Texas A&M University
Here is a personalized summary of the current course requirements and recommendations for undergraduate elementary teacher candidates at Texas A&M University, and a detailed analysis of the content covered by those requirements. This tool also offers a recommended set of courses providing the most content coverage for any candidate.
Catalog Year: 2021-2022
Texas A&M University
This tool provides individual preparation programs with a customized analysis of the courses required by the undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program and by the institution’s undergraduate general education courses to determine how well these requirements cover essential content in science. This tool also uses information about existing coursework on their campuses to provide guidance on a recommended course sequence.
This is a summary of the coverage of science content for undergraduate elementary candidates at your institution.
To determine if an elementary teacher preparation program provides adequate coverage¹ in the primary subject area of science through its own requirements or the institution’s requirements, we ask three sequential questions exploring:
- Evidence of any science coverage;
- Evidence of coverage of the three science themes; and
- Evidence coursework encompasses the nine topics of science knowledge required of elementary teachers.
Texas A&M University's Coverage
Coverage of Subject
Does the institution or teacher preparation program require elementary candidates complete any courses in science?
The institution/program recommends or requires candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as science.
The institution/program does not require or recommend candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as science.
Theme Coverage
Within science, there are five themes. Does the institution or teacher preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the themes classified under science are covered?
The coursework required or recommended for elementary candidates at this institution covers all five themes in science: 1. Life Science, 2. Physical Science, 3. Earth and Space Science, 4. Engineering, and 5. Pedagogy.
The coursework required or recommended for of elementary candidates at this institution does not cover all five themes in science: 1. Life Science, 2. Physical Science, 3. Earth and Space Science, 4. Engineering, and 5. Pedagogy.
Topic Coverage
Within the five themes of science are nine topics common to teaching elementary students. Does this institution or preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the nine topics classified under science are covered?
Elementary education candidates at this institution must complete at least one course covering each of the nine topics.
Elementary education candidates at this institution are not required to take courses covering each of the nine topics.
What are the nine topics of Science content?

References
- For these purposes, credit for “coverage” is awarded to the program whether the course is mandated through general education requirements for the institution at large or the specific requirements of the educator preparation program.
This tool illuminates:
- What course options are available to satisfy general education or teacher preparation Requirement Categories;
- What courses are required or recommended, either through general education requirements or the teacher preparation program; and
- Whether courses cover the themes and topics of science content knowledge.
The aim of this tool is to provide an understanding of which courses are most likely to yield the most coverage possible of the content critical for elementary teachers. Because candidates can often choose from a list of courses to meet a Requirement Category, this table provides insight into which of those courses will be most relevant to elementary teaching.
How are Requirements Determined?
Analysts identify both the general education and program graduation requirements found in public-facing materials.
By reviewing each Requirement Category and available course options, analysts identify courses addressing science and social studies content relevant to elementary teachers. The course analysis table indicates what themes and topics each course covers.


Texas A&M University's Content Coverage Analysis
Filter Course Options By Requirement Category
Themes: | Pedagogy | Life Science | Physical Science | Earth & Space Sciences | Engineering | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Topics (hover to see name): |
ACross-cutting Concepts |
BScientific and Engineering Practices |
CInterdependent Relationships in Ecosystems |
DInheritance and Variation of Traits |
EForces, Waves, and Energy |
FStructure and Properties of Matter |
GSpace Systems |
HEarth's Systems and Processes |
IEngineering Design |
Extensive ListInstitution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic. |
|||||||||
BIOL 111/123Introductory Biology I |
|||||||||
BIOL 113/123Essentials in Biology |
|||||||||
CHEM 106/116Molecular Science for Citizens |
|||||||||
CHEM 119Fundamentals of Chemistry I. |
|||||||||
GEOL 101/102Principles of Geology |
|||||||||
GEOG 203/213Planet Earth |
|||||||||
ASTR 101/102Basic Astronomy |
|||||||||
PHYS 205Concepts of Physics |
|||||||||
PHYS 125Soft Matter Physics for Non-physicists |
Continue Reading
See the recommended course sequence for your institution.
Here NCTQ outlines (1) the set of courses providing candidates with the content most aligned with what elementary teachers need within current institution and program requirements, and (2) suggestions for courses to fill in gaps where candidates still lack coverage.
"Most Aligned" Set of Courses
-
Science Requirement 01
BIOL 111/123 - Introductory Biology I
-
Science Requirement 02
CHEM 119 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I.
-
Science Requirement 03
ASTR 101/102 - Basic Astronomy
-
Science Requirement 04
MASC 420 - Inquiries in Life and Earth Sciences
-
Science Requirement 05
MASC 320 - Inquiries in Physical Science
-
Science Requirement 06
TEFB 413 - Science in the Elementary School
How to Improve Content Coverage
Using the “Most Aligned” Set of Courses, current course requirements can address up to 88.89% coverage of science topics.
The topics still lacking coverage include:
- Engineering Design
To improve content coverage, the institution or teacher preparation program may need to require additional courses for their candidates to achieve coverage across all topics. Our analysts identified the following courses to cover these topics:
- Engineering Design: No applicable courses found in NCTQ's analysis
Analysis of Content Covered by "Most Aligned" Set of Courses
= Course is Currently Recommended or Required by Program
Download RecommendationsThemes: | Pedagogy | Life Science | Physical Science | Earth & Space Sciences | Engineering | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Topics (hover to see name): |
ACross-cutting Concepts |
BScientific and Engineering Practices |
CInterdependent Relationships in Ecosystems |
DInheritance and Variation of Traits |
EForces, Waves, and Energy |
FStructure and Properties of Matter |
GSpace Systems |
HEarth's Systems and Processes |
IEngineering Design |
||||
ASTR 101/102Basic Astronomy |
|||||||||||||
BIOL 111/123Introductory Biology I |
|||||||||||||
CHEM 119Fundamentals of Chemistry I. |
|||||||||||||
MASC 420Inquiries in Life and Earth Sciences |
|||||||||||||
MASC 320Inquiries in Physical Science |
|||||||||||||
TEFB 413Science in the Elementary School |
|||||||||||||
Total Content Covered: 88.89% | |||||||||||||
If a candidate takes the above courses, this is the topic coverage they would experience overall: |
Catalog Year: 2021-2022
Texas A&M University
This tool provides individual preparation programs with a customized analysis of the courses required by the undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program and by the institution’s undergraduate general education courses to determine how well these requirements cover essential content in social studies. This tool also uses information about existing coursework on their campuses to provide guidance on a recommended course sequence.
This is a summary of the coverage of social studies¹ content for undergraduate elementary candidates at your institution.
To determine if an elementary teacher preparation program provides adequate coverage² in the primary subject area of social studies through its own requirements or the institution’s requirements, we ask three sequential questions exploring:
Texas A&M University's Coverage
Coverage of Subject
Does the institution or teacher preparation program require elementary candidates complete any courses in social studies?
The institution/program recommends or requires candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as social studies.
The institution/program does not require or recommend candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as social studies.
Theme Coverage
Within social studies, there are six themes. Does the institution or teacher preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the themes classified under social studies are covered?
The coursework required of elementary candidates at this institution covers all six themes in social studies: 1. Civics, 2. Economics, 3. History, 4. Geography, 5. Culture & Identity, and 6. Pedagogy.
The coursework required of elementary candidates at this institution does not cover all six themes in social studies: 1. Civics, 2. Economics, 3. History, 4. Geography, 5. Culture & Identity, and 6. Pedagogy.
Topic Coverage
Within the six themes of social studies are thirteen topics common to teaching elementary students. Does this institution or preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the thirteen topics classified under social studies are covered?
Elementary education candidates at this institution must complete at least one course covering each of the thirteen topics.
Elementary education candidates at this institution are not required to take courses covering each of the thirteen topics.
What are the thirteen topics of Social Studies content?
References
Continue Reading
See a detailed course analysis for your institution.
This tool illuminates:
The aim of this tool is to provide an understanding of which courses are most likely to yield the most coverage possible of the content critical for elementary teachers. Because candidates can often choose from a list of courses to meet a Requirement Category, this table provides insight into which of those courses will be most relevant to elementary teaching.
How are Requirements Categories Determined?
Analysts identify both the general education and program graduation requirements found in public-facing materials.
By reviewing each Requirement Category and available course options, analysts identify courses addressing science and social studies content relevant to elementary teachers. The course analysis table indicates what themes and topics each course covers.
View the Course Catalog
Texas A&M University's Content Coverage Analysis
Filter Course Options By Requirement Category
Identity
A
Political institutions, Participation, Rules, and Laws
B
Economic Principles and Exchange
C
The Economy
D
European Exploration and Colonization (up to 1700)
E
The American Revolution and Founding (1700s)
F
Growth and Expansion of the American Republic (up to 1900)
G
Twentieth Century and Beyond
H
Pre-Columbian and/or Ancient Civilizations
I
Twentieth Century and Beyond
J
Geographic Representations
K
Human-Environment Interactions
L
Diverse Perspectives
M
Cross-cutting Concepts
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
PHYS 205
Concepts of Physics
PHYS 125
Soft Matter Physics for Non-physicists
BIOL 111/123
Introductory Biology I
BIOL 113/123
Essentials in Biology
CHEM 106/116
Molecular Science for Citizens
CHEM 119
Fundamentals of Chemistry I.
GEOL 101/102
Principles of Geology
GEOG 203/213
Planet Earth
ASTR 101/102
Basic Astronomy
PHYS 205
Concepts of Physics
PHYS 125
Soft Matter Physics for Non-physicists
KINE 120
The Science of Basic Health and Fitness
BIOL 111/123
Introductory Biology I
BIOL 113/123
Essentials in Biology
CHEM 106/116
Molecular Science for Citizens
CHEM 119
Fundamentals of Chemistry I.
GEOL 101/102
Principles of Geology
GEOG 203/213
Planet Earth
ASTR 101/102
Basic Astronomy
PHYS 205
Concepts of Physics
PHYS 125
Soft Matter Physics for Non-physicists
BIOL 111/123
Introductory Biology I
BIOL 113/123
Essentials in Biology
CHEM 106/116
Molecular Science for Citizens
CHEM 119
Fundamentals of Chemistry I.
GEOL 101/102
Principles of Geology
GEOG 203/213
Planet Earth
ASTR 101/102
Basic Astronomy
MASC 420
Inquiries in Life and Earth Sciences
MASC 320
Inquiries in Physical Science
TEFB 413
Science in the Elementary School
GEOG 202
Geography of the Global Village
GEOG 301
Geography of the United States
GEOG 305
Geography of Texas
HIST 101
Western Civilization to 1660
HIST 102
Western Civilization Since 1660
HIST 103
World History to 1500
HIST 104
World History Since 1500
HIST 105
History of the United States
HIST 106
History of the United States
HIST 226
History of Texas
POLS 206
American National Government
POLS 207
State and Local Government
ECON 202
Principles of Economics
ECON 203
Principles of Economics
GEOG 201
Introduction to Human Geography
GEOG 304
Economic Geography
HIST 301
Blacks in the United States Since 1877
HIST 308
History of American Indians in the U.S. South
HIST 330
Women in Ancient Greece and Rome
HIST 348
Modern Middle East
HIST 373
The Great Depression and World War II
HIST 418
Intellectual History from the Ancient Near East to the Early Middle Ages
HIST 461
History of American Women
TEFB 410
Social Studies and the Humanities in the Elementary School
Continue Reading
See the recommended courses for elementary candidates at your institution.
Here NCTQ outlines (1) the set of courses providing candidates with the content most aligned with what elementary teachers need within current institution and program requirements, and (2) suggestions for courses to fill in gaps where candidates still lack coverage.
"Most Aligned" Set of Courses
GEOG 305 - Geography of Texas
HIST 105 - History of the United States
HIST 226 - History of Texas
POLS 206 - American National Government
POLS 207 - State and Local Government
ECON 202 - Principles of Economics
HIST 348 - Modern Middle East
TEFB 410 - Social Studies and the Humanities in the Elementary School
How to Improve Content Coverage
Using the “Most Aligned” Set of Courses, current course requirements can address up to 92.31% coverage of social studies topics.
The topics still lacking coverage include:
To improve content coverage, the institution or teacher preparation program may need to require additional courses for their candidates to achieve coverage across all topics. Our analysts identified the following courses to cover these topics:
Analysis of Content Covered with "Most Aligned" Set of Courses
= Course is Currently Recommended or Required by Program
Download RecommendationsIdentity
A
Political institutions, Participation, Rules, and Laws
B
Economic Principles and Exchange
C
The Economy
D
European Exploration and Colonization (up to 1700)
E
The American Revolution and Founding (1700s)
F
Growth and Expansion of the American Republic (up to 1900)
G
Twentieth Century and Beyond
H
Pre-Columbian and/or Ancient Civilizations
I
Twentieth Century and Beyond
J
Geographic Representations
K
Human-Environment Interactions
L
Diverse Perspectives
M
Cross-cutting Concepts
GEOG 305
Geography of Texas
HIST 105
History of the United States
HIST 226
History of Texas
POLS 206
American National Government
POLS 207
State and Local Government
ECON 202
Principles of Economics
HIST 348
Modern Middle East
TEFB 410
Social Studies and the Humanities in the Elementary School
If a candidate takes the above courses, this is the topic coverage they would experience overall:
Continue Reading