Mathematical Sciences
The School of Mathematics and Statistics is situated in the Faculty of Science. Units of study in this program are available at standard and advanced level.
About the program
Mathematics and Statistics is an extremely diverse discipline (or even set of disciplines) that has common ideas and themes that develop and become clear to high achieving students as they progress in their studies. Generally speaking, a deep understanding of the common ideas and their application in both theoretical and practical spheres comes as a result of high-level syntheses rather than low-level foundational learning.
We want to give our very best students the opportunity to attain this level of learning through a program which enables them to engage across the breadth of the subject and to develop depth in one or more subdisciplines. This program will form an outstanding foundation for honours at 4000-level in Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics or Statistics.
Requirements for completion
A program in Mathematical Sciences requires 60 credit points, consisting of:
(i) A 48 credit point major in either Financial Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics or Statistics, and:
- For students with a major in Mathematics, 6 credit points of 2000-level selective units and 6 credit points of 3000-level selective mathematics or statistics units in addition to those counted towards the major.
- For students with a major in Financial Mathematics and Statistics or Statistics, 12 credit points of 2000-level selective mathematics or statistics units in addition to those counted towards the major.
First year
MATH1021/1921/1931, MATH1023/1923/1933 and MATH1002/1902, and 3 credit points from a selection of: MATH1004/1904 or MATH1005/1905. If you are taking a Science degree you must take either MATH1005/1905 or the combination DATA1001 and MATH1004/1904.
The first year units provide a strong foundation for further learning and a broad introduction to the Mathematical Sciences and will equip you for all of the majors, Mathematics, Financial Mathematics and Statistics, and Statistics, that are offered in this program. MATH1021/1921/1931 and MATH1023/1923/1933 extend your knowledge of calculus and introduce you to calculus of several variables and mathematical modelling with differential equations. MATH1002/1902 introduces you to linear algebra, including matrices and their applications. MATH1005/1905 introduces you to working with data and MATH1004/1904 is a unit on discrete mathematics, which is the mathematics of counting and arrangement.
All first year MATH units are 3 credit point units.
Second year
Based on major choice, students complete 6 or 12 credit points, in addition to those counted towards the major, from a selection of: MATH20212921, MATH20222922, MATH20232923, MATH2068/2988, MATH2069/2969, MATH2070/2970, STAT2011/2911, STAT2912, DATA2002. For further information about each major, please look at the handbook page for that major.
The program aims to give you a broad foundational knowledge at 2000 level that will equip you for study of one or more majors in third year.
Third year
Students completing a Mathematics major complete 6 credit points from a wide selection of mathematics or statistics units in addition to those counted towards the major. Students completing a Statistics major, or a Financial Mathematics and Statistics major will take all four 3000-level units listed in their major.
For further information about each major, please look at the Table A handbook page for that major.
In your third year you must take at least one designated project unit as well as a range of other specialist units for the major that you have chosen.
Fourth year
The fourth year is only offered within the combined Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies course.
Advanced coursework
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies advanced coursework option consists of 48 credit points, which must include a minimum of 24 credit points in a single subject area at 4000-level, including a project unit of study worth at least 12 credit points. Space is provided for 12 credit points towards the second major (if not already completed). 24 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2020.
Honours
Students who complete a major in Statistics are able to go on to honours in Statistics. Students who complete a major in Mathematics are able to go on to honours in Applied Mathematics or Pure Mathematics. Students who complete a major in Financial Mathematics and Statistics are able to go on to honours in Applied Mathematics or Statistics. Students must satisfy honours admission requirements.
Requirements for Honours for all areas of Mathematical Sciences: completion of 24 credit points of project work and 24 credit points of coursework.
Honours units of study will be available in 2020.
Contact and further information
W www.maths.usyd.edu.au/
First year enquiries email:
Other undergraduate enquiries email:
All enquiries phone: +61 2 9351 5804 or +61 2 9351 5787
School of Mathematics and Statistics
Level 5, Carslaw Building F07
University of Sydney NSW 2006
Professor Mary Myerscough
T +61 2 9351 3724
E
Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from Mathematical Sciences will be able to show:
- Ability to construct logical, clearly presented and justified arguments incorporating deductive reasoning
- Knowledge of the principles and concepts of a broad range of fundamental areas in mathematics and statistics
- Ability to formulate and model practical and abstract problems in mathematical or statistical terms using a variety of methods
- Ability to apply mathematical principles, concepts, techniques and technology to solve practical and abstract problems and interpret results critically
- Understanding of the breadth of the discipline, its role in other fields and the way that other fields contribute to development in Mathematical Sciences
- Appropriate interpretation of information communicated in statistical or mathematical form
- Appropriate presentation of information, reason and conclusions in a variety of modes to diverse audiences (expert and non-expert).