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 he/she is 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. Pure mathematicians tend to work on problems in the field of mathematics proper and focus on generality and abstraction. 

Students may choose a minor in (pure) Mathematics or in Applied Mathematics.

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    Program Learning Outcomes

    Graduates of this program will be able to

    1. understand the theory and applications of calculus and linear algebra.
    2. read and write mathematical proofs.
    3. explore the theory of advanced topics in pure mathematics.
    4. read, write, listen and speak mathematically, and to read and understand mathematically based material.
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    Mathematics Minor Requirements - 20 credits

    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 mathematics elective course (3 credits minimum)

    Select one additional math course numbered from MTH 2760 through MTH 4900.

    Additional approved electives may be taken to reach the required minimum of 20 credit hours.

    Note: A student with a mathematics major cannot earn a mathematics minor.

    Additional Policies:

    At most, six credits may be counted toward both a student's major and minor.  At most, three credits may be counted towards two separate minors.  At least nine credits will be upper division (3000+ level) courses and no courses will be taken on a pass/fail basis.  A minimum of 12 credits (or four courses) will be taken at Detroit Mercy unless the courses are taken as part of a consortium agreement.

    Students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average in all minor courses in order for the minor to be earned and posted on the official transcript at the time of graduation.  Prerequisites must be satisfied if a course has them. For example, a student must pass MTH 1410 Calculus I with a grade of ‘C’ or higher in order to begin the minor coursework.

     

Program Contact Information

Lazaros Kikas, Ph.D.
Minor Advisor, Applied Mathematics and Mathematics
Chair, Mathematics Department
Office: Engineering 259
Email: kikasld@udmercy.edu
Telephone: 313-993-3379

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Undergraduate Catalog
2022-2023