Mathematics Minor

Overview

The mathematics minor is available to any undergraduate with an interest in studying mathematics as long as they are not majoring in mathematics. 

The undergraduate coordinator is the main contact person for the minor.

The director of undergraduate studies can offer advice on course selection.

Course Requirements

The curriculum for a mathematics minor is described in the university catalog on the Mathematics Minor program page.

Grade Requirements

  • All courses must be taken for a letter grade. Grades of S/U or SX/UX will not be accepted.
  • All courses must be completed with a grade of C– or better, unless noted otherwise.
  • Second attempts to meet a minimum grade requirement for admission to the minor require pre-approval.

Academic Policies

  • No course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement.
  • Only courses offered with a MATH prefix may be counted toward the minor.
  • MATH 4900, MATH 4980, and MATH 4997 do not count toward the minor.
  • MATH courses at the 5000 level do not count toward the minor.
  • Pre-approval is required to count a graduate course toward the algebra or analysis requirement.
  • Transfer credit may be used for admission to the minor and for at most one of the courses required for the minor. Cornell equivalents must appear on the student's Cornell transcript.

Admission Prerequisites

Admission to the minor requires a semester each of linear algebra and multivariable calculus. The department recommends1 MATH 2210-MATH 2220 or MATH 2230-MATH 2240.

Linear Algebra

Complete one of the following2:

  • MATH 2210 – Linear Algebra (with a B– or better)
  • MATH 2230 – Theoretical Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus I (with a B– or better)
  • MATH 2940 – Linear Algebra for Engineers (with a B– or better)
  • MATH 2310 – Linear Algebra for Data Science (with a B+ or better)

Multivariable Calculus

Complete one of the following with a B– or better:

  • MATH 2220 – Multivariable Calculus
  • MATH 2240 – Theoretical Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus II
  • MATH 1920 – Multivariable Calculus for Engineers3

Notes

  1. Students who have taken a course in linear algebra and/or multivariable calculus during high school should consider taking MATH 2230-MATH 2240, which gives a more abstract, proof-oriented treatment of the material.
  2. Substituting a 4000-level linear algebra course is not allowed.
  3. Placement exam credit for MATH 1920 may be used, but only if the student’s exam score is equivalent to a B– or better on their first attempt at the exam.

Students who receive below the minimum grade in one of the prerequisite courses should contact the undergraduate coordinator immediately.

How to Apply

Complete page one of the Math Minor Application and send it to the undergraduate coordinator using Secure File Transfer. 

Applications are accepted year-round. Applicants will receive an email confirmation when they are admitted to the minor. Response times vary.

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