Frequently Asked Questions
Fall 2015 University of Minnesota High School Course Requirement:
Four Years of Math
What is the new high school course requirement?
A fourth-year of math (instead of the current three years) will be required effective with students seeking admission for fall
2015 and later to the Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester campuses of the University of Minnesota.
Current requirement: for students seeking admission before fall 2015: Three years of math, including two years of algebra,
and one year of geometry. (Currently on the Twin Cities campus, a fourth-year of math is required for admission to the
Carlson School of Management, College of Biological Sciences, and the College of Science and Engineering.)
New requirement: for students seeking admission fall 2015 and thereafter: Four years of math, including two years of
algebra, and one year of geometry. Courses strong in quantitative methodology may be used to meet this requirement.
Examples of fourth-year courses include but are not limited to courses included on page 3.
Why is the University of Minnesota requiring a fourth-year of math?
The University of Minnesota’s faculty and administration are strongly committed to student success and University research
has shown that completing four years of math enhances student success in college. Grade point averages and retention and
graduation rates at the University of Minnesota are higher for students who have taken four years of math. Currently, over 90
percent of new entering freshmen on the Twin Cities campus have completed four years of math.
In addition, given the current quantitative nature of our global society, students in a broad array of disciplines, from business
to history to health care, will either be required to take college-level math at the University or will be required to apply an
understanding of upper-level high school math or quantitative methodology to their college-level work. Requiring students
to take four years of math will help ensure that they have the math and quantitative thinking skills necessary for success in
college and beyond.
Does the fourth-year of math need to be taken during the senior year?
We recognize that some students may complete the equivalent of a fourth-year of high school math earlier than their senior
year. Even if this is the case, the University recommends that students continue taking math or quantitative methodology
through the senior year of high school. When students do not take math in their senior year of high school, they enter their
fall semester as University freshmen having completed no math for two summers and an entire academic year. We strongly
encourage students to continue taking math through their senior year because math skills can deteriorate quickly if not
used. Mathematical and quantitative thinking is a component of the University’s degree requirements, and all students must
complete some college-level coursework in this area at the University.
What types of math courses will fulfill the requirement?
The fourth year of math can be any college preparatory math class offered by your high school. Courses that have Algebra II
as a prerequisite or are strong in quantitative methodology may be used to meet this requirement. A complete list of courses
that meet this requirement is on page 3.
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Supplemental applications and forms are online at http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/PDFs.
Will it be possible for students to be admitted if they have not completed four years of math?
Yes, it will be possible. Admission decisions are based on a holistic, overall assessment of each application, and students missing a
high school course requirement may still be admissible if their overall application is otherwise very strong. Please note, however,
that admission to the University is competitive, and the overall strongest applicants from a highly competitive applicant pool are
selected for admission. Students are encouraged to continue taking a set of rigorous college preparatory coursework during their
senior year that includes math. Completing the high school course requirements not only enhances a student’s preparation for
success in college, it also strengthens their application for admission.
My high school doesn’t offer four years of math so my students aren’t able to complete four years
of math. How will they be affected?
Our overall, holistic assessment of a student’s application does take into account the courses offered at the student’s high school.
Students attending schools where math is either not offered in the senior year or the where the student has exhausted the math
options at their school, will not be denied admission because of a missing fourth-year of math. Admission decisions are based on
an overall assessment of a student’s academic credentials and secondary factors, and no single factor is a deciding factor. We do
expect students to take full advantage of the math offerings at their high school and will consider the students’ success in their
academic coursework in our review of their applications.
Questions?
If you have questions about how admission decisions are made, or questions
about which courses will satisfy the math requirement, please contact the
Office of Admissions at the individual University of Minnesota campus.
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Duluth: 1-800-232-1339
Crookston: 1-800-862-6466
Morris: 1-888-866-3382
Rochester: 1-877-280-4699
TwinCities: 1-800-752-1000
Please note that questions regarding this change in the University’s high school
course requirement policy can be directed to Dr. Robert McMaster, Vice Provost
and Dean of Undergraduate Education, at 612-626-9425.
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Supplemental applications and forms are online at http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/PDFs.
Freshman Math Requirement and Courses
Courses that usually meet the Elementary Algebra requirement:
Elementary Algebra
Algebra 1
Basic Algebra
Integrated Math 1 (IMP 1, Core 1)
Courses that usually meet the Geometry requirement:
Geometry
Informal Geometry
Basic Geometry
Integrated Math 2 (IMP 2, Core 2)
Courses that generally meet the Intermediate Algebra requirement:
Intermediate Algebra
Algebra 2
Integrated Math 3 (IMP 3, Core 3)
**If applicant has met the Intermediate Algebra requirement, we can assume that the Elementary Algebra
requirement has also been met.
Courses that generally meet the 4th year Math requirement:
(The examples listed here include courses that have Intermediate Algebra as a prerequisite.)
Calculus
Geometry/Trigonometry/Algebra (GTA)
PreCalculus
Trigonometry
IB Math Studies
Algebra/Trigonometry
IB Math Methods
College Algebra
IB Math Higher Level
Discrete Math
Integrated Math 4 (IMP 4, Core 4)
Finite Math
Analysis
Statistics
Advanced Math
Probability
Functions/Statistics/Trigonometry (FST)
**If applicant has met the 4th year math requirement, we can assume that the Elementary Algebra, Geometry,
and Intermediate Algebra requirements have also been met.
Non-Math courses that meet the 4th year Math requirement:
(Courses that either usually have Intermediate Algebra as a course prerequisite or that meet the UM Math Liberal Education
Requirements. For more information, visit http://onestop.umn.edu/degree_planning/lib_eds/fall_2010_requirements/
mathematical_thinking.html.)
AP Physics
IB Chemistry
IB Physics
UM PSEO: Logic (PHIL 1001 or PHIL 1021)
AP Chemistry
UM PSEO: Overview of Computer Science (CSCI 1001)
Math courses that generally don’t meet the Math requirement:
PreAlgebra
Consumer Math
Computer Math
Senior Math
Business Math
Survey of Mathematics
Topics in Math
Mathematical Concepts
Liberal Arts math
Foundations of Math
College Prep Math
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The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
Supplemental applications and forms are online at http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/PDFs.