1. Introduction

As a part of its mission, the Department of Mathematics has an ongoing commitment to provide effective and innovative undergraduate education to non-math major students in order to prepare them to succeed in their further studies and careers. Hence, its faculty has been engaged in imparting high quality instruction through mathematics service courses offered to about 6500 students per semester from other disciplines. This in turn has continuously led to generate students' interest in double majoring in Mathematics. However, double major in mathematics has not proved a practical option due to the heavy requirements of extra credits. Furthermore, a double major plan involves students to usually spend 2 additional terms at KFUPM so it is not encouraged due to inefficient utilization of time and resources. On the other hand, many of those interested students have approached the department over the last years inquiring as to whether a Minor in Mathematics could be offered. In response to such requests, the Department has thoroughly studied the issue and recommends offering a Minor in Mathematics. The departmental study implies that the proposed Minor in Mathematics is a feasible idea in the sense that It is beneficial to both the KFUPM and its students in many aspects, as explained in Section 3 below. It is possible for the students to complete the Minor requirements without spending extra term(s) at KFUPM. No additional resources would be required exclusively for this minor. For instance, no new courses need to be developed/offered and no new faculty needs to be hired for the minor. Section 2 presents details about proposed Minor Program whereas Section 3 gives a description of the advising plan for Minor in Mathematics.

2. Proposed Minor in Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics proposes to offer a Minor in Mathematics for students majoring in other disciplines. A general aim of the Minor in Mathematics is to provide the student with a stronger background in mathematics, significant mathematical skills and a perspective on the discipline.

2.1 Eligibility and pre-requisites for enrolment in Minor in Mathematics

A student can apply for enrolment in Minor in Mathematics provided he has completed at least 32 credit hours, including Math101 and Math102, and his cumulative GPA at least 3.0.

2.2 Courses requirement for Minor in Mathematics

The requirements for the Minor in Mathematics consist of completing 12 credit hours from the following groups, with at least 6 credit hours taken from the "CORE GROUP".

CORE GROUP

Consisting of the courses Math201, Math208, Math 210, Math 225, Math 333, Math 341, Math 371, Math 323,  Math 441, Math 445.

ELECTIVE GROUP

Consisting of all Math Elective courses from the areas of Applied Mathematics & Numerical Analysis, Pure Mathematics.

Remark: Stat and AS courses are not considered for minor electives

The choice of courses is to be made in accordance with the following;

The courses for Minor in Mathematics should be in addition to the courses required for the student's Major degree program. So a course cannot be double counted for the student's Major degree as well as for Minor in Mathematics. Math371 cannot be used for Minor in Mathematics if the student's Major degree plan includes CIE301.

2.3 GPA requirement for Minor in Mathematics

A student qualifies for Minor in Mathematics provided his minor GPA is not less than 2.00, where the minor GPA means the cumulative GPA of the courses taken for Minor in Mathematics. The details about the courses and the qualification for Minor will appear on the student's transcript but not on the degree.

3. Advising for Minor in Mathematics

Each student of Minor in Mathematics will be advised by an advisor from the Department who will guide about the choice of courses according to the major of student as well as will maintain a Minor Advising Worksheet given on next page. Steps for applying to the minor program in Mathematics:

1. Read the information carefully and make sure that you meet the requirements.
2. With consultation with your academic advisor, choose 4 courses: 2 from the core and 2 electives.
   
3.  No course will be counted in two degrees (your major and the minor). 
4. Fill the form, sign it and send it to Dr. Ibrahim Al-Rasasi at irasasi@kfupm.edu.sa. He will arrange a meeting with your for further discussion.

 

Download Form:  Minor in Mathematics Course Plan Form

NOTE: For more information about Minor in Mathematics, you may contact Dr. Ibrahim Al-Rasasi at irasasi@kfupm.edu.sa