Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


How to Read Catalog Course Descriptions

Texas Tech offers nearly 5,000 courses as part of its curriculum. These courses are listed alphabetically by subject prefix within each college and departmental section of this catalog. The courses appear in numerical order, moving from beginning freshman or developmental level courses to graduate, research, and professional courses.

Not all courses listed in this catalog are offered every year. An online class schedule published before each registration period indicates courses that will be available during the upcoming term or semester and when each class will meet. The class schedule can be found at (www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/class_schedule/index.php). The university reserves the right to cancel any scheduled course or withdraw any program from the list of offerings when the best interests of the institution require such action.

Courses are designated by a subject prefix and number along with a descriptive title. Learn more  about interpreting the course descriptions found throughout the catalog.

 

MATH - Mathematics (Graduate Courses)

  
  • MATH 6320 - Representation Theory

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: MATH 5326  and MATH 5327 . An introduction to basic methods and results of representation theory focusing on linear representations of finite groups.
  
  • MATH 6321 - Homological Algebra I: Introduction

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MATH 5326 . Categories, functions, simplicial and singular homology, category of modules over a ring, resolutions, and derived categories.
  
  • MATH 6322 - Homological Algebra II: Applications

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MATH 6321 . Homological dimensions, Koszul homology, local cohomology, duality theories, global dimension and regular rings, Cohen-Macaulay rings.
  
  • MATH 6323 - Algebraic Geometry I

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MATH 5326  or consent of instructor. Covers the basic theory of affine and projective varieties.
  
  • MATH 6324 - Algebraic Geometry II

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MATH 6323  or equivalent. Covers the theory of schemes and the scheme-theoretic concept of a variety.
  
  • MATH 6325 - Category Theory

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: MATH 5326  and MATH 5327  or consent of instructor. Covers the basic theory of categories and functors.
  
  • MATH 6330 - Manifold Theory

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: MATH 5316  and MATH 5318  or permission of instructor. Differentiable manifolds theory: smooth structures, tangent spaces, implicit mapping theorem, embeddings, immersions and submersions, vector fields, tensor analysis, Stokes’ theorem.
  
  • MATH 6331 - Riemannian Geometry

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MATH 5330  or consent of instructor. Affine connections, Riemannian connections, geodesics and geodesic flow, curvatures (Ricci, sectional), spaces of constant curvature. Applications to computer modeling and visualization.
  
  • MATH 6332 - Geometric Mechanics

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MATH 5330  or consent of instructor. Geometric concepts in classical mechanics; Euler-Language equations, Legendre transform and Hamilton’s equations; symplectic manifolds; group actions; momentum maps; Hamiltonian and Lagrangian reduction.
  
  • MATH 6333 - Introduction to Lie Groups and Their Representation

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MATH 5330  or consent of instructor. Lie groups, Lie algebras, exponential map, Lie brackets, representation theory with examples, Peter-Weyl theorem, homogenous and symmetric spaces, applications to ODEs/PDEs arising in physics.
  
  • MATH 6351 - Quantitative Methods with Applications to Financial Data

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Introduction to capital markets, securities pricing, and modern portfolio theory. Numerical exercises and projects in a high-level programming environment will be assigned.
  
  • MATH 6353 - Stochastic Calculus with Applications to Financial Derivatives

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Foundations of stochastic modeling for financial applications, starting with general probability theory leading up to basic results in pricing exotic and American derivatives.
  
  • MATH 6354 - Numerical Partial Differential Equations in Finance

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Valuation of financial options via the numerical solution of partial differential equations and the Black-Scholes approach to option pricing.
  
  • MATH 6355 - Numerical Methods with Applications to Financial Data

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Review of the basic numerical methods for partial differential equations, variational inequalities, and free-boundary problems.
  
  • MATH 6356 - Software Engineering with Financial Applications

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Covers essential C++ topics with applications to finance. Course will focus on numerical analysis and quantitative finance applications.
  
  • MATH 6357 - Stochastic Processes and Applications to Mathematical Finance

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Provides basic introduction into probability theory and stochastic processes, mixing them in financial applications. Discuss modelling financial markets with stochastic processes.
  
  • MATH 7000 - Research

    V1-12 Semester Credit Hours
  
  • MATH 8000 - Doctor’s Dissertation

    V1-12 Semester Credit Hours

MBIO - Microbiology (Undergraduate Courses)

  
  • MBIO 3303 - Microbiomes

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: BIOL 1403  and BIOL 1404 . Microbiomes are universal and essential to human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health. This course deeply examines microbiome diversity, function, sequencing methods, bioinformatics, and key controversies. [BIOL 6301 ]
  
  • MBIO 3400 - Microbiology

    4 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ZOOL 2403  or BIOL 1402 , or equivalent; CHEM 1305  or CHEM 1307 . Morphology, physiology, and activities of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Primarily for students of agriculture, food and nutrition, animal science, secondary education, nursing, and others seeking an advanced science elective. Includes a lab. May not be applied to degree requirements for biological sciences majors.
  
  • MBIO 3401 - Principles of Microbiology

    4 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: BIOL 1402  or BIOL 1403  and BIOL 1404 ; prerequisite or corequisite CHEM 3305 . Morphology, physiology, and classification of microorganisms. Includes a lab.
  
  • MBIO 4303 - Physiology of Bacteria

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MBIO 3401 . Anatomy and physiology of the bacterial cell. A molecular approach. (CL)
  
  • MBIO 4310 - Introduction to Virology

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: C or better in MBIO 3401  or BIOL 3320  or instructor consent. An introduction to virus structure, propagation and transmission, with a main focus on the molecular mechanisms of replication of viruses from eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
  
  • MBIO 4311 - Biofilms

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: C or better in MBIO 3400  or MBIO 3401 . Explores the community-associated of microorganisms and how competition and cooperativity within these communities can be either beneficial or detrimental to human health.
  
  • MBIO 4367 - Molecular Pathogenesis of Protozoans

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MBIO 3401 . The basic biology and fundamental mechanism of pathogenesis of protozoan parasites. (CL)
  
  • MBIO 4401 - Microbial Ecology

    4 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MBIO 3401  or BIOL 3309 . An examination of the population and community ecology of bacteria and fungi, and the roles of these organisms in ecosystem processes. Includes a lab. (CL)
  
  • MBIO 4402 - Immunology and Serology

    4 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MBIO 3401  or BIOL 3320  or CHEM 3312 . The fundamental biology of the human immune system, including immune responses to microorganisms and inflammatory diseases. The associated laboratory covers serological techniques and methods of immune cell identification.
  
  • MBIO 4403 - The Biology of Fungi

    4 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: C- or higher in BIOL 1403  and BIOL 1404  or equivalent, MBIO 3401  is recommended, or instructor consent. An in-depth coverage of fungal taxonomy, physiology, genetics, cell biology, ecology and evolution, with lab activities focusing on identification and culture of fungi.
  
  • MBIO 4404 - Pathogenic Microbiology

    4 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MBIO 3401 . A detailed study of pathogenic microorganisms. Includes a laboratory discussion of medical case studies. Includes a lab.
  
  • MBIO 4406 - The Genetics of Microorganisms

    4 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MBIO 3401  or instructor consent. The principles of genetic systems existing among microorganisms, with emphasis upon bacteria and bacteriophages. Includes a lab. Includes a lab.

MBIO - Microbiology (Graduate Courses)

  
  • MBIO 5301 - Advanced General Microbiology

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: CHEM 3305  and CHEM 3306  or equivalent. Content is similar to that of MBIO 3401 except that readings or original research in one area of microbiology is required. May not be taken for credit by students who have taken MBIO 3401 . F, S.
  
  • MBIO 5303 - Microbe-Plant Interactions

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MBIO 3400  or MBIO 3401  or BIOL 3420 or BOT 3401 . Biochemical, molecular, genetic, and ecological basis of pathogenic and symbiotic microbe-plant interactions. F, even years.
  
  • MBIO 5401 - Current Perspectives in Microbial Ecology

    4 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: BIOL 3309 , or MBIO 3401 , or equivalent; or consent of instructor. Course will examine specific theories and concepts concerning ecology of the soil microflora and microfauna, and the roles of these organisms in ecosystem functioning.
  
  • MBIO 5403 - Immunobiology

    4 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Content is similar to that of MBIO 4402  except that readings or research in one area of immunology is required. May not be taken for credit by students who have taken MBIO 4402 . S.
  
  • MBIO 5404 - Pathogenic Microbiology

    4 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: C or better in MBIO 3401  or MBIO 5401 ; may not be taken for credit by students who have received credit for MBIO 4404 . A detailed study of pathogenic microorganisms.
  
  • MBIO 5408 - Microbial Genetics

    4 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MBIO 3401 , or MBIO 5301 ,or equivalent; or consent of instructor. Topics include current techniques of genetic analysis, molecular biology, molecular genetics, nucleic acid metabolism, and gene regulation in microorganisms, with emphasis on bacteria and bacteriophages. May not be taken for credit by students who have taken MBIO 4406 .
  
  • MBIO 6000 - Master’s Thesis

    V1-6 Semester Credit Hours
  
  • MBIO 6302 - Advanced Bacterial Physiology

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MBIO 3401  or MBIO 5301 ; 12 semester hours of chemistry, including biochemistry or concurrent registration; consent of instructor. Advanced study of bacterial physiology. S.
  
  • MBIO 6306 - General Virology

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. An introduction to the biology of animal, bacterial, and plant viruses. S.
  
  • MBIO 6311 - Advanced Biofilms

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Delves into primary literature surrounding the latest advances in biofilm research to demonstrate the beneficial and detrimental impacts of biofilms while promoting independent scientific reasoning.
  
  • MBIO 6367 - Molecular Biology of Parasitism

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: MBIO 3401 , BIOL 3320 , or equivalent. The molecular biology and pathogenesis of parasites.

MCOM - Mass Communications (Undergraduate Courses)

  
  • MCOM 1100 - Success in Media and Communication

    1 Semester Credit Hours
    Introduces students to media and communications academic programs and professional career opportunities. Provides a structured approach to academic, social, and personal success in the university.
  
  • MCOM 1300 - Foundations of Media and Communication

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    TCCNS: [COMM1307] A broad survey of media history, principles, and practices up to the modern era, with particular emphasis on print media, broadcasting, advertising, and public relations. Fulfills core Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement.
  
  • MCOM 1301 - Introduction to Digital and Social Media

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    An introduction to online, interactive, digital and social media and how and why they affect individuals, society, and everything and everyone in the world, from war and politics, to love and relationships, to careers and hobbies, to news and entertainment.
  
  • MCOM 1302 - Introduction to Sports Media

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Explores the sports media industry and presents an overview of sports communication or media roles in an interdisciplinary sector that involves traditional media discipline skills, including journalism, broadcast, creative media, advertising, and public relations.
  
  • MCOM 2301 - Visual Storytelling

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Designed to immerse students in visual storytelling and help them learn to examine aesthetic, ethical, and intercultural issues related to the creative art of telling stories using a visual format. Fulfills core Creative Arts requirement.
  
  • MCOM 2310 - Business and Professional Communication

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Develops the communication skills used in business and organizations, including writing and delivering speeches, responding to requests for proposals, and creating multimedia presentations. Fulfills core Communication (Oral) requirement. (CL)
  
  • MCOM 2320 - Writing for Media and Communication

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Introduction to professional and academic writing for the media disciplines. Focuses on writing appreciation and mechanics, as well as specific writing strategies for journalism, the web, advertising, public relations, business, and the academy. (CL)
  
  • MCOM 2330 - Media Literacy

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Critiques and analyzes media, the audience, the mediated environment, media industry, digital media, and media professions, particularly advertising, electronic media, public relations, and journalism. Fulfills core Language, Philosophy, and Culture requirement. (CL)
  
  • MCOM 2350 - Communicating in a Global Society

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Engages international and intercultural communication to enable students to become effective communicators with others in an increasingly diverse global society. Fulfills multicultural requirement. (CL)
  
  • MCOM 3300 - Theories of Media and Communication

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Theory-based exploration of the relationship between the mass media and society, such as aggression and television violence.
  
  • MCOM 3303 - Sex and Violence in the Media

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Introduces issues surrounding the prevalence of sex and violence in the media, including free speech, viewer motivations, market forces, and media effects.
  
  • MCOM 3320 - Media and Communication Law

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    A study of the legal problems facing media and communication practitioners, including libel, privacy, industry regulation, Internet communications, intellectual property/copyright, sex-themed media content, and ethical decision making in a globalized world.
  
  • MCOM 3380 - Research Methods in Media and Communication

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: C or better in MATH 2300  or MATH 2345 . Comprehensive overview of mass communications research focusing on planning, designing, conducting, analyzing, interpreting, and applying research to address communication issues and problems.
  
  • MCOM 3390 - Internship in Media Strategies

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: 2. 5 TTU GPA, C or better in MCOM 1300 , MCOM 2310 , MCOM 2320  and recommendation of faculty member and internship coordinator. Minimum of 160 hours of supervised employment in media or communication organization. Weekly reports, interviews, and term paper required.
  
  • MCOM 4000 - Special Problems in Media and Communication

    V1-3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Individual research on approved problems or projects in mass communications areas. May be repeated for 3 hours credit.
  
  • MCOM 4301 - Special Topics in Media and Communication

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Considers selected topics in media and communication. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.

MCOM - Mass Communications (Graduate Courses)

  
  • MCOM 5160 - Proseminar in Mass Communications

    1 Semester Credit Hours
    Designed to bring together students and faculty for professional and academic interchange with emphasis on research interests of faculty and advanced graduate students. Pass/fail only.
  
  • MCOM 5310 - Strategic Communication Planning and Writing

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Utilizes a case method approach to examine best practices across a variety of contexts offering students hands-on experience in developing a strategic communication plan. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5312 - Media Management, Entrepreneurship and Consulting

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Explores the management needs and entrepreneurial efforts occurring in the traditional and digital media industries, as well as the role that consultants and freelancers play. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5314 - Strategic Communication in a Global Environment

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Offers an investigation of the challenges and opportunities involved with practicing strategic communication in a complex global environment. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5316 - Communication in Organizations

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Examines contemporary organizational practice and organizational communication theory, along with current research and applications of issues related to human communication in workplace settings. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5318 - Advanced Social Media Practice

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Survey of best practices and current trends in the use of social media as a tool for strategic communications. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5321 - Production of Digital Media Content

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Introduces students to fundamental web design in the context of human-computer interaction with a focus on design principles, aesthetics, usability, and interactivity. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5322 - Multimedia Story Telling

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Focuses on a multimedia approach to storytelling in strategic communication practice. Heavy emphasis on mobile technology and social media. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5324 - Audience/Data Analysis and Reporting

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Collecting, using, analyzing, and presenting data and metrics as a means of understanding reach, target audience opinion/attitude/behavior, and message effectiveness. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5326 - Risk Communication/Management

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Survey of research and theory relevant to risk communication with an emphasis on the application to real-world risk scenarios.
  
  • MCOM 5332 - Special Topics in Strategic Communication

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    A rotating topics course examining best practices in areas related to strategic communication. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5334 - Interpersonal Communication

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Covers research and application of interpersonal communication theory as it relates to human relations in personal and professional contexts. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5344 - Seminar in Public Opinion and Propaganda

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    A study of propaganda theory and methods. Investigation of how public opinion is formed and influenced.
  
  • MCOM 5347 - Studies in International Communications

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    A critical examination of the structure, control, and performance of the media systems of nations and regions.
  
  • MCOM 5349 - Administration of Communications Media

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Problems of executive planning and management of newspapers, magazines, and broadcast media. For mass communications majors only.
  
  • MCOM 5350 - STEM Leadership Communication Capstone

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Students will complete the capstone project for the graduate certificate in STEM Leadership Communication.
  
  • MCOM 5362 - Seminar in Mass Communications

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    A comprehensive exploration of theory and research into the social, psychological, and economic problems affecting modern mass communications.
  
  • MCOM 5364 - Research Methods

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Basic communications research designs: exploratory, survey, experimental, content, and secondary analysis. Measures of central tendency, contingency analysis, correlation analysis. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5366 - Seminar in Mass Communications Theory

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    In-depth study of the theory and epistemology of mass communications. Integration, comparison, and extension of theories with respect to a specific problem area including practice in development of research hypotheses. Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 5370 - Internship in Mass Communications

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Supervised experience in an established career-related area of mass communications. May not be substituted for MCOM 6050.
  
  • MCOM 5374 - Data Analysis

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: B or higher in MCOM 5364 . The use and interpretation of statistics for data analysis. Covers the selection of statistical techniques, the use of statistics packages, and the interpretation of results.
  
  • MCOM 6000 - Master’s Thesis

    V1-6 Semester Credit Hours
  
  • MCOM 6050 - Master’s Report

    V1-6 Semester Credit Hours
    Media & Communication students only.
  
  • MCOM 6302 - Mass Communications Pedagogy

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    In-depth study of and research into effective teaching methods for mass communications faculty in their specialized fields.
  
  • MCOM 6310 - Contemporary Issues in Communications Technology

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Seminar in the social, political, and economic impacts of communications technologies. Topics include diffusion of innovations, global communications systems, and audience research.
  
  • MCOM 6315 - Integrated Communications Campaigns

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Seminar in managing and analyzing the success of integrated communications campaigns.
  
  • MCOM 6330 - Seminar in Media and Sport

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Examines the interaction of mass media and sport, including the related history; media economics; and the use of media by athletes, teams, and organizations.
  
  • MCOM 6336 - Digital Media

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Students will put web usage into the context of human-computer interaction and discuss design principles, aesthetics, usability, and interactivity. Students will learn coding basics.
  
  • MCOM 6364 - Selected Research Methods

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: B or higher in MCOM 5364  and MCOM 5374 . Rotating research methods course focusing on experimental, survey, content analysis or others. May be repeated twice when topics vary.
  
  • MCOM 6366 - Advanced Mass Communications Theory

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: MCOM 5366 . Explores philosophical foundations underlying the social scientific approach and investigate the fundamental components of social scientific theory as a tool of scientists.
  
  • MCOM 7000 - Research

    V1-12 Semester Credit Hours
  
  • MCOM 8000 - Doctor’s Dissertation

    V1-12 Semester Credit Hours

ME - Mechanical Engineering (Undergraduate Courses)

  
  • ME 2115 - Introduction to Programming Lab

    1 Semester Credit Hours
    Introduction to programming fundamentals needed for basic engineering analyses through laboratory exercises; focuses on text-based programming.
  
  • ME 2301 - Statics

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: MATH 1452 , PHYS 1408 . Analyses of particles, rigid bodies, trusses, frames, and machines in static equilibrium with applied forces and couples.
  
  • ME 2302 - Dynamics

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: C or better in MATH 2450  and ME 2301 . Kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies.
  
  • ME 2315 - Computer-Aided Analysis

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: ENGR 1315 , PHYS 1408 , MATH 1452 . Introduces numerical methods used in the solution of typical engineering problems. Includes design activity.
  
  • ME 2322 - Engineering Thermodynamics I

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: PHYS 1408 , MATH 1452 . Properties of pure substances, ideal gas behavior, first and second law analysis, and applications to energy conversion and power cycles.
  
  • ME 3164 - Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

    1 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ME 3403  (may be taken concurrently). Introduces students to the use of finite element analysis software to perform load and stress analysis on mechanical components.
  
  • ME 3165 - Computational Fluid Dynamics

    1 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ME 3370 . Introduces students to computer-based analysis and design of fluid/thermal systems.
  
  • ME 3215 - Numerical Methods

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: ME 2215, MATH 3350 . Majors only. Introduction to numerical methods used in the solution of engineering problems.
  
  • ME 3228 - Materials and Mechanics Laboratory

    2 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: ME 2301  and ME 3311 , PHYS 2401 . Evaluating and reporting the characteristics of materials and mechanical systems.
  
  • ME 3311 - Materials Science

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisites: CHEM 1307 , CHEM 1107  and ME 2301 . Fundamental and applied knowledge of the structure and properties of materials.
  
  • ME 3322 - Engineering Thermodynamics II

    3 Semester Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ME 2322 . Principles of thermodynamics for general systems, cycle analysis, availability and irreversibility, thermodynamics of state, thermodynamics of nonreacting and reacting mixtures. Includes design activity.
 

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