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Encyclopedia > Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science
Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science
Location
Denton, Texas, USA
Information
Principal Dr. Richard Sinclair
Type Residential Public
Grades 11th and 12th
Campus Suburban
Campus size 860 acres (3.3 km²)
Mascot N/A
Color(s) Black
Established 1987
Enrollment 380
Homepage

The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) is a two-year residential early college entrance program serving approximately 380 Texans at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. It is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... Image File history File links Unbalanced_scales. ... Tams may refer to: Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, an early college entrance program The Tams, an American vocal group Category: ... Motto: North of Ordinary Location within the state of Texas County Denton County Government  - Mayor Perry McNeill Area  - City 161. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... A boarding school is a usually fee-charging school where some or all pupils not only study, but also live during term time, with their fellow students and possibly teachers. ... The term public school has three distinct meanings: In the USA and Canada, elementary or secondary school supported and administered by state and local officials. ... Illustration of the backyards of a surburban neighbourhood Suburbs are inhabited districts located either on the outer rim of a city or outside the official limits of a city (the term varies from country to country), or the outer elements of a conurbation. ... Early college entrance programs are educational opportunities for groups of gifted students that allow them to be accelerated into college one or more years before the traditional age of college entrance. ... “UNT” redirects here. ... Motto: North of Ordinary Location within the state of Texas County Denton County Government  - Mayor Perry McNeill Area  - City 161. ... National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology (NCSSSMST) is an alliance of specialized high schools in the United States whose focus is advanced preparatory studies in mathematics, science and technology. ...


Each year TAMS admits approximately 200 new students following their 10th grade year of high school. These students are entered into full-time college studies and proceed to earn two years of college credit that is transferable in some situations while at the same time earning a high school diploma. Typical TAMS students receive both a high school diploma and more than 60 college credits, allowing them to enter university with enough credit to qualify as a junior. For other uses, see High school (disambiguation). ... College (Latin collegium) is a term most often used today to denote an educational institution. ...

Contents

Academics

Core subjects required for graduation with a TAMS diploma are Biology, Chemistry, Physics (mechanics and electromagnetism), mathematics (including at least Precalculus through Calculus II), English literature, American history, and Political Science. Biology studies the variety of life (clockwise from top-left) E. coli, tree fern, gazelle, Goliath beetle Biology (from Greek: βίος, bio, life; and λόγος, logos, knowledge), also referred to as the biological sciences, is the study of living organisms utilizing the scientific method. ... For other uses, see Chemistry (disambiguation). ... A magnet levitating above a high-temperature superconductor demonstrates the Meissner effect. ... Classical mechanics (commonly confused with Newtonian mechanics, which is a subfield thereof) is used for describing the motion of macroscopic objects, from projectiles to parts of machinery, as well as astronomical objects, such as spacecraft, planets, stars, and galaxies. ... Electromagnetism is the physics of the electromagnetic field: a field which exerts a force on particles that possess the property of electric charge, and is in turn affected by the presence and motion of those particles. ... For other meanings of mathematics or uses of math and maths, see Mathematics (disambiguation) and Math (disambiguation). ... In mathematics education, precalculus, an advanced form of secondary school algebra, is a foundational mathematical discipline. ... For other uses, see Calculus (disambiguation). ... The term English literature refers to literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; Joseph Conrad was Polish, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, Salman Rushdie is Indian, V.S... American history redirects here. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      Political Science is the field concerning the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behaviour. ...


In addition, a seminar course must be attended regularly. The seminar includes presentations by speakers, covering topics such as research opportunities and etiquette. It has been suggested that Office etiquette be merged into this article or section. ...


All core courses must be taken at TAMS/UNT during the Fall and Spring semesters. All courses, including electives, must be taken in standard format — that is, none can be taken on-line or by correspondence. The minimum cumulative GPA required for graduation is 3.0. Students who fail to keep up their grades are disallowed from returning to the Academy the following semester. 15 students were dismissed at the end of Fall 2006. In the United States, grading is done with several different systems. ...


The number of elective courses that a student may take in a given semester is dependent upon his or her GPA.


Tuition and fees

TAMS students are responsible for paying for room and board in McConnell Hall and a TAMS "program charge" (which amounted to $1,300 during the 2005-2006 academic year). Tuition and all other fees are paid for by the TAMS program. Textbooks are lent to the student for free for the duration of the relevant course. In earlier years the program was free of charge, with the exception of room and board. Funding cuts by the state in 2003 led to the addition of the "program charge." Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Three textbooks. ...


Scholarships and awards

Approximately 93% of TAMS graduates have pursued careers in mathematics and science. Many of the recent graduates are still in school. The total amount of scholarship money offered to TAMS graduates annually is generally eight to nine million dollars, two to three million of which is accepted.[citation needed] This article is about scholarship (noun) and scholarship as a form of financial aid. ...


Research

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. The TAMS Summer Research Scholarship is offered to about 60 students per year to fund these research pursuits. In the past, amounts up to $4000 have been granted, though due to recent budget cuts the scholarship for the '05-'06 summer was reduced to $3000. Many students dedicate a great deal of time into their research and are recognized for their effort through professors granting the student authorship of papers published in journals or through awards at competitions such as Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition and the Intel Science Talent Search Competition. A number of students also compete for the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. After Siemens AG purchased Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1997, it was under the impression that the prestigious Westinghouse Science Talent Search (now the Intel Science Talent Search) would be theirs as well. ... The Intel Science Talent Search (ISTS) is a prestigious research-based science competition in the United States primarily for high school students. ... The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986. ...


Student life

TAMS students actively participate in the UNT community through activities such as community service projects and tutoring. Image File history File links Mergefrom. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. ...


Clubs and Organizations

TAMS has a very active community, with numerous clubs ranging from Mu Alpha Theta to Academy Players (theatre). There are also many community service activities available in which students can participate. Mu Alpha Theta is a national mathematics honor society with over 65,000 student members in more than 1,400 schools worldwide. ... Serge Sudeikins poster for the Bat Theatre (1922). ...


A few examples of the clubs at TAMS include:

  • HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere)
  • TFLA (TAMS Forensics and Leadership Assoc.)
  • Mu Alpha Theta (Math Club)
  • FACES
  • Dull Roar
  • TAMS Medical Society
  • JETS (Engineering Club)
  • MOE (Masters of Entertainment)
  • TAMS Research Organization
  • Student Council
  • McConnell Hall Association (MHA)
  • Scoopwell
  • After Prom

In addition to these TAMS clubs, the McConnell Hall Association functions as a part of the UNT Residential Hall Association. Also, one student is voted to represent TAMS in the UNT Student Government Association each year.


McConnell Hall

All TAMS students live in McConnell Hall. The hall consists of three floors, separated by gender, i.e. Bacon is NOT a cold cut.


The hall is furnished with two common rooms (the Smitty Study and Mac Café), a kitchenette, and multiple meeting rooms (Conference Room, Bewley, TV Room, Student Activities Center). A kitchenette is a cooking area in small apartments, hotel rooms, college dormitories, or office buildings. ...


The Smitty Study serves as a public recreation room. It features ping-pong, pool and foosball which can be played in non-quiet hours. It also serves as a study area.


Mac Café

The Mac Café is one of the common rooms in McConnell, populated with Mac rats, housing various club functions as well as serving as a hangout and study area. The room houses a culture in and of itself built by the students who spend a majority of time there. These students have adopted the name "Mac rats."


Over the years Mac Cafe has undergone several renovations. Before the start of the 2004-2005 school year, Mac Cafe was refitted with blue carpet replacing the old green. Of recent concern to the Mac rats is the replacement of Mac couches. Before the 2006-2007 school year started, the large comfortable, yet ugly couches were replaced with uncomfortable yet more stylish couches from a nearby dorm.


Disciplinary system

TAMS administration has a system of discipline and an organization (the Judicial Board or "J-Board) to dispute common and minor issues with the system. Many rules, including a curfew, are imposed to protect the students. Some areas of Denton and Dallas are restricted at night, while others are completely off-limits at any time. Motto: North of Ordinary Location within the state of Texas County Denton County Government  - Mayor Perry McNeill Area  - City 161. ... Dallas redirects here. ...


Students often complain about the TAMS administration's power. For example, it is speculated that there exist loopholes in TAMS policies which would give any resident assistant the power to throw a student out of TAMS. This is countermanded, however, by an extensive system of checks and balances built into the disciplinary policy of both the housing system and the TAMS program. It also should be noted that Resident Assistants, Hall Directors, and Desk Clerks are not technically classified as administration in the UNT system; they are instead "staff" members with limited authority assigned to their position. A resident assistant, commonly shortened to RA is a trained student leader, within a college or university, charged with supervising students living in a residence hall. ...


The TAMS staff administers documentations, each worth a varying amount of "points." The points go on record and are accumulated by the student over his or her career at TAMS. Violations such as quiet hour disturbance are not given any leniency, but three documentations for the same offense must be recorded in thirty days before any actual points are accumulated. More serious violations, however, such as the use of illegal or restricted substances are strictly enforced due to the high standard that TAMS students are expected to uphold; 20 students were arrested without bail in 2006 alone.


Pranks and Other Things

Mislabeled TAMS sign
Mislabeled TAMS sign

In the past, an ongoing tradition at TAMS was for the senior class each year to steal the sign in front of McConnell Hall, the dormitory housing the TAMS students. Each time this occurred the sign was replaced by the TAMS or UNT administration, but several times the new sign was misspelled or mislabeled. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (851x562, 381 KB) Mislabeled sign reading Texas Academy of Arts and Sciences outside of McConnell Hall at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (851x562, 381 KB) Mislabeled sign reading Texas Academy of Arts and Sciences outside of McConnell Hall at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. ...


Stealing the sign, although certainly illegal, is a relatively tame prank. Since the Academy was founded, the rule book has continuously grown, as each new class discovered new diversions that met with the disapproval of the administration and were subsequently forbidden. Additionally, illegal pranks also seem to have declined greatly. Early years saw numerous visits from the FBI and the Secret Service due to various technological shenanigans as TAMS has been in the past a major hub of data piracy (including copies of the movie 300 mere hours after its theatrical release), and dangerous activities such as dropping broken CRT monitors from windows or rappelling out of the building after curfew were observed. Many other pranks, such as vadding through the tunnels beneath McConnell, using bathtubs to cook ramen, or using the Chinese eggroll as a replacement to doorknobs are much more harmless. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a federal criminal investigative, intelligence agency, and the primary investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ... Because of both the secrecy of secret services and the controversial nature of the issues involved, there is some difficulty in separating the definitions of secret service, secret police, intelligence agency etc. ... The Cathach of St. ... CRT can mean: Cathode Ray Tube, in electronics, a display device (such as those used in one type of television) C Run-Time, in computing Charitable Remainder Trust, in Law Chinese Remainder Theorem, in mathematics Corneal Refractive Therapy, in medicine Criterion-referenced test, in U.S. schools Critical race theory... In British English, abseiling (from the German abseilen, to rope down) is the process of descending on a fixed rope. ... Vadding is a verb which has become synonymous with urban exploration. ... This article is about the traditional Japanese noodle soup. ...


It should be noted that most pranks are playing on typical themes of protest much like those observed in typical high schools. Little danger exists, as pranks are not usually concerned with matters that violate laws.


Setting off the fire alarms on the night before the first Biology exam has become increasingly popular in recent years. In the Falls Semesters of 2005, 2006, and 2007, the TAMS administration had to put the dormitory into "lock-down" five times, where students are confined to their rooms until the chosen period of punishment has ended. Lock-downs of the dormitory have been met increasingly fiercely by the students, who see it as an unfair to suffer for the crimes of others. It was expected that there would be too much security (as well as rumors of a double-length "lock-down") on September 20 for anyone to successfully set off the fire alarm. Although the administration is unaware, most residents in his wing do not worry because it was not suspected.


Notable Alumni

David Anthony Williams (born June 9, 1980 in Arlington, Texas) is a professional poker and Magic: The Gathering player. ... The 2004 World Series of Poker (WSOP) was held at Binions Horseshoe after Harrahs Entertainment purchased the casino and the rights to the tournament in January. ... For other uses, see Chemistry (disambiguation). ... Mapúa Institute of Technology (MIT, MapúaTech or simply Mapúa) is a private, non-sectarian, Filipino tertiary institute located in Intramuros, Manila. ... Nora Angela Zehetner (born February 5, 1981) is an American film and television actress. ...

See also

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. ...

References

External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
The Kentucky Academy of Mathematics and Science (212 words)
Illinois, (1986) the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Aurora, Illinois.
Texas, (1987) the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas.
Indiana, (1988) the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and the Humanitites, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana.
The Kentucky Academy of Mathematics and Science (197 words)
The highly successful Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, which has been operating for fifteen years, will be the model for the Kentucky Academy.
The Texas Academy class of 2004 averaged a 3.51 GPA their first year at TAMS.
SAT scores of Texas Academy students go up about 100 points during their senior year, creating a senior class average of about 1400 (out of a possible 1600 on Critical Reasoning and Mathematics).
  More results at FactBites »


 

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