Minoring in Mathematics
Students interested in mathematics but who major in another field may find minoring in mathematics a good option.
Requirements for the Minor
Students enrolled in major programs in other departments can obtain a minor in mathematics by completing the following requirements:
Required courses
- Math 20100, Math 21200, Math 21300 or an equivalent three-semester calculus sequence.
- Math 34600: Elements of Linear Algebra.
- An additional nine credits that can be chosen from any 30000-level or 40000-level mathematics courses (excluding independent study and honors courses).
A total of twelve credits in Math beyond Math 20100 and 21200 must be taken at the City College. In addition, at least 50% of the credits for the minor must be from classes taken at CCNY, per CCNY's residency requirement. Note that some versions of the Bulletin and Degreeworks may erroneously list just six credits of 300- or 400- level math courses required in addition to 346, rather than nine.
Becoming a Math Minor
Students can become a math minor using the i-Declare system
FAQ about Minoring in Mathematics
When should I become a math minor?
Students interested in becoming a minor generally have made progress in the calculus sequence, getting a C or better in 201 and/or 212. It is good to declare early and to reach out to the Math Minor Advisor at mathminoradvisor@ccny.cuny.edu to take advantage of guidance and help with planning appropriate courses to meet the requirements. It is possible to declare a minor very close to graduation but in general a good idea is to declare and reach out around the time of completing the calculus sequence.
What are the majors that minor in mathematics?
There is a wide range of majors who choose to minor in mathematics. Those include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and EAS majors in the Division of Science, every major in the Grove School of Engineering, as well as students in Economics, Psychology, other social science fields, Music, Philosophy, other humanities, and Architecture. Getting a math minor is a way of demonstrating interest and ability in mathematics.
I am engineering major, should I get a math minor?
Yes! For engineering students, getting a math minor often means taking as few as one or two additional math courses. A math minor shows potential employers strength in analytic skills. Many students in the Grove School of Engineering have required courses that can count also towards a math minor. Unlike double-majoring, obtaining a minor can overlap other requirements without issues. For example, an engineering student who has taken the 201-212-213 sequence, 346 Linear Algebra, and 391 Differential Equations already has 3 of the required nine credits in addition to 346.
What courses besides 201-212-213 and 346 should I take to complete my minor?
This depends upon student interests. An engineering or physics student may take 391 Differential Equations (3 credits), 328 Numerical Methods (3 credits), and 446 Linear Algebra (4 credits) to give 10 credits in addition to 346. A computer science student may take 365 Combinatorics (4 credits), 308 Bridge to Advanced Mathematics (3 credits), and 446 Linear Algebra (4 credits) to give 11 credits in addition to 346. Students interested in financial mathematics may take three of 375, 381, 382, and 391 for 10 or more credits in addition to 346. Some engineering students are required to take Differential Equations 391 (3 credits) and Probability 375 (4 credits) and for those, the two-credit course 390 Vector Analysis would suffice to complete the major.
Should I take Math 308 Bridge to Advanced Mathematics- is that a good choices for minors?
308 Bridge to Advanced Mathematics develops students ability to work logically and form correct mathematical proofs, and is a prerequisite for many upper-division math courses. So that may be a good choice for a math minor interested in proof-based electives, including 345 Theory of Numbers, 347 Elements of Modern Algebra, and/or 360 Modern Geometry
I am interested in probability and statistics, what would be good choices for a minor?
375 Elements of Probability and 376 Mathematical Statistics are good choices, and one other elective beyond the calculus and linear algebra requirements would then complete the minor.
What about the Fourier Analysis and Complex Variables courses- would those make good choices for minors?
Yes, 393 Applied Fourier Analysis and 395 Complex Variables for Scientists and Engineers are courses that are designed to serve math minors well. We have not been able to offer those courses recently but we hope to be able to in the future.
I only need two additional credits for a minor, what should I do?
The 2-credit 390 Vector Analysis course introduced in Spring 2026 could be a good option, and continues from where Calculus III ended.
My major does not require much math, but I enjoy math, should I get a math minor?
Yes! Developing mathematical expertise and analytical skills can serve many purposes, and a minor in mathematics on a transcript shows that a student has interest and ability in mathematics.
I am interested in data science, should I get a math minor?
Yes! Understanding modern data analysis tools requires expertise in linear algebra, probability, and statistics. Good choices for a student interested in data science might be the required 346 Elements of Linear Algebra, then 446 Linear Algebra, 375 Elements of Probability and 376 Mathematical Statistics.
I am Computer Science major, should I get a math minor?
Yes! The analytical and algorithmic thinking important to computer science can be strengthened with more mathematics classes. Though the CS major currently requires only up to Math 346, with three additional courses students can earn a mathematics minor. Good choices for a CS student after the required 346 Elements of Linear Algebra, could include 365 Combinatorics for those who enjoy discrete mathematics, 308 Bridge to Advanced Mathematics for those wanting to improve logical thinking and their proof skills, 328 Numerical Methods for those interested in scientific and numerical computing, as well as electives covering abstract topics for those who enjoy proofs and theory. Almost all 300- and 400- level math courses satisfy the "Technical Electives" requirement for the CS major.
I may be interested in graduate school, not in mathematics, but in a mathematically-related field, should I get a math minor?
Yes! For graduate admissions, students with stronger backgrounds in mathematics are stronger candidates for graduate programs in math-intensive fields. Many graduate programs may require students whose math background is not as strong as they would like to take additional undergraduate math courses before their graduate courses. Taking those courses while an undergraduate to complete a minor in mathematics can serve to strengthen applications and save time in a graduate program later.
How does minoring in mathematics affect my financial aid?
You should consult the Financial Aid office for more information as these policies can be complex. Some financial aid funding only covers required courses, and for a student who chooses to minor in mathematics, the set of required courses includes many 300- and 400- level mathematics electives.
How does minoring in mathematics affect my graduation?
A minor is not required for graduation, so if a student is able to graduate by completing their major requirements but has declared but not completed a minor in mathematics, they can graduate by dropping the minor in the i-Declare system.
I'm a transfer student, how does that affect minoring in mathematics?
Because most calculus sequences have generally about 12 credits, that can complicate meeting the minor requirements residency requirement of 50% of the credits at CCNY. A student who took the equivalent of 201-212-213 at other institutions who took 346, 391, 375, and 390 at CCNY would just barely meet the 50% credits residency requirement. A student who took the equivalent of 201-212-213-391-346 at other institutions will need more electives to meet the 50% residency requirement.
I took some calculus and linear algebra courses on ePermit at another CUNY, how does that affect minoring in mathematics?
That can complicate meeting the minor requirements residency requirement of 50% of the credits at CCNY. With enough of the required 201-212-213-346 credits at other institutions, that can result in needing additional mathematics courses at CCNY to meet the 50% credits residency requirement, similar to the situation for some transfer students.
I'm taking a course in another department that is using some advanced mathematics, can that count toward a minor?
No. Such courses can be good background and preparation for CCNY math courses, but they do not count toward the minor. The courses that can count toward the minor are CCNY courses in mathematics.
I'd like to take a math course at another CUNY campus, can that count toward a minor?
No. The courses that can count toward the minor are CCNY courses in mathematics. Courses at other campuses can serve as prerequisites for CCNY math courses and strengthen preparation, but do not count toward the minor.
I'd like to take a graduate level math course, can that count toward a minor?
Yes, and most of the graduate courses have a corresponding undergraduate version. Many of the graduate courses have prerequistes that can often count towards the minor as well. Consult with the math minor advisor and/or the graduate advisor about good choices for that.
Advising
The person handling advising for the minor is listed on the administration page and should be contacted by email to mathminoradvisor@ccny.cuny.edu
