The TexasCore 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
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. Completion of the core curriculum, either from the current block of courses offered at Texas A&M University-Commerce, or through Generic Transfer Equivalent Courses transferred in 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 SCH) | ||
| (010) Communications (6 SCH) | 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 | ||
| GLB/US-Written Argument/Research | ||
| (020) Mathematics (3 SCH) | 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. | ||
| US-College Algebra | ||
| US-Math for Business Applications I | ||
| Mathematics for Business Applications II | ||
| Contemporary Mathematics | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods | ||
| Pre-Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| (030) Life and Physical Sciences (6 SCH) | 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 | ||
| Introduction to Animal Science | ||
| Life in the Universe | ||
| GLB/Archaeoastronomy * | ||
| Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics | ||
| Introductory Astronomy Lab | ||
| Stars and the Universe * | ||
| Solar System * | ||
| US - Human Biology: Structure and Function * | ||
| US-Hum Bio: Struct/Funct | ||
| Experimental Survey of General Chemistry: Laboratory Section * | ||
| Experimental Survey of Organic and Biochemistry: Laboratory Section * | ||
| Survey of General Chemistry * | ||
| Survey of Organic and Biochemistry | ||
| Natural Disasters | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Science | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| Historical Geology | ||
| Integrated Science I | ||
| Integrated Science II | ||
| Introduction to Musical Acoustics: The Science of Sound | ||
| Introduction to Plant Science Lab | ||
| Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Plant Science | ||
| Introduction to Horticulture | ||
| Science Majors Life and Physical Science Courses | ||
| Introduction to Animal Science | ||
| GLB/Archaeoastronomy * | ||
| Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics | ||
| Introductory Astronomy Lab * | ||
| Stars and the Universe * | ||
| Solar System * | ||
| Introductory Biology I | ||
| Introductory Biology II | ||
| Botany | ||
| Zoology | ||
| US-Hum Anatomy/Physiology I | ||
| Hum Anatomy/Physiology II | ||
| Experimental Survey of General Chemistry: Laboratory Section * | ||
| Experimental Survey of Organic and Biochemistry: Laboratory Section * | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Survey of General Chemistry * | ||
| Survey of Organic and Biochemistry * | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry I | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry II | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry I | ||
| Natural Disasters | ||
| Historical Geology | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| College Physics I | ||
| College Physics II | ||
| University Physics I | ||
| University Physics II | ||
| Introduction to Plant Science Lab * | ||
| Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory * | ||
| Introduction to Plant Science * | ||
| Introduction to Horticulture * | ||
| (040) Language, Philosophy, and Culture (3 SCH) | 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. | ||
| Introduction to African American Studies | ||
| Foundations of Cultural Competence | ||
| Studies in Human/Communication | ||
| Popular Literature and Culture | ||
| Marginalized Literatures | ||
| Humor in the Humanities | ||
| US-Intro to Literature | ||
| US-Lit of Western World | ||
| GLB/Introduction to Gender Studies | ||
| A Nation Divided: American History | ||
| GLB/A World Divided: Global History | ||
| Mass Communication in Society | ||
| Studies in Electronic Communications | ||
| GLB/US-Intro to Philosophy | ||
| GLB/US-History of Philosophy I | ||
| US-History of Philosophy II | ||
| US-General Ethics | ||
| US-Aesthetics | ||
| (050) Creative Arts (3 SCH) | 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 | ||
| Latin American Music | ||
| World Music | ||
| Photography Appreciation | ||
| Intro to Theatre | ||
| (060) American History (6 SCH) | 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 SCH) | 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 2305/2306 meets this requirement. Other two course sequences are offered elsewhere. Mixing a course from other sequences into the PSCI 2305/2306 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. | ||
| United States Government and Politics | ||
| Texas Government and Politics | ||
| (080) Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 SCH) | 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 | ||
| Economics of Personal Finance | ||
| GLB/US-Prin Macro Economics | ||
| Principles of Micro Economics | ||
| GLB/Introduction to Gender Studies | ||
| Nutrition | ||
| GLB/US-Logic | ||
| Diversity | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Sexual Behavior | ||
| Psychology of Adjustment | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| GLB/US-Social Problems | ||
| (090) Component Area Option (6 SCH) | 6 | |
| At A&M Commerce the Component Area Option consists of two elements depending on the student's admit-type. All first-time full-time freshmen will take these two options from the Component Area: three hours in the Signature Course and three hours in the Degree Pathway. All other students not falling under the first-time full-time admit type will take six hours in the Component Area from the Degree Pathway. Some degree plans require specific courses to meet programmatic requirements. In these cases, students may need a second course in the Degree Pathway rather than a Signature Course. See your advisor for more information. Advisors should choose the option that most quickly expedites students through the Core Curriculum Requirements. | ||
| Signature Course: | ||
| Signature Course | ||
| Degree Pathway: 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 | ||
| Introduction to African American Studies | ||
| US-World Cultures: Perspectives from Anthropology | ||
| GLB/Art Appreciation | ||
| GLB/History of Art I | ||
| GLB/History of Art II | ||
| Foundations of Cultural Competence | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
| Business/Professional Speaking | ||
| Economics of Personal Finance | ||
| GLB/US-Prin Macro Economics | ||
| Principles of Micro Economics | ||
| Popular Literature and Culture | ||
| Marginalized Literatures | ||
| Humor in the Humanities | ||
| History and Aesthetics of Film | ||
| Literature and Film | ||
| US-Intro to Literature | ||
| US-Lit of Western World | ||
| GLB/Introduction to Gender Studies | ||
| Nutrition | ||
| A Nation Divided: American History | ||
| GLB/A World Divided: Global History | ||
| Mass Communication in Society | ||
| Studies in Electronic Communications | ||
| History of Rock and Roll | ||
| Introduction to Jazz and Jazz Rock | ||
| Introduction to Music Literature | ||
| Latin American Music | ||
| GLB/US-History of Philosophy I | ||
| US-History of Philosophy II | ||
| US-General Ethics | ||
| US-Aesthetics | ||
| GLB/US-Intro to Philosophy | ||
| GLB/US-Logic | ||
| Photography Appreciation | ||
| Diversity | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Sexual Behavior | ||
| Psychology of Adjustment | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| GLB/US-Social Problems | ||
| Intro to Theatre | ||
| Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science (any field), Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of General Studies, CHOOSE ONE of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Animal Science | ||
| Life in the Universe | ||
| GLB/Archaeoastronomy | ||
| Introductory Astronomy Lab * | ||
| Stars and the Universe | ||
| Solar System | ||
| US - Human Biology: Structure and Function | ||
| Introductory Biology I | ||
| Introductory Biology II | ||
| US-Hum Bio: Struct/Funct | ||
| Botany | ||
| Zoology | ||
| US-Hum Anatomy/Physiology I | ||
| Hum Anatomy/Physiology II | ||
| Experimental Survey of General Chemistry: Laboratory Section * | ||
| Experimental Survey of Organic and Biochemistry: Laboratory Section * | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Survey of General Chemistry | ||
| Survey of Organic and Biochemistry | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry I | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry II | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry I | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Science * | ||
| Natural Disasters * | ||
| Historical Geology | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| Historical Geology | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| Integrated Science I | ||
| Integrated Science II | ||
| US-College Algebra | ||
| US-Math for Business Applications I | ||
| Mathematics for Business Applications II | ||
| Contemporary Mathematics | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods | ||
| Pre-Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Introduction to Musical Acoustics: The Science of Sound | ||
| College Physics I | ||
| College Physics II | ||
| University Physics I | ||
| University Physics II | ||
| Introduction to Plant Science Lab * | ||
| Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory * | ||
| Introduction to Plant Science | ||
| Introduction to Horticulture | ||
| Total Hours | 42 | |
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
