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The Texas 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 Student Learning Outcomes, or SLOs, for the Undergraduate Core Curriculum are
- Critical Thinking - Students will be able to analyze, evaluate, or solve problems when given a set of circumstances, data, texts, or art.
- Oral/Visual Communication - Students will communicate in a manner appropriate to audience and occasion with an evident message and organizational structure.
- Empirical/Quantitative Reasoning - Students will be able to interpret, test, and demonstrate principles revealed in empirical data and/or observable facts.
- Teamwork - Students will be able to work together toward a shared purpose relevant to the course or discipline with a sense of shared responsibility for meeting that purpose.
- Personal Responsibility - Students will understand and practice academic honesty.
- Social Responsibility - Students will demonstrate an understanding of societal and/or civic issues.
Through the analyzation of artifacts produced by the courses that are part of the undergraduate Core Curriculum, faculty from across the university are able to gather and synthesize data on the learning of the outcomes listed above.
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.
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 forty-two 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.
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| College Reading & Writing | |
| Written Argument/Research | |
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| College Algebra | |
| Math for Business Applications I | |
| Mathematics for Business Applications II | |
| Contemporary Mathematics | |
| Elementary Statistical Methods | |
| Pre-Calculus | |
| Calculus I | |
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| |
| |
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| Introduction to Animal Science | |
| Life in the Universe | |
| Archaeoastronomy * | |
| Stars and the Universe for STEM Majors | |
| Introductory Astronomy Lab | |
| Stars and the Universe * | |
| Solar System * | |
| Human Biology: Structure and Function * | |
| Hum Bio: Struct/Funct | |
| Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I * | |
| Introductory Chemistry Laboratory II * | |
| Introductory Chemistry I * | |
| Introductory Chemistry II | |
| Natural Disasters | |
| Introduction to Environmental Science | |
| Physical Geology | |
| Historical Geology | |
| Integrated Science I | |
| Integrated Science II | |
| Introduction to Musical Acoustics: The Science of Sound | |
| Applied Plant Science Lab | |
| Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory | |
| Introduction to Plant Science & Agronomy | |
| Introduction to Horticulture | |
| Introduction to Animal Science | |
| Archaeoastronomy * | |
| Stars and the Universe for STEM Majors | |
| Introductory Astronomy Lab * | |
| Stars and the Universe * | |
| Solar System * | |
| Introductory Biology I | |
| Introductory Biology II | |
| Botany | |
| Zoology | |
| Hum Anatomy/Physiology I | |
| Hum Anatomy/Physiology II | |
| Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I * | |
| Introductory Chemistry Laboratory II * | |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I | |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II | |
| Introductory Chemistry I * | |
| Introductory Chemistry II * | |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry I | |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry II | |
| Natural Disasters | |
| Historical Geology | |
| Physical Geology | |
| College Physics I | |
| College Physics II | |
| University Physics I | |
| University Physics II | |
| Applied Plant Science Lab * | |
| Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory * | |
| Introduction to Plant Science & Agronomy * | |
| Introduction to Horticulture * | |
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| Introduction to African American Studies | |
| Foundations of Cultural Competence | |
| Studies in Human/Communication | |
| The Human Experience | |
| Popular Literature and Culture | |
| Marginalized Literatures | |
| Humor in the Humanities | |
| Intro to Literature | |
| Lit of Western World | |
| Introduction to Gender Studies | |
| A Nation Divided: American History | |
| A World Divided: Global History | |
| Introduction to Latin American & US Latino Studies | |
| Mass Communication in Society | |
| Studies in Electronic Communications | |
| Intro to Philosophy | |
| History of Philosophy I | |
| History of Philosophy II | |
| General Ethics | |
| Aesthetics | |
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| Art Appreciation | |
| History of Art I | |
| History of Art II | |
| History and Aesthetics of Film | |
| Literature and Film | |
| Introduction to Music Literature | |
| History of Rock and Roll | |
| World Music | |
| Photography Appreciation | |
| Intro to Theatre | |
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| History of the United States through Reconstruction | |
| History of the United States Since Reconstruction | |
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| United States Government and Politics | |
| Texas Government and Politics | |
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| Agricultural Economics | |
| World Cultures: Perspectives from Anthropology | |
| Introduction to Business | |
| Economics of Personal Finance | |
| Prin Macro Economics | |
| Principles of Micro Economics | |
| Nutrition | |
| Logic | |
| Diversity | |
| Introduction to Psychology | |
| Psychology of Sexual Behavior | |
| Psychology of Adjustment | |
| Introduction to Sociology | |
| Contemporary Ideas | |
| |
| The Student and The University | |
| The Human Experience |
| Agricultural Economics | |
| Introduction to African American Studies | |
| World Cultures: Perspectives from Anthropology | |
| Art Appreciation | |
| History of Art I | |
| History of Art II | |
| Foundations of Cultural Competence | |
| Introduction to Business | |
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | |
| Business/Professional Speaking | |
| Economics of Personal Finance | |
| 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 | |
| Intro to Literature | |
| Lit of Western World | |
| Nutrition | |
| A Nation Divided: American History | |
| A World Divided: Global History | |
| Mass Communication in Society | |
| Studies in Electronic Communications | |
| History of Rock and Roll | |
| Introduction to Music Literature | |
| Music History: Early-1750 | |
| Music History: 1750-Present | |
| History of Philosophy I | |
| History of Philosophy II | |
| General Ethics | |
| Aesthetics | |
| Intro to Philosophy | |
| Logic | |
| Photography Appreciation | |
| Diversity | |
| Introduction to Psychology | |
| Psychology of Sexual Behavior | |
| Psychology of Adjustment | |
| Introduction to Sociology | |
| Contemporary Ideas | |
| Intro to Theatre | |
| Introduction to Animal Science | |
| Life in the Universe | |
| Archaeoastronomy | |
| Introductory Astronomy Lab * | |
| Stars and the Universe | |
| Solar System | |
| Human Biology: Structure and Function | |
| Introductory Biology I | |
| Introductory Biology II | |
| Hum Bio: Struct/Funct | |
| Botany | |
| Zoology | |
| Hum Anatomy/Physiology I | |
| Hum Anatomy/Physiology II | |
| Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I * | |
| Introductory Chemistry Laboratory II * | |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I | |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II | |
| Introductory Chemistry I | |
| Introductory Chemistry II | |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry I | |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry II | |
| Introduction to Business | |
| Introduction to Environmental Science * | |
| Natural Disasters * | |
| Historical Geology | |
| Physical Geology | |
| Historical Geology | |
| Physical Geology | |
| Integrated Science I | |
| Integrated Science II | |
| College Algebra | |
| 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 | |
| Applied Plant Science Lab * | |
| Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory * | |
| Introduction to Plant Science & Agronomy | |
| Introduction to Horticulture | |
Total Hours | 42 |
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: https://www.tccns.org/
Basic Skills Policy
A&M-Commerce shall assess the academic skills of each entering undergraduate student to determine the student's readiness to enroll in freshman-level academic coursework. This assessment may not serve as a condition of admission to the University.
Students found to be not ready for college-level work as determined by the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exam will be enrolled in the appropriate developmental courses to prepare them for college-level work. Beginning Fall 2018, Texas state law requires that developmental courses be offered concurrently with coordinating college-level courses. This is known as the Co-requisite Model.
Co-requisite Model in English: Upon completion of the developmental education sequence in English, students must enroll and remain enrolled in ENG 1301 until completion; students will be simultaneously enrolled in both ENG 100 and ENG 1301 concurrently.
Students not requiring developmental work in English must be continuously enrolled in ENG 1301 until successfully completed.
Students in the College of Innovation and Design that are not college ready must begin the ENG 100 and ENG 1301 co-requisite during their first term of enrollment and remain enrolled in English until this requirement has been met.
Co-requisite Model in Math: Developmental Pathways in Mathematics will be chosen according to major. If a student is determined to be in a “NON-Algebra intensive” major that does not require College Algebra, MATH 1314, or Business Math, MATH 1324, then that student will be enrolled in MATH 120 concurrently with either Contemporary Math, MATH 1332, or Elementary Statistical Methods, MATH 1342, depending on major requirements. If a student is determined to be in an “Algebra-intensive” major that requires either MATH 1314 or MATH 1324, then that student will be enrolled in Intermediate Algebra, MATH 131, concurrently with either MATH 1314 or MATH 1324, depending on major requirements. Enrollment in the co-requisite model will continue until the developmental course is successfully completed. For examples of majors that are Algebra-intensive, refer to the description of the major or speak with a professional advisor.
Students not requiring developmental work in Mathematics must be continuously enrolled in either MATH 1314, 1324, 1332, or 1342 (depending on the requirements of the major) until successfully completed.
Upon completion of the developmental education sequence in Mathematics, students majoring in programs housed in the College of Business (COB), the College of Education and Human Services (COEHS), the College of Science and Engineering (CoSE), and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CASNR) must begin the appropriate college Math sequence for their programs. COB, CoSE, and CASNR students must be continuously enrolled in Mathematics until their Core Curriculum Math requirements have been met.
Students in the College of Innovation and Design (CID) who are not college ready in both English and Math should complete their English requirements first. Upon completing English, CID students must begin the co-requisite Math sequence within the next two terms and be continuously enrolled in Mathematics until their requirements have been met. Students in other colleges will be encouraged to complete college Mathematics in as timely a manner as possible.
Students subject to this Basic Skills Policy who request to drop English or Math will require approval from the Dean of the College of Innovation and Design.
Each Advising Team will maintain an advising hold on students to insure compliance.
Contact the Dean of the College of Innovation and Design with questions at 903-886-5878.
Grades for developmental courses will be listed as “R” grades. The “R” means that the grade is developmental and does not count in the GPA.
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