Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science

For other uses, see Tams (disambiguation).
Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science
Location
Denton, Texas
United States
Information
Type Public, residential
Established 1987
Dean Glênisson de Oliveira
Grades 11th and 12th
Enrollment 376
Campus size 869 acres (3.3 km²)
Campus type Suburban
Website http://www.tams.unt.edu/

The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) is a two-year residential early entrance college program serving approximately 375 students at the University of North Texas. Students are admitted from every region of the state.[1] TAMS is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology.

TAMS was established in 1987 by the Texas legislature, in order to provide high school students an opportunity to take advanced coursework in math, science, and engineering.[2][3] TAMS operates wholly within the University of North Texas.[4] Students take UNT classes for their two years at TAMS, and graduate with a TAMS high school diploma, as well as a UNT college transcript with a minimum of 57 hours of transferable college credits.[5]

Admissions

Applicants are limited to Texas residents who are sophomores in high school. Applicants must complete Algebra II prior to admission and must take the SAT no later than January of their sophomore year.[6] Selected applicants are then invited to interview at one of TAMS's "Interview Days." During Interview Day, applicants take algebra diagnostic tests.[7]

Texas Education Code, Section 105.301. TAMS is required "to identify exceptionally gifted and intelligent high school students at the junior and senior levels and offer them a challenging education to maximize their development".[8]

Pre-Calculus, normally a requirement for math and science programs, is not a prerequisite, indicating TAMS is not completely college level. Pre-Calculus credit is normally only useful for non-STEM majors. This is an indication that TAMS focuses on selecting students with high potential rather than meeting an existing need for accomplished students.

Academics

Core subjects required for graduation include biology, chemistry, physics (mechanics and electromagnetism), mathematics (precalculus and calculus), English literature, US history, and political science.[9] Students are also required to attend a biweekly seminar, which includes presentations covering academic topics like research opportunities and nonacademic topics.

All core courses must be taken at TAMS/UNT during the fall and spring semesters. The minimum cumulative GPA required for graduation is 3.0. Students whose GPA drops below this threshold are put on academic probation, and may be dismissed.[10]

Tuition and fees

TAMS students are responsible for paying for room and board in McConnell Hall and $1300 program charge.[11][12] Thirty percent of students receive financial aid to defray costs.[13] UNT tuition, books, and all other fees are paid for by the TAMS program. Funding for TAMS is provided through a special appropriations bill and with support from the Foundation School Fund.[14]

Research, scholarships, and awards

Students at TAMS are encouraged to take the opportunity of conducting research under the guidance of a professor either on or off-campus during the school year as well as the summer.[15] The TAMS Summer Research Scholarship is offered to about 60 students per year to fund these research pursuits.[16] Students' research may be recognized by professors listing a student as co-author of a papers or by awards at competitions such as Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Science and Technology and the Intel Science Talent Search. A number of students also compete for the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.

Student life

Clubs and events

TAMS students participate in the UNT community through activities such as community service projects and tutoring. TAMS has a number of student activities and events, ranging from academic clubs like Computer Science Organization and Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) to performance groups like Academy Players (theater) and Dull Roar (music), to cultural groups such as FACES (Fellowship for the Advancement of Cultural Education for Students).[17] A complete list of clubs is available here. In addition to clubs, the McConnell Hall Association functions as a part of the UNT Residential Hall Association.

Students may also participate in yearly or more frequent events such as proms, school dances, coffee houses, and an annual talent show.

McConnell Hall

All TAMS students live in McConnell Hall. The hall consists of three floors, segregated by gender. The hall is furnished with a kitchenette, multiple meeting rooms, and two common rooms. One of the common rooms, the Smitty Study, serves as a public recreation room when it is not functioning as a study area during quiet hours. The other common room, Mac Café, aptly named because it once was home to a university cafeteria, hosts various student activities and serves as a gathering place for both academic and social interaction.

References

  1. ↑ https://tams.unt.edu/admissions/enrollment
  2. ↑ Texas Education Code, Title 3, Subtitle F, 105.301 (http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/SOTWDocs/ED/htm/ED.105.htm)
  3. ↑ http://tams.unt.edu/admissions/eligibility
  4. ↑ http://tams.unt.edu/
  5. ↑ http://tams.unt.edu/admissions/eligibility
  6. ↑ http://tams.unt.edu/admissions/eligibility
  7. ↑ http://tams.unt.edu/admissions/how-to-apply
  8. ↑ http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/SOTWDocs/ED/htm/ED.105.htm
  9. ↑ https://tams.unt.edu/academics/academic-program
  10. ↑ https://tams.unt.edu/academics/academic-program#dismissal
  11. ↑ https://tams.unt.edu/static/admissions/forms/2013programcharge.pdf
  12. ↑ https://tams.unt.edu/admissions/cost-attendance
  13. ↑ http://tams.unt.edu/admissions/how-to-apply
  14. ↑ https://tams.unt.edu/admissions/cost-attendance
  15. ↑ https://tams.unt.edu/research
  16. ↑ https://tams.unt.edu/research
  17. ↑ https://tams.unt.edu/studentlife/clubinfo

External links