Coordinators: listed below for each year level
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.
Units are offered in specialist areas of mathematics and statistics, as well as
in mathematical methods (designed in part to support units offered for other
disciplines). Areas for which specialist units 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 school prior to re-enrolment.
Mathematics units 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 units offered at the Clayton
campus, the fourth digit (0, 1 or 2) in the unit code indicates the semester in
which it is given, where 0 indicates that streams of the unit are normally
available in both first and second semester. For some mathematics units not
offered at the Clayton campus, the fourth digit in the unit code may be 5, 6, 7
or 9.
Details
of the prerequisites for all units are provided in the individual unit entries.
Students must have successfully completed these prerequisite units before
commencing the unit 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 units in their area of interest before finalising their choice of
units. As a general rule, it is advisable to choose a set of units at any level
that leave several options open at higher levels.
All units offered for the first three levels of the BSc and associated degrees
have MTH codes for mathematics units and STA codes for statistics units. For
details of the statistics units 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) units 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
units in a recommended program by equivalent units offered at the Gippsland
campus or by OCDL mode.
First-year
coordinator: Dr Cristina Varsavsky
First-level mathematics units 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 level-one mathematics units in
their course, particularly those who have not completed VCE Mathematical
Methods units 3 and 4.
The first-level mathematical sciences units available for science and other
students at the Clayton campus are:
The units 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 units STA1010, MTH1112 and MTH1122 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
unit 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 unit but it also has a service role, being
recommended for students of computer science.
MTH1122 is designed for arts and education students. It would also be useful
for science students provided there is room in their program and it does not
constrain their progression to higher-level studies.
The school also offers the unit 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, MTH1122 or STA1010 instead of MTH2010
in their first year.
For other students, the recommended first-level mathematics sequence is MTH1010
and MTH1020.
Students not intending to take any level-two mathematics units may choose any
one of the above recommended sequences or replace the second unit in any of the
sequences by STA1010 or MTH1122.
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 Tom Hall
The School of Mathematical Sciences offers second-level units in mathematical
methods as well as in a range of specialist areas. The second-level mathematics
and statistics units available for science and other students at the Clayton
campus are:
The astrophysics and atmospheric science units given by the school:
can also be taken as part
of any mathematics sequence at level two.
There are many possible combinations of units. It is recommended that students
consult the second-year coordinator on their choice of units 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 school prior
to re-enrolment.
The unit 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 school.
The School of Applied Sciences also offers some level-two mathematics and
statistics units at the Gippsland campus and through OCDL mode. For 2002, these
are: MTH2010 (coordinator: Dr John Arkinstall), MTH2032 (coordinator: Dr
Alistair Carr) and STA2216 (coordinator: Associate Professor Philip Rayment).
Third-year
coordinator: Dr Hans Lausch
The School of Mathematical Sciences offers a broad range of mathematics units
at level three. Many of these units are intended for non-specialist third-level
studies in mathematics. Specialist unit 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 units available for science and
other students at the Clayton campus are:
The astrophysics and atmospheric science units given by the school:
can also be taken as part
of any mathematics sequence at level three.
It is recommended that students consult with the third-year coordinator on
their choice of units 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 school
prior to re-enrolment
The unit 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 school.
The School of Applied Sciences also offers some level-three mathematics and
statistics units at the Gippsland campus and through OCDL mode. For 2002 these
are MTH3066 (coordinator: Dr John Arkinstall), MTH3077 (coordinator: Dr
Alistair Carr), STA3217 (coordinator: Associate Professor Philip Rayment) and
MTH3276 (coordinator: Associate Professor Philip Rayment).
Fourth-year
coordinator: Dr Maria Athanassenas
The School of Mathematical Sciences offers the single unit MTH4000 to
mathematics and statistics students at the honours level. The program normally
consists of some lecture topics in addition to an essay topic and the
completion, under supervision, of a major project. A list of the fourth-year
lecture topics will be available at the time of enrolment. A limited number of
level-three units, or units from other schools, may be substituted for
fourth-year topics, as approved by the honours coordinator.
The minimum entry requirement to apply for honours studies in mathematical
sciences is normally an average of at least distinction grade in 24 points of
level-three mathematics or statistics units, or equivalent. This will normally
include at least 18 points in the area of study in which the student proposes
to enrol. 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 school also offers the units ASP4000 and ATM4000 for
honours-level studies in astrophysics and atmospheric science. Further details
of these units are provided under the honours entries for those disciplines in
this handbook.
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