed within sports.
LEAD 212 Introduction to Leadership Concepts
POLSC 115 U.S. Politics
LEAD 195 Leadership in Sports
Menard Family Scholars
This community engages outstanding freshman business students in a year-long, cohort-based program designed to foster leadership development, ethical decision making, and innovative thinking, while gaining technical knowledge and skills through rigorous coursework. Through industry learning trips, alumni connections, one-on-one mentoring, and other exclusive experiences, students will explore college leadership opportunities and career pathways in the business sector. Students will also work with top faculty members as they transition to college life, and benefit from early access to the College of Business Career Development Program, specialized advising, and career shadowing experiences. For more information on how to apply, click here.
LEAD 212 Introduction to Leadership Concepts
ENTRP 340 Entrepreneurial Mindset
GENBA 195 Future Business Leaders
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
Science for Humans
Why is the sky blue? Why do leaves change color in the fall? Science allows Humans to understand and transform our world. This exciting, hands on learning community is an exploration of how basic scientific principles can explain the world we live in and create the world we want to live in.
BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology
GEOG 100 World Geography and Globalization
DAS 195 Science for Humans
Screenplays and Stageplays
Theatre. Film. Drama. Cinema. How do these powerful forms interact? How do we create and consume these cultural products? You will learn how to critically analyze these forms while also producing your own works of film and theatre!
ENGL 220 Fiction into Film
THTRE 270 Introduction to Theatre
DAS 195 Screenplays and Stageplays
Speak the Language - An Accounting Journey
Get up close and personal with business and accounting in a classroom like no other! Let's take an exciting journey where you will discover the language of business and yourself. With a culminating business and culture experience to Washington DC, see first-hand the impact YOU can make in the business world.
ACCTG 231 Accounting for Business Operations
MKTG 400 Introduction to Marketing
GENBA 195 Speak the Language
Speak Your Mind
In this CAT Community, you'll learn important college student success skills, including the ability to confidently share your ideas in a classroom. Alongside your classmates, you'll learn how to take ownership over your learning and apply college student success skills to your K-State journey.
COMM 106 Public Speaking 1
PSYCH 110 General Psychology
EDCEP 111 University Experience
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 252 History of the U.S. Since 1877
DAS 195 Sports in America
The Tony Dosien Sales and Marketing CAT Community
In the business world, companies need both marketing and sales in order to succeed. Together we will explore the differences between marketing and sales and how collaboration between them creates best outcomes in any business setting.
MKTG 400 Introduction to Marketing
MKTG 542 Fundamentals of Professional Selling
GENBA 195 Conversational Marketing and Best Practices in Sales
Writing Life
Do you appreciate the knowledge and perspective gained from reading, reflecting, conversing with peers, and sharing your thoughts through writing? In this CAT Community, you will improve your writing through practice, feedback, and revision while learning about yourself and the world around you. You will also have the opportunity to strengthen skills and habits that are crucial to success in college while developing meaningful relationships with other first-year students.
ENGL 100 Expository Writing 1
SOCIO 211 Introduction to Sociology
DAS 195 Writing Life
If you have any additional questions, please e-mail us at kstatefirst@k-state.edu.