Minor in Mathematics

For the most current course requirements, please refer to the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Studies Department's program requirements sheet for the Mathematics minor.

A minor in mathematics provides a solid foundation of quantitative and reasoning skills for work in any major. Students can earn a minor in mathematics by completing at least 15 credits in mathematics courses distributed as follows:

  • at least nine credits in MATH courses numbered 0250 or higher, and
  • at least six credits in MATH courses numbered 1000 or higher;

with a grade of C or higher in each course, subject to the following exclusions:

  • MATH 0400 cannot count toward the minor,
  • MATH 0280 and MATH 1180/1185 cannot both count toward the minor,
  • MATH 0290 and MATH 1270/1275 cannot both count toward the minor.

To declare the minor, go here and scroll down to "Academic Advising Forms".

Sample Minor Course Groups

The groups below represent a few of the many possible collections of courses that satisfy Math Minor requirements, chosen to illustrate how one might target certain interests while satisfying all prerequisites. These are only suggestions -- you are welcome to customize your choices to best fit your interests. Contact the Undergraduate Director at ugdmath@pitt.edu with any questions.

Unless specifically noted, the only prerequisites assumed for each grouping below are completion of MATH 0220 and 0230 (Calculus 1 and 2, which do not count toward the minor), with a grade of 'C' or better in each. The remaining prerequisites for any course in a particular group are satisfied by other courses in the same group.

Actuarial Mathematics
Courses listed below variously prepare the student for the SOA (Society of Actuaries) Exams P, FM, FAM, SRM, and PA.

  • MATH 0470 Actuarial Mathematics 1
  • MATH 1119 Applied Probability for Actuarial Mathematics
  • MATH 1121 Actuarial Mathematics 2
  • Choose two from MATH 1126 and 1127, Predictive Analytics 1 and 2; MATH 1122 and 1123, Actuarial Mathematics 3 and 4; or MATH 1128 and 1129, Actuarial Mathematics 5 and 6.

A Tour of Applied Math

  • MATH 0280, Linear Algebra
  • MATH 0290 or 1270, Ordinary Differential Equations (or MATH 1275 honors)
  • Choose three of the following four options:
    1. MATH 0480 Applied Discrete Mathematics
    2. MATH 1101 Introduction to Optimization
    3. MATH 1103 Mathematical Problems in Business Industry and Government
    4. MATH 1360 Modeling in Applied Math, or MATH 1370 Intro to Computational Neuroscience

Math for Computational Science

  • MATH 0280 or 1180, Linear Algebra (or MATH 1185 honors)
  • MATH 0413 Introduction to Theoretical Mathematics (or MATH 0450 honors)
  • Choose one of the following two options:
    1. Three of MATH 0480 Applied Discrete Mathematics, MATH 1050 Combinatorics, MATH 1101 Intro to Optimization, and MATH 1310 Graph Theory; or
    2. MATH 0430 Introduction to Abstract Algebraic Systems, plus two of: MATH 1050, 1101, 1310, MATH 1020 Number Theory, MATH 1025 Mathematical Cryptography, or MATH 1250 Abstract Algebra

Math for the Life Sciences (also presumes completion of MATH 0240, Calculus 3)

  • MATH 0280 Linear Algebra
  • MATH 0290 or 1270, Ordinary Differential Equations (or MATH 1275 honors)
  • Choose one of MATH 0480 Applied Discrete Math; MATH 1070 Numerical Analysis; MATH 1080 Numerical Linear Algebra; or MATH 1101 Intro to Optimization.
  • MATH 1370 Computational Neuroscience
  • MATH 1380 Mathematical Biology

Math for the Physical Sciences (also presumes completion of MATH 0240, Calculus 3)

  • MATH 0280 Linear Algebra
  • MATH 1270 Ordinary Differential Equations 1 (or MATH 1275 honors)
  • Choose one of MATH 1070 Numerical Analysis, MATH 1080 Numerical Linear Algebra, MATH 1280 ODE 2, or MATH 1470 PDE.
  • MATH 1550 Vector Analysis
  • MATH 1560 Complex Analysis

Mathematical Modeling (also presumes completion of MATH 0240, Calculus 3)

  • MATH 0280 Linear Algebra
  • One of MATH 1070 Numerical Analysis or MATH 1080 Numerical Linear Algebra
  • MATH 1270 Ordinary Differential Equations 1 (or MATH 1275 honors)
  • MATH 1280 Ordinary Differential Equations 2 or MATH 1470 Partial Differential Equations 1
  • Choose one of: MATH 1360 Modeling in Applied Math, MATH 1370 Computational Neuroscience, or MATH 1380, Mathematical Biology

Math for Secondary Education (also presumes completion of MATH 0240, Calculus 3). Together with MATH 0220/30/40, these satisfy the mathematical prerequisites for entry into the Pitt Department of Education's MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) program in Mathematics education, described here.

  • MATH 0280 or 1180, Linear Algebra (or MATH 1185 honors)
  • MATH 0413 Introduction to Theoretical Mathematics (or MATH 0450 honors)
  • MATH 0430 Introduction to Abstract Algebraic Systems
  • MATH 1119 Applied Probability for Actuarial Mathematics
  • Pick one of: MATH 1020 Applied Elementary Number Theory or MATH 1290 Topics in Geometry (These are not required prerequisites, but both provide useful background.)