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Undergraduate Catalog 2018-2019
Mathematics Minor
Description
The Minor in Mathematics is designed to enable a student to pursue his/her interest in mathematics while pursuing a degree in another field. Having a background in mathematics helps demonstrate a student’s ability to think critically, logically, and creatively. It also demonstrates his/her ability to find patterns, think abstractly, analyze and interpret data, solve problems, and make predictions in a variety of fields.
Work in mathematics is often characterized as either “pure” or “applied.” In general, this helps to describe the mathematician’s motivation and the types of problems they are interested in. (There is considerable overlap of these areas and many dispute this dichotomy.)
In pure mathematics, the primary motivational factors are aesthetic and philosophical, with an emphasis on inner coherence, rigor, beauty, and abstraction. In applied mathematics, the primary motivational factors are scientific, technological, computational, or social, with an emphasis on practical application and usefulness to other disciplines.
Pure mathematicians tend to work on problems in the field of mathematics proper and focus on generality and abstraction. Applied mathematicians often work with specialists from different disciplines to apply mathematical methods in order to solve complex problems from a variety of areas.
Students may choose a minor in Mathematics or in Applied Mathematics.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to
- understand the theory and applications of calculus and linear algebra.
- read and write mathematical proofs.
- explore the theory of advanced topics in pure mathematics.
- read, write, listen and speak mathematically, and to read and understand mathematically based material.
Requirements 鈥� Minor in Mathematics
The courses for the minor are divided into three groups: Required courses; Courses in “Pure” Mathematics; and Electives (courses in “Pure” or “Applied” Mathematics.)
The required courses (minimum of 20 credit hours) are given below.
Required courses (11 credits)
- MTH 1420 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4 credits)
- MTH 2410 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (4 credits)
- MTH 3020 Linear Algebra with Applications (3 credits)
Choose two courses (6 credits)
- MTH 3060 Mathematical Thinking (3 credits)
- MTH 4050 Abstract Algebra I (3 credits)
- MTH 4150 Theory of Numbers (3 credits)
- MTH 4350 Real Analysis I (3 credits)
Choose one elective (3 credits minimum)
Select one additional math course numbered from MTH 2760 through MTH 4900.
Only two mathematics courses (a maximum of 8 credits) that are required by the student's major may count towards the minor. Additional electives may be taken to reach the required minimum of 20 credit hours.
Students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 (C) grade point average in all minor courses and earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in each course in order for the minor to be posted on the official transcript at the time of graduation.
Prerequisites, if they exist, must be satisfied for all courses. In particular, a student must have passed Calculus I with a grade of ‘C’ or higher in order to begin the minor coursework.
At least 12 credits (or 4 courses) of the courses required for the minor must be taken at Detroit Mercy unless the courses are taken as part of a consortium agreement.
Program Contact Information
Department Chair: Dr. Jeffery Boats
Engineering 259
Email: boatsjj@udmercy.edu
Telephone: (313) 993-1503
Fax: (313) 993-1187