University Core Curriculum

Specific Requirements

In addition to the University Core Curriculum and degree specific requirements, Texas A&M has criteria that must be met by all students in order to receive a degree, see Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree.

  1. The ability to communicate through the use of the spoken or written word requires the development of speech and writing skills.

    Communication (6 hours)

    A course used to satisfy this requirement shall have as its primary focus the improvement of student expression in communication. This focus on student expression should be demonstrated both in course instruction and assessment. Acceptable forms of student expression may range from creative to technical. Acceptable courses may include those embedded in subject areas other than writing. This requirement must be satisfied by ENGL 104 (3 hours) and one of the following:

    AGJR 404 ENGL 210        
    COMM 203 ENGL 235        
    COMM 205 ENGL 236        
    COMM 243 ENGL 241        
    ENGL 203 ENGL 301        

  2. Without knowledge of mathematics, the language of science; and logic, the art of critical inquiry; it is not possible to understand or participate in the development of knowledge.

    Mathematics (6 hours, at least 3 of which must be in mathematics)

    To be selected from any mathematics course except:

    MATH 102
    MATH 103
    MATH 150
    MATH 365
    MATH 366

    Also may select 3 hours from:

    PHIL 240
    PHIL 341
    PHIL 342

  3. Knowledge and appreciation of science as a significant human activity, rather than merely a listing of results or collection of data, is acquired only by engaging in the activities of science.

    Natural Sciences (8 hours)

    Two or more natural sciences courses which deal with fundamental principles and in which critical evaluation and analysis of data and processes are required. A minimum of one course shall include a corresponding laboratory. Non-technical courses are specifically excluded.

    Four hours to be selected from:

    BIOL 111 CHEM 107        
    BIOL 113/123 GEOL 101        
    BIOL 101 PHYS 201        
    CHEM 101 PHYS 218        
    CHEM 103/113 BIOL 107        

    Remaining hours to be selected from courses listed and/or:

    AGRO 105 CHEM 222/242 HORT 201/202
    AGRO 301 ENGR 101 OCNG 251/252
    AGRO 405 ENTO 322 PHYS 202
    ANTH 225 FRSC 304 PHYS 208
    ATMO 201/202 GENE 301 PHYS 219
    BESC 201 GENE 310 PHYS 306/307
    BIOL 112 GEOG 203/213 RENR 205/215
    CHEM 102 GEOL 106 BIOL 225
    CHEM 104/114 GEOL 307  
    CHEM 106/116 GEOS 410  

  4. Knowledge of our culture and its ideals makes possible both social integration and self-realization (see note 4).

    1. Humanities (3 hours)

      Courses used to satisfy this requirement shall address one of the following subject areas: history, philosophy, literature, the arts, culture or language (exclusive of courses devoted predominantly to acquiring language skills in a student’s native language). Acceptable courses are:

      AMST 300 COMM 425 ENGL 330 ENGL 393 MUSC 200
      AMST 320 ENDS 149 ENGL 333 ENGL 394 MUSC 201
      ANTH 202 ENDS 150 ENGL 334 ENGL 396 MUSC 311
      ANTH 205 ENDS 250 ENGL 335 ENGL 401 MUSC 312
      ANTH 301 ENDS 329 ENGL 336 ENGL 412 MUSC 315
      ANTH 302 ENGL 203 ENGL 337 ENGL 414 MUSC 319
      ANTH 303 ENGL 204 ENGL 338 ENGL 415 MUSC 321
      ANTH 306 ENGL 205 ENGL 339 ENGL 431 MUSC 324
      ANTH 308 ENGL 212 ENGL 340 ENGL 474 PHIL (any
      course except
      240, 341, 342)
      ANTH 313 ENGL 221 ENGL 345 ENGL 481
      ANTH 315 ENGL 222 ENGL 346 ENGR 482
      ANTH 316 ENGL 227 ENGL 347 GEOG 202 RELS 211
      ANTH 317 ENGL 228 ENGL 348 GEOG 301 RELS 213
      ANTH 318 ENGL 231 ENGL 350 GEOG 305 RELS 303
      ANTH 324 ENGL 232 ENGL 351 GEOG 323 RELS 304
      ANTH 350 ENGL 235 ENGL 352 HIST (any RELS 317
      ANTH 351 ENGL 236 ENGL 353  course) RELS 351
      ARCH 345 ENGL 251 ENGL 354 HORT 203 RELS 360
      ARCH 430 ENGL 308 ENGL 355 HUMA 211 RELS 392
      ARCH 434 ENGL 310 ENGL 356 HUMA 213 THAR 101
      ARTS 149 ENGL 312 ENGL 360 HUMA 303 THAR 155
      ARTS 150 ENGL 313 ENGL 361 HUMA 304 THAR 201
      ARTS 329 ENGL 314 ENGL 362 LAND 240 THAR 280
      ARTS 330 ENGL 315 ENGL 365 LAND 340 THAR 281
      ARTS 335 ENGL 316 ENGL 374 LBAR 203 WMST 200
      ARTS 349 ENGL 317 ENGL 375 LBAR 331 WMST 333
      ARTS 350 ENGL 319 ENGL 376 LBAR 332 WMST 374
      ARTS 445 ENGL 321 ENGL 377 LBAR 333 WMST 461
      CLAS 351 ENGL 322 ENGL 378 LING 307 WMST 473
      COMM 301 ENGL 323 ENGL 385 LING 310 WMST 474
      COMM 327 ENGL 329 ENGL 390 MODL* WMST 477
          ENGL 392    

      * or any course in the Department of Hispanic Studies or the Department of European and Classical Languages and Cultures (see note 5).

    2. Visual and Performing Arts (3 hours)

      Acceptable courses are:

      ANTH 324 CARC 335 ENGL 412 KINE 169 MUSC 319
      ARCH 430 CLAS 352 FILM 201 KINE 170 MUSC 321
      ARCH 434 ENDS 101 FILM 301 KINE 171 MUSC 324
      ARCH 437 ENDS 115 FILM 394 KINE 172 PERF 301
      ARTS 103 ENDS 149 FREN 425 KINE 173 PHIL 330
      ARTS 111 ENDS 150 GERM 334 KINE 174 PHIL 375
      ARTS 112 ENDS 250 GERM 432 KINE 311 SPAN 410
      ARTS 149 ENDS 311 HORT 203 LAND 240 SPAN 413
      ARTS 150 ENGL 212 KINE 160 MODL 352 THAR 101
      ARTS 305 ENGL 219 KINE 161 MUSC 200 THAR 110
      ARTS 312 ENGL 251 KINE 162 MUSC 201 THAR 155
      ARTS 329 ENGL 312 KINE 163 MUSC 280 THAR 201
      ARTS 330 ENGL 317 KINE 164 MUSC 302 THAR 210
      ARTS 335 ENGL 340 KINE 165 MUSC 311 THAR 280
      ARTS 349 ENGL 351 KINE 166 MUSC 312 THAR 281
      ARTS 350 ENGL 356 KINE 167 MUSC 315 THAR 407
      ARTS 445 ENGL 385 KINE 168    

  5. As the human social environment becomes more complex, it is increasingly important for individuals to understand the nature and function of their social, political and economic institutions (see note 4).

    1. Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 hours)

      Courses used to satisfy this requirement shall address one of the following subject areas: anthropology, economics, political science, geography, psychology, sociology or communication. Acceptable courses are:

      ADEV 340 ANTH 403 GEOG 201 JOUR 440 RELS 403
      ADEV 400 ANTH 404 GEOG 304 KINE 304 SOCI (any
      course except
      220, 420)
      ADEV 440 ANTH 410 GEOG 306 KINE 319
      AGEC 105 COMM 315 GEOG 311 KINE 336
      AGEC 350 COMM 320 GEOG 330 KINE 337 VTPB 221
      AGEC 429 COMM 325 GEOG 401 LBAR 204 WMST 207
      AGEC 430 COMM 335 GEOG 440 LING 209 WMST 300
      AGEC 452 ECON
      (any course)      		 HLTH 236 LING 311 WMST 316
      AGEC 453 HORT 335 LING 402 WMST 317
      ANTH 201 ENGL 209 INST 310 MGMT 475 WMST 404
      ANTH 210 ENGL 311 INST 322 POLS
      (any course)      		 WMST 424
      ANTH 225 ENGR 400 JOUR 102 WMST 462
      ANTH 300 EPSY 320 JOUR 301 PSYC (any
      course except
      203, 204)      		 BIOL 225
      ANTH 314 EPSY 321 JOUR 401  
    2. U.S. History and Political Science (12 hours, 6 hours of history and 6 hours of political science)

      To be a responsible citizen of the world it is necessary, first, to be a responsible citizen of one’s own country and community.

      POLS 206 and 207 and HIST 105 and 106 or other courses in American and Texas history, except those courses pertaining solely to Texas history may not comprise more than 3 hours.

  6. As individual and national destinies become progressively more interconnected, the ability to survive and succeed is increasingly linked to the development of a more pluralistic, diverse and globally-aware populace. Two courses from the following list are to be taken by the student. If a course listed below also satisfies another University Core Curriculum requirement, it can be used to satisfy both requirements if the student wishes to do so. For example, a course that satisfies the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement may be used to satisfy the International and Cultural Diversity requirement if that course also appears on the list.

    International and Cultural Diversity (6 hours)

    Acceptable courses are:

    ACCT 445 ENGL 232 HIST 345 LING 307 SOCI 330
    ADEV 422 ENGL 251 HIST 346 LING 402 SOCI 340
    AGEC 452 ENGL 333 HIST 348 MGMT 430 SOCI 350
    AGEC 453 ENGL 336 HIST 352 MGMT 450 SOCI 403
    AGRO 489 ENGL 337 HIST 355 MGMT 452 SOCI 419
    ANTH 205 ENGL 338 HIST 356 MKTG 330 SOCI 423
    ANTH 210 ENGL 339 HIST 402 MKTG 401 SOCI 424
    ANTH 300 ENGL 340 HIST 405 MODL 222 SPAN 312
    ANTH 301 ENGL 352 HIST 407 MODL 352 SPAN 320
    ANTH 306 ENGL 362 HIST 412 MODL 362 SPAN 410
    ANTH 314 ENGL 374 HIST 439 MODL 363 SPAN 411
    ANTH 315 ENGL 378 HIST 440 MUSC 312 SPAN 412
    ANTH 319 ENGL 393 HIST 441 MUSC 315 SPAN 421
    ANTH 324 ENGL 474 HIST 449 MUSC 319 SPAN 450
    ANTH 403 EURO 223 HIST 451 MUSC 324 TEFB 271
    ANTH 404 EURO 323 HIST 455 PHIL 283 TEFB 273
    ANTH 426 FINC 445 HIST 460 PHIL 416 THAR 201
    ARCH 345 FREN 301 HIST 461 PHIL 419 THAR 281
    ARTS 150 FREN 322 HIST 464 PLAN 415 VTPB 221
    ARTS 350* FREN 336 HIST 473 POLS 317 WMST 200
    BUSN 289 FREN 418 HIST 477 POLS 322 WMST 300
    CARC 301 FREN 425 HLTH 236 POLS 323 WMST 316
    CARC 311 GEOG 202 HLTH 334 POLS 324 WMST 317
    CARC 321 GEOG 301 HORT 335 POLS 326 WMST 333
    CARC 331 GEOG 305 HUMA 303 POLS 328 WMST 374
    CARC 335 GEOG 306 HUMA 304 POLS 329 WMST 391
    COMM 327 GEOG 311 IBUS 401 POLS 331 WMST 404
    COMM 335 GEOG 320 IBUS 445 POLS 338 WMST 407
    COMM 407 GEOG 321 IBUS 446 POLS 365 WMST 424
    COMM 425 GEOG 323 IBUS 450 POLS 424 WMST 430
    COSC 484* GEOG 402 IBUS 452 POLS 432 WMST 461
    COSC 494* GERM 305 IBUS 455 POLS 462 WMST 462
    DCED 301 GERM 322 IBUS 456 PSYC 300 WMST 473
    ECON 312 HISP 489 IBUS 457 RELS 303 WMST 474
    ECON 319 HIST 210 IBUS 458 RELS 304 WMST 477
    ECON 320 HIST 214 IBUS 459 RELS 403  
    ECON 324 HIST 258 IBUS 460 RLEM 314  
    ECON 330 HIST 301 INST 310 RPTS 340  
    EHRD 408 HIST 305 INST 322 SOCI 207  
    ENDS 101 HIST 307 JOUR 406 SOCI 316  
    ENDS 150 HIST 319 KINE 336 SOCI 317  
    ENDS 484* HIST 324 KINE 337 SOCI 321  
    ENDS 494* HIST 336 LAND 240 SOCI 323  
    ENGL 204 HIST 339 LBAR 331 SOCI 324  
    ENGL 205 HIST 342 LBAR 332 SOCI 325  
    ENGL 222 HIST 343 LBAR 333 SOCI 329  
             

  7. As the ancient scholars knew and as modern research has confirmed, the development of the body as well as the mind is an integral part of the educational process.

    Kinesiology requirements are to be fulfilled by completing KINE 198 Health and Fitness and any other one KINE 199 course. KINE 199 used to fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements must be taken S/U. KINE 199 courses not included in the University Core Curriculum can be taken for a grade in accordance with the student’s college policy. Transfer students with fewer than 2 hours of kinesiology credit must meet the KINE 198 requirement either by transfer of credit or by taking the course at Texas A&M.

Notes:
  1. Individual degree programs may impose more restrictive requirements in any of these areas. Students should consult the degree listing in this catalog and their academic advisors to ensure that they are satisfying all requirements of their majors.
  2. With the exception of courses satisfying the International and Cultural Diversity requirement (see section 6), no course shall be counted twice by the same student toward satisfaction of the University Core Curriculum requirements. For example, if a student elects to use ARCH 349 to satisfy the Visual and Performing Arts requirement, the student may not use the course to satisfy the Humanities requirement.
  3. Courses numbered 285 or 485 do not satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements. Individual Special Topics (289 and 489) courses may be approved for use in the Core Curriculum.
  4. No student may satisfy all 12 hours of University Core Curriculum requirements in the categories of humanities, visual and performing arts, and social and behavioral Sciences by courses having the same prefix.
  5. If courses in MODL are used to fulfill the Humanities requirement, they must be in a different language than taken in high school or, if in the same language, at the 200-level or higher. For example, if the student took Spanish in high school, then the student may not use SPAN 101 or 102 in satisfying the Humanities requirement.
  6. Students transferring course credit to satisfy the University Core Curriculum requirements should refer to the Texas Common Course Numbering System (see Appendix B) and the Transfer Course Credit Policies in this catalog.
  7. Courses taken abroad, which are conducted in another country by a TAMU faculty member, completed as reciprocal education exchange programs (REEP), or completed in another country through direct enrollment in another institution, can be used to satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for International and Cultural Diversity. This includes credits earned through 285, 291, 485, 484, and 491 courses conducted abroad for which grades are determined by a TAMU faculty member.
  8. Courses approved as satisfying one or more areas of the University Core Curriculum become effective the semester or summer session immediately following approval by the Faculty Senate.