University Core Curriculum

University Core Curriculum requirements

The University Core Curriculum is designed to give all graduating students basic intellectual competencies in reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking and computer literacy. This core body of knowledge requires study in the tools of language and thought, mathematics, natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences (including U.S. history and political science), visual and performing arts and humanities.

The UNT Core Curriculum complies with the mandates of the 1997 Texas Legislature regarding requirements for state-assisted institutions.

Individual academic programs may require courses contained in parts of the University Core Curriculum. Students who wish to take courses that will fulfill both core and major requirements simultaneously should check with academic advisors for assistance in selecting core courses.

Students may also choose to use core courses to meet the minimum number of advanced hours required by their degree.

Note: The University Core Curriculum published here is pending final approval.

Requirements

Note: Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS) numbers, when applicable, are indicated in parentheses following the UNT course number and title. Some courses may have additional equivalents. See the Courses of Instruction section of this catalog for additional information about the TCCNS.

English Composition and Rhetoric, 6 hours

Addresses the ability to access information and write clearly, coherently and correctly. The student may choose from the following courses, usually taken in sequence (ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1320 , for example):

Group 1

One course from the following, usually taken first in the sequence:

Group 2

One course from the following, usually taken second in the sequence:

Note

TECM 2700

(ENGL 2311) may be substituted for ENGL 1320 upon approval of the school/college.

A grade of C or better is required on courses applied toward this requirement. See your advisor for assistance.

Mathematics, 3 hours

The ability to apply mathematical techniques to the analysis and solution of problems is common to all academic programs. This requirement may be satisfied by at least 3 semester hours credit in any mathematics course at the level of college algebra or higher that meets the student’s degree program requirements. The student may choose from the following courses:

Note

The following courses have college-level prerequisites: MATH 1190 , MATH 1350 , MATH 1351 , MATH 1400 , MATH 1600 , MATH 1610 , MATH 1650 and MATH 1710 .

Natural Sciences, 6 hours

Enables the student to understand, construct and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to understand the bases for building and testing theories. This requirement may be satisfied by earning 6 semester hours in two laboratory sciences that meet the science requirement of the student’s degree program. The student may choose from the following courses:

U.S. History, 6 hours

Texas state law requires that the university may not award a baccalaureate degree or a lesser degree or academic certificate unless the student has credit for 6 semester hours in American History. A student is entitled to submit as much as 3 hours of credit, or its equivalent, in Texas History in partial satisfaction of this requirement. The university may determine that a student has met the requirement by work transferred from another accredited college or upon successful completion of an advanced standing examination. The student may satisfy the entire 6-hour American/Texas history requirement by advanced standing examination. This requirement may be satisfied by credit in HIST 2610 (HIST 1301) and HIST 2620 (HIST 1302) (United States History) or HIST 2675 * and HIST 2685 * (Honors United States History).

Political Science, 6 hours

Texas state law requires that the university not award a baccalaureate degree or a lesser degree or academic certificate unless the student has completed 6 hours of credit in American Government to include consideration of the constitutions of the United States and Texas. The university may determine that a student has met the requirement in whole or in part on the basis of credit transferred from another accredited college or upon successful completion of an advanced standing examination. The university may grant as much as 3 hours of credit toward satisfaction of this requirement for substantially equivalent work in an approved senior ROTC unit. The student may satisfy the entire 6-hour political science requirement by advanced standing examination. Specific courses required are PSCI 1040 (GOVT 2301) (American Government) and PSCI 1050 (GOVT 2302); or PSCI 1041 * and PSCI 1051 * (Honors American Government).

Visual and Performing Arts, 3 hours

Promotes awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts, critical analysis and formation of aesthetic judgments, and appreciation of the arts as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. This requirement may be satisfied by 3 hours credit in any of the following:

Humanities, 3 hours

Addresses knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. This requirement may be satisfied by 3 hours credit in any of the following:

Social and Behavioral Sciences, 3 hours

Addresses knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events and ideas. This requirement may be satisfied by 3 hours credit in any of the following:

Discovery, 3 hours

Discovery courses are designed to help students gather the tools necessary for full engagement in the undergraduate experience. It is recommended that students meet this requirement early in their time at UNT. Courses may be offered within any discipline, though they may not be offered in every discipline. Students may take Discovery courses in any discipline, depending on availability and their major requirements. University core Discovery courses will teach students to (a) think critically and creatively, learning to apply different systems of analysis; (b) engage with a variety of others in thoughtful and well crafted communication; (c) be able to articulate the values that undergird their lives, the UNT community and the larger society; and (d) cultivate self‐awareness, balance and an openness to change.

Capstone, 3 hours

Capstone courses are designed to be a culminating experience, drawing the breadth of the student’s educational experience into an integrated whole, and placed within the context of the larger society. It is highly recommended that this course be taken after all other core courses are completed in order to help students integrate knowledge from across the core curriculum. Courses are offered at the junior or senior level in any discipline, though they may not be offered in every discipline. University core Capstone experience courses will teach UNT students to (a) make connections between different areas of knowledge and different ways of knowing; (b) be able to express ways that exposure to different ideas, perspectives, cultures and viewpoints have enriched their thinking; (c) learn decision making strategies that include an ethical analysis; and (d) participate in activities that promote the common good. Not all disciplinary capstones fulfill the core capstone requirements. Check with an advisor.

Notes

* Course offered for Honors College students only.
** Course offered for international students only.
*** Course offered for elementary education students only.

Inclusion of specific courses within core categories is subject to final approval.