Coordinators: Listed below for each 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 are
available from the School of Mathematical Sciences prior to re- enrolment.
All units offered for the first three levels of the Bachelor of Science 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' 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. 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, often with MAT codes; normally these units cannot be taken as part of
a mathematics sequence for the students in the Bachelor of Science and related
courses.
For first, second and third-level 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 either or both of 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. 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 off-campus learning.
Minor sequence in mathematics (24 points):
Major sequence in mathematics (48 points):
Details of the ASP, ATM and STA units, and some related sequences, are described in the `Astronomy and astrophysics', `Atmospheric science' and `Statistics' entries in this section of the handbook.
* Up to six points of other relevant mathematical units may also be included with the approval of the head of the school of mathematical sciences, including PHS3131 and PHS3142.
There are many possible combinations of mathematics units and strong prerequisite requirements on mathematics sequences. 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, and may seek the assistance of the relevant year coordinator. Information sheets with suggested programs are available from the school. As a general rule, it is advisable to choose a set of units at any level that leave several options open at higher levels.
Coordinator: Dr Cristina Varsavsky
Level one 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 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 level one, 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 of Mathematical Sciences also offers the unit ASP1022, described in
the `Astronomy and astrophysics' entry in this section of the handbook, and
contributes to ATM1010, 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 level one 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 level one 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 level-one 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.
Coordinator: Dr Tom Hall
The School of Mathematical Sciences offers level-two units in mathematical methods as well as in a range of specialist areas. The astrophysics and atmospheric science units given by the school, ASP2051 and ATM2022, can also be taken as part of any mathematics sequence at level two.
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 off-campus learning.
Coordinator: Associate Professor 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 astrophysics and atmospheric science units given by the school, ASP3012, ASP3051 and ATM3011 can also be taken as part of any mathematics sequence at level three.
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 off- campus learning.
Coordinator: Dr Maria Athanassenas
The School of Mathematical Sciences offers honours studies in mathematics and statistics for students commencing in either first or second semester. 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 honours-level studies in astrophysics and atmospheric science and lecture units from these can be taken as part of honours studies in mathematics; further details are provided under the honours entries for those disciplines in this handbook.
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