Overview
As a student at UMN Morris pursuing a major or minor in mathematics, you’ll start by learning mathematical principles to create a framework for the area of mathematics you're interested in or that applies to your desired field. You’ll be able to choose from a wide range of courses that cover a variety of math topics, including those that provide in-depth focus on a specific area of mathematics. Courses are rigorous and taught from multiple approaches. You'll learn quantitative literacy while developing problem-solving and logical thinking skills.
The math curriculum at UMN Morris is designed to help you develop an expertise in mathematical techniques and methods, sharpen your mathematical intuition and abstract reasoning, and stimulate the type of independent thinking required for research beyond the confines of the textbook. The math curriculum also emphasizes the role mathematics plays in the development of civilization and in our society.
An important component of the liberal arts core, mathematics helps build the analytical and critical thinking skills vital to a well-rounded education, skills that are also highly attractive in a demanding job market in constant change.
Degree Requirements
- Major Requirements
- Minor Requirements
- Four-Year Sample Plan 1
- Four-Year Sample Plan 2
- Four-Year Sample Plan 3
- Three-Year Sample Plan
All mathematics courses, from freshman level to senior level, are taught by experienced, full-time math professors who have a broad expertise. Those with expertise in pure mathematics are able to offer advanced courses in abstract algebra, combinatorics, differential geometry, number theory, real and complex analysis, and topology; faculty members with expertise in applied mathematics are able to offer advanced courses in partial differential equations, mathematical modeling, optimization and operations research, applications of graph theory, and applied numerical analysis.
Teaching Licensure
If interested in pursuing a teaching license in mathematics, you’ll need to complete the mathematics major with geometry, discrete mathematics, and history of mathematics as part of the curriculum. In addition, you’ll need to fulfill the professional education program, which includes student teaching.
Student Learning Outcomes
By completing a degree in mathematics, you will be able to
- problem solve using mathematical techniques and methods;
- use mathematical intuition and abstract reasoning, along with quantitative literacy;
- stimulate the type of independent and critical thinking required for research beyond the confines of the textbook;
- make mathematical contributions to modern society;
- do in-depth and independent mathematics-related research projects that require you to integrate your mathematical knowledge from different areas;
- observe and communicate how the development of mathematics has been part of historical and current cultural and scientific developments; and
- enter graduate school, pursue a career in applied mathematics, or teach mathematics.
General Education Requirements
The University of Minnesota and its faculty are committed to providing an education that invites you to investigate the world from new perspectives, learn new ways of thinking, and grow as an active citizen and lifelong learner. The University’s general education requirements are designed to be integrated throughout your four-year undergraduate experience. These courses provide you an opportunity to explore fields outside your major and complement your major curriculum with a multidisciplinary perspective.
Transferring Credit
Put your credits to work for you at UMN Morris, where you’ll earn a degree from a highly ranked public liberal arts university.
Careers & Graduate School
A mathematics degree from UMN Morris gives you the foundation to contribute to our community and society, either as a mathematician or in one of the many careers available to graduates of the program.
Careers
While 35 percent of mathematics graduates go on to teach math, many have gone into a variety of industries and have been hired by a variety of companies, some of which include:
- Best Buy
- Target
- IBM
- AT&T
- Unisys
- Delta Airlines
- Travelers
- Mayo Clinic
- UPS
- Federal Express
- Lockheed-Martin
- Office of Naval Research
- Argonne National Laboratory
- National Security Agency
Recent Examples of Occupations
- Financial analyst
- Data scientist
- Operations engineer
- Actuarial scientist
- Operations consultant
- Insurance analyst
- Patent lawyer
- K-12 teacher
- Professor/researcher
Graduate School
In addition to careers in the government and private sector, 35-40 percent of UMN Morris mathematics alumni have continued on to graduate and professional studies in mathematical sciences, engineering, computer science, natural and physical sciences, economics and management, law and social science.
They have enjoyed great success in admission to advanced degree programs at distinguished institutions like:
- Arizona State University
- Baylor University
- Bowling Green State University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Colorado State University
- Cornell University
- Georgetown University School of Law
- George Washington University
- Hamline University
- Harvard University
- Indiana University
- Iowa State University
- Kansas State University
- Naval Postgraduate School
- Northwestern University
- Princeton University
- Purdue University
- Rice University
- Southern Illinois University
- Texas A&M University
- University of Colorado
- University of Idaho
- University of Iowa
- University of Massachusetts
- University of Michigan
- University of Missouri-Columbia
- University of Utah
- University of Nebraska
- University of Texas
- University of Wisconsin
- Washington University
- Yale University School of Law
Costs & Aid
The University of Minnesota Morris is a national public liberal arts college committed to making a high-quality education available to students from across the country. Expenses for housing, meals, books and supplies, transportation, loan fees, and personal expenditures can vary.
Learn more about the cost of attendance
Use our net price calculator to estimate your cost of attendance
Research & Engagement
With the research expertise of the UMN Morris mathematics faculty and the dedication of the mathematics program to successfully integrate students into the field, you’ll have ample opportunity to participate in substantive research projects.
Research
In addition to the required math senior seminar course, you’ll have the chance to work with faculty on in-depth, independent mathematics-related research projects outside of classes. You’ll be able to integrate your mathematical knowledge from different areas, to apply techniques to solving complex systems and to enhance your communication skills by way of written reports and oral presentations.
Examples of Past Research Projects
- "Using Vertex Coloring to Optimize Complex Scheduling Problems"
- "Applications of Graph Theory to Designing Efficient Snow Plow Routes"
- "Mathematical Modeling of Pollution Trends in a Connected Lake System"
