Is a Minor in Mathematics Worth Pursuing for Non-Math Major Students?

[bjgawp]

I was wondering what the general purpose of having a minor would be. I can understand having a minor in a certain language can be good for various job prospects but what about a minor in the sciences?

At my institute, in order to get a minor in mathematics, the courses we need are:
- First-year calculus: Calc I and Calc II
- Linear algebra (Probably very basic: "An introduction to vectors, matrices, systems of linear equations and three-dimensional geometry")
- 9 credit hours from 2nd or 3rd year math courses (3 credit course = 1 semester class)

which, to me, does not seem very rigorous at all.

I'm interested in keeping up with my mathematics but plan on pursuing a degree in pharmacy. Should I pursue a minor in mathematics seeing how I'm going to enroll in various math courses during the summer and on the side while doing my degree? Pharmacy only requires Calc I and I'm willing to go the distance to learn more.

Also, are there any particular "core" courses that I absolutely must have under my belt that any undergraduate mathematician would have?

 

[scarecrow]

If you're going into pharmacy, it's nice to have a math background, but really Calculus I is all you really need. If I were you, I would minor in something that would be highly beneficial in the work place, such as biology or biochemistry.

 

[ytoruno]

Also, are there any particular "core" courses that I absolutely must have under my belt that any undergraduate mathematician would have?[/QUOTE]

-Real analysis, modern (abstract) algebra, modern geometry

 

[Carolyn]

I wonder if a minor in Commerce is of any use for science/engineering students?

 

[bjgawp]

Thanks for the comments so far. I suppose a minor in something related to what I do would be beneficial for my job prospects although would it really help me that much? I mean, looking at the requirements for getting a math minor, it does not seem like much. I could probably attain it without courses beyond Calc III.

Perhaps I'll get a minors in both mathematics and chemistry?

 

[lbrits]

One thing to keep in mind is that these courses teach you something beyond just math, and you're probably at a point in your life where you can afford to "dabble".

You'll get a lot of problem solving experience as well as discipline from something a hard-core analysis course, and something like differential geometry/topology can be quite fun.

Five years down the line you'll come up against something really challenging and you'll think back to the time when you pulled an all-nighter to prove the Gauss-Bonnet theorem on an assignment... you might find that you have more confidence in yourself for having done those courses.