Courses
Academics are important. Don't fail your classes. Listed below are common courses which TAMS students take. However, TAMS students are allowed to take any UNT Course listed on the UNT Catalog as long as the student meets the course's pre-requisites. In addition, TAMS students cannot exceed 19 credit hours OR a 3 hour elective + 1 hour elective.
As for how much is 19 credit hours, it depends on the courses and the student taking them. For example, a student who is breezing through 2 of their classes effectively have only 13 credit hours to deal with while a student struggling in all 6 of their classes will feel that 19 credit hours is a nightmare. Some additional information is that most college students typically take 4-5 courses which equates to 12-16 credit hours with 6 courses generally not recommended due to the workload.
BIOL
Biology is perhaps the most painful course a TAMS junior can take. But don't worry—good things come to those who wait, and good thing = second semester bio.
BIOL 1711
Honors Biology for Science Majors I. Sadboi moments with Daddy Dane Alligator Man Crossley. Tests are straightforward, but chances are, you will stumble across the occasional typo every other question. Lectures are rather … hm. The textbook is not fun to read, unless you're a nerd. May the luck be with you.
BIOL 1761
Honors Biology for Science Majors Laboratory. Typically taken with Bio I during first semester of junior year. Your experience honestly depends on your luck with getting good TAs. May the luck be with you.
BIOL 1722
Honors Biology for Science Majors II. Happieboie moments with the Jaguar (Jagadeeswaran) and Knee Oh Gee (Neogi). Jag teaches about animals, humans, and sex. Neogi teaches about ecology, the environment, and why humans are ruining it. The luck will likely be with you.
CHEM
Most first year TAMS students take a chemistry course plus a laboratory. A student can place into honors chemistry based on their performance on the chemistry placement test taken during summer orientation. Students who miss the placement test will be automatically placed in general chemistry.
CHEM 1410
General Chemistry I. If you place into general chemistry, you will take a chemistry section with UNT students. The majority consensus is that general chemistry has a lot more busy work and can be harder than honors chemistry. Most TAMS students take Dr. McAfee for General Chemistry I. However, some other professors first semester students take include Zhang, Kinyanjui, and Petros.
CHEM 1413
Honors Chemistry I. acree moments
CHEM 1420
General Chemistry II. This class is amazing with Kelber.
CHEM 1423
Honors Chemistry II. acree 2 electric boogaloo
CHEM 2730
Organic Chemistry (OChem). Organic chemistry is just naming carbons and realizing how carbons flirt with each other.
First Year CSCE Courses
CSCE 1030
Computer Science I. Computer Science I teaches the basic fundamentals of C and C++ including variables, conditional statements, loops, arrays, functions, file streams, structs, pointers and input/output formatting. Think of it as AP CSA but in C/C++ with memory allocation mixed in. This course was taught by Dr. Pradhumna Shrestha during the fall semester of the 2020-2021 school year.
CSCE 1035
Computer Programming I. A computer science course instructed in Python, and required for the B.S. in Cybersecurity degree. Originally intended as an option alongside CSCE 1030 for Class of 2022 students during Fall 2020, this plan was not materialized due to schedule conflicts and insufficient interest.
CSCE 1040
Computer Science II. Computer Science II teaches object oriented programming by expanding on more C and C++ concepts including objects and classes, pointers and classes, vectors, data structures, recursion, inheritance, and templates. Taught by Dr. David Mark Keathly, who does not know how to wear a mask. Notorious for long, tedious projects. Similar to BIOL 1711, the quality and tendency of grading of the TA substantially influence your performance and experience.
CSCE 1045
Computer Programming II. Continuation of CSCE 1035, instructed in C++. Includes "obgekt oreeentid prougramyng" like CSCE 1040. Since plans to offer CSCE 1035 was not materialized for Class of 2022, this class is not offered for Spring 2021.
Second Year CSCE Courses
CSCE 2100
Foundations of Computing. A theoretical class, this class sometimes can serve as possible prerequisite options alongside MATH 2000, discrete math.
CSCE 2110
Foundations of Data Structures. bad class
CSCE Related Courses
INFO 3010
Introduction to Data Science. This course is taught in R and is project based meaning that there are no tests. It covers the entirety of data science including how to gather, parse, analyze, graph, and interpret data. As of Fall 2020, this class was instructed by Dr. Lingzi Hong.
LTEC 3000
Learning Technologies in STEM. This class is largely composed of busy work. Not an easy A despite being composed of busy work. This is a course to avoid.
BCIS 3620/3690
Mainframe Concepts/Advanced Mainframe Concepts. This class teaches IBM Mainframe, COBOL, JCL, etc. The content is alright but the professors (Guynes & Hardy) tell amazing stories. Unfortunately, Guynes is retiring after Spring 2021.
ENGL
First Year ENGL Courses
ENGL 1315
Writing about Literature I. ENGL 1315 is taken first semester. Current instructors include Dr. Anne Schoolfield, Professor Joshua Ibarra, and Dr. Mariah Steele. Previous instructors include Professor Jack Christian. The class covers poetry and plays.
ENGL 1325
Writing about Literature II. ENGL 1315 2: Electric Boogaloo is taught by the same professors as ENGL 1315. However, unlike with math classes, you are able to switch professors. The class covers science fiction and prose.
General Second Year ENGL Courses
During a student's second year at TAMS, they have to take two semesters of literature. They must take one semester of the following general literature courses.
ENGL 2321
British Literature. Bri'ish people are disgustang.
ENGL 2326
American Literature. Murica People readings and stuff.
ENGL 2331
World Literature. Literature from the world.
ENGL 2341
Forms of Literature. Literature comes in different forms and stuff like square.
ENGL 2351
Mexican American Literature. Una clase de literatura con escritos de los Mexicanos en los Estados Unidos.
Other Second Year ENGL Courses
After a student takes their required general literature course, they are allowed to take any literature course that is not in the list above.
- The full list of English courses that can be taken can be found here.
ENGL 4410
Chaucer, taught by Dr. Nicole D. Smith. In this class, you read and analyze Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales section by section. Has tests (relatively easy), discussions, mini-quizzes (easy), and a good bit of reading Middle English. However, you can get through this class reading the Modern English version of the Tales, if you're uncool like that. The best advantage of this class is its mono-focus on a specific book, which leads it to being very predictable.
ENGL 4610
Children’s and Young Adult Literature. How to analyze Dr. Seuss
ENGL 4620
Literature and Film. Watching books.
ENGL 4660
Literature and the Holocaust. A history class analyzing the literature about the Holocaust. Taught by Dr. Deb Armintor in the fall semester and Dr. Cindy K. Renker in the spring semester.
ENGL 4680
Game Narratives as Literature. The course is taught by Dr. Marshall Needleman Armintor. The purpose of this course is to examine the concept of narrative in video games—from all eras and genres—to show how the familiar questions of structure, cultural critique, and (especially) intertextuality commonly applied to literature and film can be extended to games and the gaming ethos. Yes, this is for you, you gamer.
HIST
During your second year at TAMS, you will take two semesters of U.S. history.
HIST 2610
United States History to 1865. American History to 1865 C.E.
HIST 2620
United States History since 1865. American History since 1865 C.E.
MATH
When a student is admitted to TAMS, they will start with Pre-Cal (MATH 1650). However, a student can place into higher level math based on their performance on the pre-calculus placement test taken during summer orientation. Students who miss the placement test will be automatically placed in pre-calculus.
If a student has an SAT math score 750+ OR ACT composite score of 32+ with a 34+ in the math section AND a 5 on the AP Calculus exam (AB/BC), they may enroll in Calculus I with permission from TAMS.
Note: If you place into MATH 1650 or 1710 in your first TAMS semester, the math professor you take will be the same for your second semester. For example, if you take Mann first semester for Cal I, you will have him again second semester for Cal II or if you have Brozovic for Pre-Calculus first semester, you will take him again second semester for Cal I.
Required for all Students
MATH 1650
Pre-calculus. Taught by Dr. Nirmala Naresh, Dr. Joe Iaia, and Dr. Doug Brozovic for the fall semester of the 2020-2021 school year. Often considered to be more difficult than high school pre-calculus.
MATH 1710
Calculus 1. Covers limits and continuity, derivatives and integrals; differentiation and integration of polynomial, rational, trigonometric, and algebraic functions; applications, including slope, velocity, extrema, area, volume and work. Was taught by Dr. Allen Mann and Dr. William Cherry for the fall semester of the 2020-2021 school year.
MATH 1720
Calculus 2. Covers differentiation and integration of exponential, logarithmic and transcendental functions; integration techniques; indeterminate forms; improper integrals; area and arc length in polar coordinates; infinite series; power series; Taylor's theorem. Was taught by Dr. Matthew Dulock for the fall semester of the 2020-2021 school year.
Commonly Taken
MATH 2000
discreeet.. fishmen..
MATH 2700
Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry. AKA matrix math. Learning how to solve and manipulate systems of linear equations and apply it to real life situations. Just like your SAT system of equations but then the equations do not play nice and you get all sad. The first unit covers what happens when the system has a solution and the last 3 units cover what happens when the system does not have a happy solution along with some other theorems and techniques. Some things covered are vector operations, Gaussian elimination, determinants, change of basis, Gram-Schmidt process, eigenvectors, and diagonalization. This course is offered with options of synchronous and asynchronous instruction for Fall 2020 & Spring 2021; in the latter case, you simply watch videos and do your work. As of Spring 2021, this class is instructed by Dr. Helen J. Elwood.
MATH 2730
Multivariable Calculus (Calculus 3). Covers vectors and analytic geometry in 3-space; partial and directional derivatives; extrema; double and triple integrals and applications; cylindrical and spherical coordinates. If you take MATH 1720 in fall of your junior year, you will be required to take this class in spring. Taught remotely by Prof. Dillon Hanson.
Advanced Courses
MATH 3000
real anal. its hard
MATH 3010
Seminar in Problem-Solving Techniques A 1-hour math course only offered in fall semesters, often taken by students interested in the Putnam Competition. Includes "binomial coefficients, elementary number theory, Euclidean geometry, properties of polynomials and calculus". In Fall 2020, this class was co-instructed by Dr. Joseph Iaia and Dr. Pieter Aallart.
MATH 3400
number theory
MATH 3410
Differential Equations I. You solve differential equations using a box full of tools and methods. Good calculus and algebra fundamentals recommended. This course resembles more of calculus 2 than calculus 1 or 3 so be prepared.
MATH 3420
diffeq 2. fun but fast-moving and difficult class
MATH 3680
applyed statisticks
MATH 3510
Abstract Algebra I. This class mainly covers the study of groups, fields, and rings. Some of the notable topics include: permutation groups, dihedral groups, cyclic groups, alternating groups, left and right cosets, LaGrange's Theorem, finitely generated abelian groups, homomorphisms, factor groups, rings, fields, and Fermat's Theorem.
MATH 4520
complex anal
MATH 4810
Biocomputing. Easily the best math class since you have no mandatory prerequisite according to the UNT Catalog and no math is done in the class.
Instead you just learn biology, computer science, and how to present papers.
MATH 4610
probability 😎
PHYS
During your second year at TAMS, you will take two semesters of physics. Most people start with PHYS 1710 and 1730, but if you scored a 5 on both AP Physics C exams including mechanics and electricity and magnetism, you can enroll in modern physics (PHYS 3010 and Lab: PHYS 3030) and Quantum mechanics (PHYS 4310).
PHYS 1710
Kinematics with calculus. If you took AP Physics 1 or C then this will be familiar territory.
PHYS 1730
physics 1 lab
PHYS 2220
Electromagnetism. If you took AP Physics C then this will also be familiar territory.
PHYS 2240
physics 2 lab
PHYS 3010
Modern Physics. Special class #1 for 1 special kid.
PHYS 3030
Modern Physics Lab. This is the lab for PHYS 3010.
PHYS 4310
Quantuum mekaniks. If PHYS 3010 is opened up to more students in the future years this class will become accessible to some during their time at TAMS. It requires a student to take both PHYS 3010 and 3030 in addition to MATH 3410 prior to enrollment. Special class #2 for 1 special kid.
PSCI
Second year TAMS students are required to take one semester of government. They have the option to take American Government (PSCI 2305) or State Government (PSCI 2306).
PSCI 2305
US Political Behavior and Policy. Taught by Prof. Meaders and Dr. Greig.
PSCI 2306
US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions.
TECM
Technical writing. Required for certain tracks for the class of 2023 and onwards.
Electives
Unless otherwise noted, all references to "GPA" are for the cumulative GPA.
Starting at your 2nd semester, you are able to take electives as long as you meet the GPA requirement, and your total class load does not exceed 19 hours in total.
2nd and 3rd semester students with GPA higher than 3.25 (requires confirmation) may take 1 elective course of up to 3 credit hours (labs and recitation for such electives are not included) and 1 elective of either "research" or 1 credit hour.
4th semester students with GPA higher than 3.75 may take up to 2 elective courses of up to 3 credit hours each.
In all circumstances, the 19-hour cap must be observed.
In pre-pandemic conditions, 1-hour electives are generally physical education or non-music major music; such courses become rather obscure in remote learning, but demand is expected to pull up upon returning to campus physically.
Research courses usually appear in forms like "XXXX 2900 - Introduction to [discipline] Research" and "XXXX 4900 - Special Problems" (where XXXX denotes the 4-letter class code the field of study uses in the UNT Catalog). They can be of more than 1 credit hour, unlike an 1-credit hour elective you may otherwise take (wink wink GPA boost). As "research" courses, they serve the role of "recording your mentored research in your transcript" to a certain degree, so you generally have your research mentor as the instructor.
Some common electives that TAMS students take include:
- BIOL 2301 and BIOL 2311 (Lab): Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Usually taken by Traditional Science Students)
- CHEM 2730 with lab: Organic Chemistry
- MATH 2000: Discrete Math
- MATH 2700: Linear Algebra
- MATH 3680: Applied Statistics
- ECON 1100: Macroeconomics
- ECON 1110: Microeconomics
- PSYC 1630: General Psychology I
- PSYC 1650: General Psychology II
- Foreign languages: Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, German, French, Latin, Arabic, Russian, Italian
- The World Languages department also offers credit-by-exam, allowing up to 12 credit hours in a foreign language to be obtained. Generally, about 10 testing times will be open over the course of the semester for commonly chosen foreign languages.
Note: CHEM 2730, in addition to 3 credit hours of instruction, has 1 credit hour of recitation, 1 credit hour of lab and 1 credit hour of lab recitation. It is usually discouraged to take this course in 3rd semester given the extremely dreading college season.