A fourth year of math is required for students seeking admission to the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota.
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. 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, students 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. See a list of sample courses that meet this requirement.