Mathematical
techniques and models form a significant component of nearly all branches of
modern science. Mathematics is also a vital and growing discipline in its own
right, and encompasses the formal study of numerical, algebraic and analytical
structures, the development of quantitative methods essential for the practice
and development of science, engineering, economics and other fields, and the
development and utilisation of mathematical and numerical models in various
contexts.
Subjects are offered in specialist areas of mathematics and statistics, as well
as in mathematical methods (designed in part to support subjects offered for
other disciplines). Areas for which specialist subjects are offered include
algebra, analysis and geometry, applied and computational mathematics,
statistics and probability, astronomy and astrophysics, atmospheric science and
fluid dynamics. Information sheets with suggested programs for these areas will
be available from the department prior to re-enrolment.
Mathematics subjects designed specifically to meet the requirements of the
faculties of Engineering and Information Technology are listed under the
relevant regulations for those courses.
For first, second and third-year mathematics subjects offered at the Clayton
campus, the fourth digit (0, 1 or 2) in the subject code indicates the semester
in which it is given, where 0 indicates that streams of the subject are
normally available in both first and second semester. For some mathematics
subjects not offered at the Clayton campus, the fourth digit in the subject
code may be 5, 6, 7 or 9.
Details
of the prerequisites for all subjects are provided in the individual subject
entries. Students must have successfully completed these prerequisite subjects
before commencing the subject unless a specific exemption has been provided by
the relevant year coordinator. Students considering completing a sequence in
mathematics or statistics are advised to determine the prerequisites for any
higher-level subjects in their area of interest before finalising their choice
of subjects. As a general rule, it is advisable to choose a set of subjects at
any level that leave several options open at higher levels.
From 2001, all subjects offered for the first three levels of the BSc and
associated degrees have MTH codes for mathematics subjects and STA codes for
statistics subjects. For details of the statistics subjects that are available
at the Clayton campus, see the ´Statistics' discipline entry in this
handbook. Some second and third-level astronomy and astrophysics (ASP) and
atmospheric science (ATM) subjects can also contribute towards minor and major
sequences in mathematics; consult the relevant year coordinator for details.
With the approval of the relevant year coordinator, students can replace some
subjects in a recommended program by equivalent subjects offered at the
Gippsland campus or by distance education mode.
First-year
coordinator: Dr Cristina Varsavsky
First-level mathematics subjects are provided for students from a wide variety
of backgrounds, from those who have not studied mathematics at VCE level to
those who have completed VCE Specialist Mathematics units 3 and 4. It is
recommended that all science students should include some mathematics in the
first year of their course, particularly those who have not completed VCE
Mathematical Methods units 3 and 4.
The first-level mathematics and statistics subjects available for science and
other students at the Clayton campus are:
The subjects
MTH1010, MTH1020 and MTH1030 are provided in support of other science
disciplines, as well as preparation for further studies in mathematics. They
should be taken sequentially commencing from a point that depends on a
student's previous studies in mathematics, for example by their level of
preparation from VCE level. MTH2010 is available to students at both first and
second level who have completed MTH1030, including first-year students who have
taken MTH1030 in their first semester. Further details of recommended
mathematics sequences are provided below.
The subjects STA1010 and MTH1112 can form part of a mathematics sequence at
first level, in combination with one or more of MTH1010, MTH1020 and MTH1030,
but any student who is considering completing a minor or major sequence in
mathematics may limit their options at higher years if MTH1030 is not taken in
their first year. STA1010 is designed specifically as a service subject in data
analysis and statistics for students intending to major in other disciplines,
particularly in psychology and the life sciences, as well as forming part of
the normal statistics sequence.
MTH1112 is a specialist mathematics subject but it also has a service role,
being recommended for students of computer science.
The department also offers the subject ASP1022 (Life and the universe),
described in the ´Astronomy and astrophysics' entry in this handbook, and
contributes to ATM1010 (The dynamic atmosphere), described in the
´Atmospheric science' entry.
For
students who have completed VCE Mathematical Methods units 3 and 4 with an
average grade of C or above in the written examination components, the
recommended mathematics first-level sequence is MTH1020 and MTH1030.
For students who have completed VCE Specialist Mathematics units 3 and 4 with
an average grade of B or above in the written examination components, the
recommended first-level mathematics sequence is MTH1030 and MTH2010. These
students may also choose to take MTH1112 or STA1010 instead of MTH2010 in their
first year.
For other students, the recommended first-year mathematics sequence is MTH1010
and MTH1020.
Students not intending to take any second-year mathematics subjects may choose
any one of the above recommended sequences or replace the second subject in any
of the sequences by STA1010.
It is recommended that BSc students complete SCI1020 prior to STA1010 if they
have not completed VCE Specialist Mathematics or achieved at least an average
grade of B or above in the written examination components of VCE Mathematical
Methods units 3 and 4.
Second
year coordinator: Dr Alan Pryde
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers second-level subjects in
mathematical methods as well as in a range of specialist areas. The
second-level mathematics and statistics subjects available for science and
other students at the Clayton campus are:
The subjects ASP2052
(Relativity and cosmology) and ATM2022 (Large-scale weather and climate) given
by the department can also be taken as part of a mathematics sequence. For
further details of the statistics (STA) sequences, see the ´Statistics'
discipline in this handbook.
There are many possible combinations of subjects. It is recommended that
students consult the second-year coordinator on their choice of subjects at the
time of re-enrolment to ensure that they receive an appropriate preparation for
higher-level studies in their area of interest. Information sheets with
suggested programs for a range of areas will be available from the department
prior to re-enrolment.
The subject MTH2000 (Mathematics research project level 2) is normally only
available to students in the BSc (Science Scholar Program), or by permission of
the head of department.
The School of Applied Sciences also offers some second-level mathematics and
statistics subjects at the Gippsland campus through distance education mode.
For 2001, these are: MTH2010 (coordinator: Dr John Arkinstall), MTH2032
(coordinator: Dr Alistair Carr), MTH2111 (coordinator: Dr John Arkinstall) and
MTH2256 (coordinator: Associate Professor Philip Rayment).
Third-year
coordinator: Dr Tom Hall
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers a broad range of
mathematics subjects at third-year level. Many of these subjects are intended
for non-specialist third-level studies in mathematics. Specialist subject areas
include algebra, analysis and geometry, applied and computational mathematics,
statistics and probability, astrophysics, atmospheric science and fluid
dynamics.
The third-level mathematics and statistics subjects available for science and
other students at the Clayton campus are:
The subjects
ASP3011 (Stars and galaxies), ASP3052 (Relativity and cosmology), ATM3011
(Weather and climate phenomena) and ATM3022 (Large-scale weather and climate)
given by the department can also be taken as part of any mathematics sequence.
For further details of the statistics (STA) sequences, see the
´Statistics' discipline entry in this handbook.
It is recommended that students consult with the third-year coordinator on
their choice of subjects at the time of re-enrolment to ensure they receive an
appropriate preparation for higher-level studies in their area of interest.
Information sheets with suggested programs will be available from the
department prior to re-enrolment
The subject MTH3000 (Mathematics research project level 3) is normally only
available to students in the BSc (Science Scholar Program), or by permission of
the head of department.
Fourth-year
coordinator: Dr Andrew Prentice
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the single subject MAT4000
to mathematics and statistics students at the honours level. The program
normally consists of some lecture units in addition to an essay unit and the
completion, under supervision, of a major project. A list of the fourth-year
lecture units will be available at the time of enrolment. A limited number of
third-level subjects, or units from other departments, may be substituted for
fourth-year units, as approved by the honours coordinator.
The minimum entry requirement to apply for honours studies in mathematics and
statistics is normally an average of at least distinction grade in 24 points of
third-year mathematics or statistics subjects, or equivalent. Applications for
entry into the program in the following year must be submitted normally before
the end of the third year of studies, but it is advisable to approach the
honours coordinator as early in that year as possible for advice. The
department also offers the subjects ASP4000 and ATM4000 for honours-level
studies in astrophysics and atmospheric science. Further details of these
subjects are provided under the fourth-year entries for those disciplines in
this handbook.
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