This is an archived copy of the 2015-16 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://coursecatalog.tamuc.edu.

Core Curriculum Requirements

Core Curriculum is an essential element in the educational process that results in professional success, personal growth, and responsible citizenship. In this process, students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge, learn reasoning and communication skills, examine their goals, values, and potentialities, and develop an enduring commitment to learning through both formal and informal educational experiences.

The Core Curriculum program at A&M-Commerce embodies the characteristics and purposes of the University. With both professional and liberal arts programs, A&M-Commerce recognizes general education as a necessary component in the development of all students. The general education which takes place in the Core Curriculum program is, therefore, not only compatible with specialization, but is the context in which specialization occurs.

The breadth and depth offered by Core Curriculum is necessary to the meaningful and informed study of any major field.  Though the courses are required, they are not to be regarded as inconveniences, but rather as the intellectual foundation upon which a university education is built.

Specifically, the Core Curriculum program

  • stresses breadth and provides a person with opportunities to perceive the integration of knowledge;
  • involves the study of liberal arts and science;
  • encourages understanding of our heritage as well as respect for other people’s cultures;
  • develops mastery of linguistic, analytical, and computational skills that are necessary for lifelong learning; and
  • fosters development of such personal qualities as appropriate acceptance of ambiguity, empathy and acceptance of others, and expanded understanding of self.

Presently, there are two configurations by which students may satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement at A&M-Commerce:

  1. Completion of the current block of courses that comprises the Core Curriculum Curricula (Table 1). These must total 42 semester hours.
  2. A combination of Generic Transfer Equivalent Courses for initial transfer students (Table 2) and courses from Table 1. These must total 42 semester hours.

In both cases it is essential that students recognize that individual courses are not necessarily interchangeable.  Certain science courses, for example, are intended for those majoring in science.  Depending upon major, different math courses might be more applicable or even preferred by departments.  Students considering Core Curriculum courses should consult with the appropriate advising personnel or offering departments as a part of making an informed choice prior to enrollment.

The Texas Core Curriculum requires students to complete thirty-six hours of coursework from a broad variety of disciplines across eight Foundational Component Areas.  Another six hours that meet requirements for any one of the Foundational Component Areas are also required, but institutions are allowed to select those six hours to meet institutional priorities and mission.  This six hour element of the Texas Core Curriculum is called the Component Area Option.

Foundational Component Areas (36 SH)
(010) Communications (6 SH)6
Students must complete two semesters of English composition. Communication courses focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively. Courses in communication promote the Texas state Core Objectives of critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and personal responsibility.
US-College Reading & Writing
US-Written Argument/Research
(020) Mathematics (3 SH)3
Students must complete a minimum of one college level mathematics course. Mathematics courses focus on quantitative literacy in logic, patterns and relationships. Courses in mathematics promote the Texas state Core Objectives of critical thinking, communication, and empirical and quantitative skills. Mathematics courses should be selected based upon completion of the appropriate prerequisites. Math courses also are often very major-specific—in other words, one size does not fit all. All students should refer to the catalog and seek the advice of a success coach or professional advisor about the appropriate math selections for their major.
Pre-Calculus
Math Bus App II
US-Math Applications/Philosophy
Calculus II
US-College Algebra
US-Math for Business Applications I
Elementary Statistical Methods
Calculus I
(030) Life and Physical Sciences (6 SH)6
Students must complete six hours of life and physical science. Courses in this category focus on describing, explaining and predicting natural phenomena using the scientific method. Courses in the life and physical sciences promote the Texas state Core Objectives of critical thinking, communication, empirical and quantitative skills, and teamwork.
Four credit hour science courses are intended for students majoring in science, engineering or agriculture fields, as well as some within the College of Education and Human Services. These students should complete TWO four credit hour (three-hour lecture and one-hour lab) science courses. Selecting the wrong science courses can delay completion of key pre-requisites and graduation.
Three credit hour and one credit hour (labs) courses for the life and physical science component area are intended for students not majoring in science, engineering, or agriculture fields. These courses are marked with an asterisks “*” below and are either designed specifically for non-science majors or open to non-science majors. When the course is a lab, it is permissible for non-science majors to take the lab apart from the three-hour lecture. Science majors must take both a lecture and a lab if choosing from this list of courses. The same lecture and lab course may not be repeated (unless failed) in order to meet the 6 hour life and physical science core requirement.
All students should seek the assistance of a success coach or professional advisor when choosing science courses to meet their Core Curriculum Requirements.
Non-Science Major Life and Physical Science Courses
Solar System *
Solar System Lab *
Stars and the Universe *
Stars and the Universe Lab
Life in the Universe
GLB/Archaeoastronomy *
US - Human Biology: Structure and Function *
Survey of General Chemistry *
Experimental Survey of General Chemistry: Laboratory Section *
Survey of Organic and Biochemistry
Experimental Survey of Organic and Biochemistry: Laboratory Section *
US- Introduction to Environmental Science
Natural Disasters
US - History of the Earth
Physical Geology
Integrated Science I
Integrated Science II
Introduction to Musical Acoustics: The Science of Sound
Introduction to Plant Science
Introduction to Plant Science Lab
Introduction to Horticulture
Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory
Science Majors Life and Physical Science Courses
Solar System *
Solar System Lab *
Stars and the Universe *
Stars and the Universe Lab *
Life in the Universe
GLB/Archaeoastronomy *
US-Introductory Biology I
US: Introductory Biology II
US- Botany
US-Zoology
US-Hum Anatomy/Physiology I
US-Hum Anatmy/Physiology II
Survey of General Chemistry *
Experimental Survey of General Chemistry: Laboratory Section *
Survey of Organic and Biochemistry *
Experimental Survey of Organic and Biochemistry: Laboratory Section *
General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I
General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II
General and Quantitative Chemistry I
General and Quantitative Chemistry II
General and Quantitative Chemistry I
General and Quantive Chemistry II
Introduction to Environmental Science for Environmental Science Majors
GLB/US-Natural Disasters for Environmental Science Majors
Us-History of the Earth for Environmental Science Majors
US-The Dynamic Earth: Physical Geology for Environmental Science Majors
College Physics I
College Physics II
University Physics I
University Physics II
Introduction to Plant Science *
Introduction to Plant Science Lab *
Introduction to Horticulture *
Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory *
(040) Language, Philosophy, and Culture (3 SH)3
Students must complete three hours of Literature, Philosophy, and Culture. Courses in this category focus on how ideas, beliefs, and other aspects of human culture affect human experience. Literature, Philosophy and Culture courses promote the Texas state Core Objectives of critical thinking, communication, social responsibility, and personal responsibility.
Popular Literature and Culture
Multi-Ethnic American Literature
Humor in the Humanities
US-Intro to Literature
US-Lit of Western World
A Nation Divided: American History
GLB/A World Divided: Global History
US-Mass Commun in Society
GLB/US-Intro to Philosophy
GLB/US-History of Philosophy I
US-History of Philosophy II
US-General Ethics
US-Aesthetics
US-Stud in Elec Comm
US-Studies in Human/Comm
GLB/Elementary Spanish I
GLB/Elementary Spanish II
GLB/Intermediate Spanish I
GLB/Intermediate Spanish II
(050) Creative Arts (3 SH)3
Students must complete three hours of coursework in Creative Arts. Courses in this category focus on the appreciation and analysis of creative artifacts and works of the human imagination. Creative Arts courses promote the Texas state Core Objectives of critical thinking, communication, social responsibility and teamwork.
GLB/Art Appreciation
GLB/History of Art I
GLB/History of Art II
History and Aesthetics of Film
Literature and Film
Introduction to Music Literature
History of Rock and Roll
Introduction to Jazz and Jazz Rock
World Music
Latin American Music
GLB/US-Intro to Theatre
(060) American History (6 SH)6
State law mandates six hours of American history survey. Courses in this category focus on the consideration of past events and ideas relative to the United States. Courses in this category promote the Texas state Core Objectives of critical thinking, communication, social responsibility and personal responsibility.
History of the United States through Reconstruction
History of the United States From Reconstruction
(070) Government/ Political Science (6 SH)6
State law mandates six hours of US and Texas government. Courses in this category focus on consideration of the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the states, with special emphasis on that of Texas. Courses in this category promote the Texas state Core Objectives of critical thinking, communication, social responsibility and personal responsibility.
At A&M-Commerce, the two course sequence PSCI 2301/2302 meets this requirement. Other two course sequences are offered elsewhere. Mixing a course from other sequences into the PSCI 2301/2302 sequence can delay graduation.
All students should seek the assistance of a success coach or professional advisor when choosing political science courses to meet their Core Curriculum Requirements.
US-Princ of US and Tex Gov
US/TX GOV; INSTS & POLS
(080) Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 SH)3
Students must complete three hours of coursework in Social and Behavioral Science. Courses in this category focus on the application of empirical and scientific methods that contribute to the understanding of what makes us human. Social and Behavioral Science courses promote the Texas state Core Objectives of critical thinking, communication, empirical and quantitative skills, and social responsibility.
Agricultural Economics
US-World Cultures: Perspectives from Anthropology
GLB/US-Prin Macro Economics
Principles of Micro Economics
US-Eco of Personal Finance
Nutrition
US-Logic
Introduction to Psychology
Diversity
Psychology of Sexual Behavior
GLB/Psychology of Adjustment
Introduction to Sociology
GLB/US-Social Problems
(090) Component Area Option (6 SH)6
At A&M-Commerce the Component Area Option consists of two elements. First, all students must take one course in speech communication from the two listed below. Second, all students must complete an additional three hours corresponding to requirements of their particular degree (Degree Pathway). For instance, a student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree must take an additional math or science course for his/her Component Area Option. All students should seek the advice of a success coach or professional advisor when choosing political science courses to meet their Core Curriculum Requirements.
Speech Communication (3 SH)
US-Fund of Public Speaking
US-Business/Prof Speaking
Degree Pathway (3 SH): One additional course chosen from lists below depending upon degree type:
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts (any field), Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, and Bachelor of General Studies, CHOOSE ONE of the following:
Agricultural Economics
US-World Cultures: Perspectives from Anthropology
GLB/US-Prin Macro Economics
Principles of Micro Economics
US-Eco of Personal Finance
Nutrition
US-Logic
Diversity
Introduction to Psychology
Psychology of Sexual Behavior
GLB/Psychology of Adjustment
Introduction to Sociology
GLB/US-Social Problems
Popular Literature and Culture
Multi-Ethnic American Literature
Humor in the Humanities
US-Intro to Literature
US-Lit of Western World
A Nation Divided: American History
GLB/A World Divided: Global History
US-Mass Commun in Society
GLB/US-Intro to Philosophy
GLB/US-History of Philosophy I
US-History of Philosophy II
US-General Ethics
US-Aesthetics
US-Stud in Elec Comm
US-Studies in Human/Comm
GLB/Elementary Spanish I
GLB/Elementary Spanish II
GLB/Intermediate Spanish I
GLB/Intermediate Spanish II
GLB/Art Appreciation
GLB/History of Art I
GLB/History of Art II
History and Aesthetics of Film
Literature and Film
History of Rock and Roll
Introduction to Jazz and Jazz Rock
Introduction to Music Literature
World Music
Latin American Music
GLB/US-Intro to Theatre
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science (any field), Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Business Administration, CHOOSE ONE of the following:
Pre-Calculus
Math Bus App II
US-Math Applications/Philosophy
Calculus II
US-College Algebra
US-Math for Business Applications I
Elementary Statistical Methods
Calculus I
Life in the Universe
Solar System *
Solar System Lab
Stars and the Universe
Stars and the Universe Lab *
GLB/Archaeoastronomy
US-Introductory Biology I
US: Introductory Biology II
US - Human Biology: Structure and Function
US- Botany
US-Zoology
US-Hum Anatomy/Physiology I
US-Hum Anatmy/Physiology II
Survey of General Chemistry *
Experimental Survey of General Chemistry: Laboratory Section *
Survey of Organic and Biochemistry *
Experimental Survey of Organic and Biochemistry: Laboratory Section *
General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I
General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II
General and Quantitative Chemistry I
General and Quantitative Chemistry II
General and Quantitative Chemistry I
General and Quantive Chemistry II
US- Introduction to Environmental Science *
Introduction to Environmental Science for Environmental Science Majors
Natural Disasters *
GLB/US-Natural Disasters for Environmental Science Majors
US - History of the Earth *
Us-History of the Earth for Environmental Science Majors
Physical Geology *
US-The Dynamic Earth: Physical Geology for Environmental Science Majors
Integrated Science I
Integrated Science II
College Physics I
College Physics II
Introduction to Musical Acoustics: The Science of Sound
University Physics I
University Physics II
Introduction to Plant Science *
Introduction to Plant Science Lab *
Introduction to Horticulture *
Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory *
Total Hours42
*

Indicates courses either designed specifically for non-science majors or open to non-science majors.  When the course is a lab, it is permissible for non-science majors to take the lab apart from the three-hour lecture.  Science majors must take both.

Texas A&M University-Commerce will honor core curriculum courses from other Texas public institutions and apply those toward completion of the A&M-Commerce core curriculum.  

Whether students are transferring or starting and finishing with A&M-Commerce, completion of the core curriculum is a graduation requirement.  Students should seek the help of their success coach or professional advisor in selecting appropriate courses to meet these requirements.

For information on the Texas Common Course Numbering System visit the website at: http://www.tccns.org/matrix.aspx