Statistics is the branch of mathematics that captures the interplay of data and theory. There are two important parts of statistics - the mathematical theory and the applications of this theory in the real world. Mathematical statistics is the branch of mathematics that deals with models involving a random, unpredictable component. Real world applications are many and varied, and allow the making of informed decisions in the face of uncertainty. Statistics turns numerical data into useful - even gripping - information about anything from the effect of a new cancer drug, to our economic performance, to changes in how we partner and reproduce. It allows us to make sound judgements based on evidence rather than gut feelings.
The School of Mathematical Sciences offers a comprehensive program of mathematics and statistics units at all undergraduate levels. It encompasses a wide range of areas of modern mathematics, from mathematical methods to statistics to pure mathematics, as well as demonstrating the applications of mathematics and statistics across a variety of fields. In addition to the minor, major and extended major in mathematical statistics, a broader major and extended major is offered in mathematics, along with specialised programs in applied mathematics, pure mathematics, and financial and insurance mathematics. There are cross-links between statistics and applied and pure mathematics and this is reflected in the mix of units that students can select to complete a major or extended major. Our curriculum is continuously updated to ensure that our students are exposed to the latest developments in mathematics, and acquire skills relevant to the current needs of industry.
The use of statistics is constantly expanding and a sound knowledge of the discipline is important, even for those who do not complete a major in the area. By studying mathematical statistics at university, students will also develop general skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, modelling, scholarship, analysis and research, which can be used wherever their career may take them. Successful companies and organisations know their competitive edge depends on the analytical, quantitative and statistical skills of their workforce, and therefore seek employees with a sound mathematical training. When it comes to job opportunities, statistical skills are needed everywhere - from the sports arena and market research to finance, forensics, management consulting and medical research.
Availability
Mathematical statistics is listed in S2000 Bachelor of Science, S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours) and S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours) at Clayton as a major, extended major or minor.
Outcomes
In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major or extended major will be able to:
- display basic knowledge and key technical skills in advanced calculus and linear algebra as well as high-level knowledge of and skills in the important techniques, terminology and processes of probability, statistics and stochastic processes
- develop, apply, integrate and generate knowledge through abstraction and insight, and use high-level critical thinking skills to analyse, use and interpret the mathematics that arises across a range of applications of mathematics and statistics in science, medicine, economics or engineering
- demonstrate skills in the written presentation of a mathematical argument that enable statistical concepts, processes and results to be communicated effectively to diverse audiences.
Minor requirements (24 points)
6 points at level 1 and 18 points at level 2.
Students complete:
Note 1: Students studying the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science must replace MTH1030 with ENG1005 and MTH2010 with ENG2005.
Note 2: Students with a strong mathematics background and an interest in the subject could replace the units MTH1030 and/or MTH2010 with their advanced versions MTH1035 and/or MTH2015 respectively. Students will need to seek permission to enrol in these units at the Science Student ServicesScience Student Services (http://www.monash.edu/science/current/undergraduate/help) office.
Major requirements (48 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 and at least 18 points at level 3.
Students complete:
- One level one sequence (12 points) from the following:
- MTH1030 Techniques for modelling and STA1010 Statistical methods for science
- MTH1030 Techniques for modelling and MTH2010 Multivariable calculus
Note 1: Students studying the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science must replace MTH1030 with ENG1005 and MTH2010 with ENG2005.
Note 2: Students with a strong mathematics background and an interest in the subject could replace the units MTH1030 and/or MTH2010 with their advanced versions MTH1035 and/or MTH2015 respectively. Students will need to seek permission to enrol in these units at the Science Student ServicesScience Student Services (http://www.monash.edu/science/current/undergraduate/help) office.
- The following three units (18 points):
- MTH2010 Multivariable calculus or MTH2015 Multivariable calculus (advanced)
- MTH2222 Mathematics of uncertainty
- MTH2232 Mathematical statistics
Note 3: If MTH2010 or MTH2015 was completed as part of the level 1 science sequence, replace it with either MTH2021, MTH2025, MTH2140 or MTH3140.
Note 4: Students studying the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science must replace MTH2010 with ENG2005.
- Three units (18 points) chosen from the following four:
- MTH3230 Time series and random processes in linear systems
- MTH3241 Random processes in the sciences and engineering
- MTH3251 Financial mathematics
- MTH3260 Statistics of stochastic processes
Extended major requirements (72 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 and at least 36 points at level 3.
Students complete:
- The requirements for the major in mathematical statistics (48 points)
- One of MTH3230, MTH3241, MTH3251 or MTH3260, if not already taken as part of the major in mathematical statistics
- At least three additional units (18 points) from the following, with overall at least six units (36 points) at level 3:
- ETC3400 Principles of econometrics or ETC3420 Applied insurance methods
- MTH2021 Linear algebra with applications or MTH2025 Linear algebra (advanced)
- MTH2032 Differential equations with modelling
- MTH2051 Introduction to computational mathematics
- MTH2121 Algebra and number theory or MTH3121 Algebra and number theory
- MTH2140 Real analysis or MTH3140 Real analysis
- MTH3000 Mathematics research project level 3
- MTH3011 Partial differential equations
- MTH3020 Complex analysis and integral transforms
- MTH3051 Introduction to computational mathematics
- MTH3060 Advanced ordinary differential equations
- MTH3110 Differential geometry
- MTH3130 Topology: The mathematics of shape
- MTH3150 Algebra and number theory 2
- MTH3160 Metric spaces, Banach spaces, Hilbert spaces
- MTH3170 Network mathematics
- MTH3310 Applied mathematical modelling
- MTH3320 Computational linear algebra
- MTH3330 Optimisation and operations research
- MTH3360 Fluid dynamics
Note 5: Students studying towards the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science must replace MTH2032 with MTH2040.
Requirements for progressing to honours and other further studies
Students must meet the entry requirements for S3701 Bachelor of Science (Honours), M5021 Graduate Diploma of Health and Science Research or meet the progression requirements to the fourth year of S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours).
Students must also complete prerequisite study as per the intended discipline. Refer to the honours prerequisites table.
Bachelors
Single degrees
Successful completion of this area of study can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degrees:*
- S2000 Bachelor of Science
- S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours)
- S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours)
Students in other single bachelor's degrees may be eligible to complete the minor or major by using 24 or 48 points of their free electives.
Double degrees
Successful completion of this area of study can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the Bachelor of Science component in the following double degrees:*
- B2023 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science
- B2016 Bachelor of Commerce Specialist and Bachelor of Science
- D3005 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
- E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
- C2003 Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Science
- L3007 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
- S2006 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts
- S2007 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- S2004 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Computer Science
- S2003 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Global Studies
- S2005 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Music
