Oct 31, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Common Curriculum Pathway Guide for Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS) (Including Dallas, Collin and Tarrant County Community Colleges)


Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.

An Introduction for Transfer Students


SMU welcomes transfer students from all colleges and universities! Transfer students comprise a large and important component of the total student body and their diverse academic backgrounds enrich the educational experience for all students. SMU’s Transfer and Transition Services assists prospective transfer students with planning programs of study that are compatible with SMU degree requirements.

The Common Curriculum


All undergraduate students entering SMU beginning in summer and fall 2020 will complete The Common Curriculum (CC), which replaces the University Curriculum.  The Common Curriculum emphasizes the values of a liberal arts education – learning to read, write and think critically while acquiring a basic understanding of human society. 

The following outline represents Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS) courses which satisfy requirements of SMU’s Common Curriculum. If you are transferring from a college or university outside of Texas, click on the SMU course for a course description which may be used to select/compare courses at your current institution. Careful review of these equivalencies should facilitate a seamless transfer to the University and minimize the likelihood of lost credits in the process.

The CC consists of two main coursework sections:

  • Foundation courses teach students how to read and write critically, develop basic quantitative reasoning skills, and expose them to a second language.
  • Breadth courses introduce students to the ways in which intellectual traditions organize and construct knowledge and fundamental ideas in various disciplines.

Please keep in mind the following policies and information about the CC when planning your program of study at a Texas college or university using TCCNS or elsewhere:

  • CC requirements can be met through any part of your undergraduate career, including work in the major or minor, elective courses and approved activities. The number of courses and/or credit hours required to complete the CC will vary according to your academic background, preparation, major, curricular and co-curricular choices.
  • TCCNS courses approved for the CC have been carefully vetted. Courses not listed as approved must demonstrate specific Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) to satisfy requirements.
  • Credit earned by examination such as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credit may only satisfy Quantitative Foundation, the Second Language Foundation and up to 3 Breadth courses.
  • Keep syllabi from all of your transfer courses. You will need them to determine transfer applicability once you arrive at SMU.

Foundations


For specific policies related to Foundation courses, please refer to “CC Policies for Students with Transfer Work” following the Breadth chart in this guide.

Foundations

Foundations Component TCCN Transfers to SMU as
Quantitative Reasoning (QR) - understand, evaluate and use quantitative information  MATH 1324 - Math for Business & Eco MATH 1307 - Introduction to Mathematical Sciences  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MATH 1332 - Contemporary Math I MATH 1307 - Introduction to Mathematical Sciences  
MATH 1325 - Business Calc & Apps I MATH 1309 - Introduction to Calculus for Business and Social Science  
MATH 1425 - Business Calc & Apps I  MATH 1309 - Introduction to Calculus for Business and Social Science  
MATH 2413 - Calculus I MATH 1337 - Calculus I  
MATH 2320 - Differential Equations MATH 3313 - Ordinary Differential Equations  
MATH 1342 - Statistics STAT 2331 - Introduction to Statistical Methods  
BUSN 2305 - Business Statistics STAT 2331 - Introduction to Statistical Methods  
   
Introduction to Academic Writing  ENGL 1301 WRTR 10XX
     
Writing and Critical Reasoning  ENGL 1302 WRTR 10YY
     
Second Language (SLR)* - proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding a second language

World Language courses other than English (Spanish, French, etc.) 

Satisfied by 1) 2 semesters of the first year of study of the same second language or American Sign Language at the university level; OR 2) AP/IB credit or placing out through a SMU placement test; OR 3) being literate in a native language other than English

Breadths


For specific policies related to Breadth courses, please refer to “CC Policies for Students with Transfer Work” following this Breadth chart.

Breadths 
(Satisfied with 1 course from each of the 7 categories)

Breadth Category TCCN  Transfers to SMU as 
Creativity and Aesthetics (CA) ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation  MSAX 10U1
  ARTS 1316 - Drawing I  ASDR 1300 - Introduction to Drawing   
ARTS 2316 - Painting I ASPT 1300 - Introduction to Painting   
ARTS 2326 - Sculpture I ASSC 1300 - Introduction to Sculpture   
ARTS 2333 - Printmaking I  ASPR 1300 - Introduction to Printmaking   
ARTS 2346 - Ceramics I ASCE 1300 - Introduction to Ceramics   
ARTS 2356 - Photography I  ASPH 1300 - Introduction to Photography   
DRAM 1351 - Acting I  THEA 10U1
HUMA 1315 - Fine Arts Appreciation HUM 10U1
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation  MUHI 10U1 
     
Historical Contexts (HC) ARTS 1303 - Survey of Art History  ARHS 1303 - Introduction to Western Art I   
  ARTS 1304 - Survey of Art History ARHS 1304 - Introduction to Western Art II   
HIST 1301 - History of the U.S. HIST 2311 - Out of Many: U.S. History to 1877  
HIST 1302 - History of the U.S. HIST 2312 - Unfinished Nation: U.S. History Since 1877  
HIST 2321 - World Civilization I HIST 10U1 
HIST 2322 - World Civilization II HIST 10U2
     
Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology ANTH 2301 - Introductory Cultural Anthropology  
  GOVT 2305 - Federal Government PLSC 1320 - Introduction to American Government and Politics  
GOVT 2371 - Intro to Comparative Politics PLSC 1340 - Introduction to Comparative Politics  
PSYC 2301 - Intro to Psychology PSYC 1300 - Introduction to Psychology  
PSYC 2314 - Lifespan Growth and Development PSYC 20U1
PSYC 2319 - Social Psychology PSYC 20U2
SOCI 1301 - Intro to Sociology SOCI 1300 - Introduction to Sociology  
     
Literary Analysis and Interpretation (LAI) ENGL 2321 - British Literature ENGL 20U1 
  ENGL 2322 - British Literature ENGL 20U2
ENGL 2323 - British Literature ENGL 20U3 
ENGL 2326 - American Literature ENGL 20U4 
ENGL 2327 - American Literature ENGL 20U5
ENGL 2328 - American Literature ENGL 20U6
ENGL 2331 - World Literature WL 20U1 
ENGL 2332 - World Literature WL 20U2
ENGL 2333 - World Literature WL 20U3 
     
Philosophical, Religious and Ethical Inquiry (PREI) PHIL 1301 - Intro to Philosophy PHIL 1305 - Introduction to Philosophy   
  PHIL 1304 - Major World Religions RELI 10U1
PHIL 2303 - Logic PHIL 1301 - Elementary Logic   
PHIL 2306 - Ethics PHIL 1316 - Introduction to Ethics   
     
Exploring Science (ES) BIOL 1406 - Biology for Science Majors I  BIOL 1301 - Introductory Biology  / BIOL 1101 - Introductory Biology Lab  
  BIOL 1407 - Biology for Science Majors II BIOL 1302 - Introductory Biology  BIOL 1102 - Introductory Biology Lab  
BIOL 1408 - Biology for Non-Science Majors BIOL 1300 - Biology for Liberal Arts  
BIOL 1411 - Introductory Biology BIOL 1308 - Plant Biology  
BIOL 2401 - Anatomy & Physiology I APSM 20U1
BIOL 2402 - Anatomy & Physiology II APSM 20U2
CHEM 1405 - Introductory Chemistry I CHEM 1301 - Chemistry for Liberal Arts  
CHEM 1409 - General Chemistry for Engineering Majors CHEM 1303 - General Chemistry   / CHEM 1113 - General Chemistry Laboratory  
CHEM 1411 - General Chemistry I  CHEM 1303 - General Chemistry  / CHEM 1113 - General Chemistry Laboratory  
CHEM 1412 - General Chemistry II CHEM 1304 - General Chemistry  / CHEM 1114 - General Chemistry Laboratory  
ENVR 1401 - Environmental Sciences I  SCI 10U1
ENVR 1402 - Environmental Sciences II SCI 10U2
GEOL 1401 - Earth Science GEOL 1301 - Earth Systems  
GEOL 1403 - Physical Geology GEOL 1301 - Earth Systems  
GEOL 1405 - Environmental Geology GEOL 1315 - Introduction to Environmental Science  
GEOL 1445 - Oceanography GEOL 1305 - Oceanography  
PHYS 1401 - College Physics I PHYS 1307 - General Physics I  / PHYS 1105 - Mechanics Laboratory    
PHYS 1402 - College Physics II  PHYS 1308 - General Physics II  / PHYS 1106 - Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory  
PHYS 1403 - Stars and Galaxies PHYS 1311 - Elements of Astronomy  
PHYS 1405 - Conceptual Physics I PHYS 10U1 
PHYS 1404 - Solar System  GEOL 1307 - The Solar System  
PHYS 1407 - Conceptual Physics II PHYS 10U1 
PHYS 1415 - Physical Science I  SCI 10U1
PHYS 1417 - Physical Science II SCI 10U2
PHYS 2425 - University Physics I PHYS 1303 - Introductory Mechanics  / PHYS 1105 - Mechanics Laboratory  
PHYS 2426 - University Physics II PHYS 1304 - Introductory Electricity and Magnetism  / PHYS 1106 - Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory  
     
Technological Advances and Society (TAS) COSC 1301/1401 - Microcomputing Concepts and Applications CSE 10U1
  BCIS 1305 - Basic Computer Applications CSE 10U2
COSC 1309 - Programming Logic and Design CSE 10U3
   

 

CC Policies for Students with Transfer Work


Requirements /
Policies

First-Years (FYRs) and First-Year Transfers (FYTs)
 
Transfers (TRNs): Students with 24+ hours of
post-high school transfer Credit

Academic Writing (AW)

and

Critical Reasoning (CR) Foundation

Students with an SAT-R ERW score of 580 or lower or ACT score of 20 or lower will take WRTR1311, WRTR 1312 and WRTR1313.


Students with an SAT-R ERW score of 580 or higher will take WRTR 1312 and WRTR 1313, or equivalent.


Hilltop Scholars students will take WRTR 2303 and WRTR 2304.


University Honors Program (UHP) students will take WRTR 2305 and WRTR 2306.

 

Satisfied if student transfers WRTR 10XX AND WRTR 10YY; completed as transfer credit.


If dual, concurrent or transfer credit is received for WRTR 10XX OR WRTR 10YY, student must take WRTR 1313.


If WRTR 10XX and WRTR 10YY were both dual/concurrent or test credit, students must take WRTR 1313.


Satisfied if WRTR 10XX is dual/concurrent credit or test credit awarded by a transferring institution AND WRTR 10YY is transfer Credit.

Quantitative Reasoning (QR) Foundation

Can be satisfied with external; dual, concurrent or transfer credit must be petitioned

Can be satisfied with external; dual, concurrent or transfer credit must be petitioned.

Second Language (SLR) Foundation

Can be satisfied using AP or IB credit (with an appropriate score.


Can be satisfied by transcript confirming high school study was instructed in language other than English.


Can be satisfied by transferring a dual credit course equivalent to 3rd semester (2401) or a higher-level course at SMU.


Can be satisfied with post-high school transfer credit equivalent to one of SMU’s 2nd-semester language courses (e.g.,1402).


Can be satisfied by appropriate score on SMU-administered OPI or ASLPI test.

Can be satisfied using AP or IB credit (with an appropriate score.


Can be satisfied by transcript confirming high school study was instructed in language other than English.


Can be satisfied by transferring a dual credit course equivalent to 3rd semester (2401) or a higher-level course at SMU.


Can be satisfied with post-high school transfer credit equivalent to one of SMU’s 2nd-semester language courses (e.g.,1402).


Can be satisfied by appropriate score on SMU-administered OPI or ASLPI test.


Can be satisfied by transferring two consecutive semesters for a minimum of 6 credit hours of the same language taken post-high school (regardless of the transfer equivalency).

Breadths

  1. Creativity & Aesthetics (CA)
  2. Exploring Science (ES)
  3. Historical Contexts (HC)
  4. Literary Analysis & Interpretation (LAI)
  5. Philosophical, Religious, & Ethical Inquiry (PREI)
  6. Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
  7. Technological Advances & Society (TAS)
Up to three Breadths may be satisfied by external credit; four must be from SMU credit. All seven Breadths can be satisfied by external credit.

Proficiencies & Experiences

  1. Civics & Individual Ethics (CIE)
  2. Community Engagement (CE)
  3. Global Perspectives (GPS)
  4. Human Diversity (HD)
  5. Oral Communication (OC)
  6. Quantitative Applications (QA)
  7. Writing (W)
Can be satisfied by external credit or post-high school activities.  All experiences and some dual and transfer credit may be petitioned. Can be satisfied by external credit or post-high school activities.  All experiences and some dual and transfer credit may be petitioned.

Notes:

  • External credit is defined as test, dual, concurrent or transfer credit.
  • Transfer credit is college credit completed after high school graduation but before matriculation to SMU.  This does not include dual or concurrent credit.
  • Dual/concurrent credits are course credits completed prior to high school graduation. Dual credit work is completed through a college (which could be taken at the college or at the high school) that counts for college credit and high school graduation requirements. Concurrent credit is work completed through a college that the high school does not give credit for graduation purposes.

Proficiencies and Experiences Graduation Requirements


All students must demonstrate certain Proficiencies and Experiences (P&E) in order to graduate from SMU. P&Es are met through credit-bearing course work or approved, non-credit activities that have been identified as meeting that requirement.

P&E’s are not specific courses but instead demonstrate that students have developed and refined skills in writing, quantitative applications, and oral communication. P&Es can also be satisfied when undergraduates apply curricular knowledge to the diverse, global communities in which they will live and work.

Students must complete one of each of the P&Es. Unless indicated below, transfer credit does not automatically satisfy P&E’s. If you believe a transfer course meets the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for a particular P&E, you may petition the office of the CC.

 

Proficiencies and Experiences
(1 from each category)
Community Engagement (CE)

Course or Experience

Global Perspectives (GPS) Course or Experience
Human Diversity (HD) - ANTH 2351 (Cultural Anthropology) Course or Experience
Civics and Individual Ethics (CIE) Course or Experience
Oral Communication (OC) - Introductory Speech Course Course or Experience

Quantitative Applications (QA) - ECON 2302 (Microeconomics), MATH 2320 (Differential Equations), or

PHIL 2303 (Logic)

Course or Experience
Writing (W) Course or Experience

An Undergraduate Degree


An undergraduate SMU degree requires a minimum of 120 hours (60 of which must be completed at SMU) and is comprised of:

  1. Courses in your major
  2. Courses that fulfill the Common Curriculum requirements (which may also count for your major and/or minor)
  3. Elective courses (which may be used towards a second major or minor)

By carefully using specific SMU Equivalency Guides for colleges and universities in Texas and across the country, all of your work should transfer to SMU and fall into one of these three categories.

Apply Now!


Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.