Mathematics is the universal language used to describe, model, understand and even create aspects of the world around us. Mathematics and statistics encompass 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.
The School of Mathematical Sciences offers a comprehensive program of mathematics units at all undergraduate levels. It encompasses a wide range of areas of modern mathematics, from mathematical methods to statistics to pure mathematics, and also demonstrates applications of mathematics across a variety of fields. In addition to the broad minor, major and extended major in mathematics, specialised majors and extended majors are offered in each of applied mathematics, mathematical statistics, pure mathematics, and financial and insurance mathematics. There are cross links between statistics and pure and applied 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. Some of the exciting areas that mathematicians at Monash are working on include mathematical modelling to predict behaviour, analysis using pure mathematics, and stochastic processes involving risk, randomness and change.
By studying mathematics 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. Analytical and quantitative skills in general are sought by a wide range of employers, and a sound knowledge of mathematics and statistics is important in most other areas of science, economics, medicine and engineering. Mathematics and statistics are the two cornerstones for decision making and various quantitative activities in commerce, industry, education and defence. 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.
Availability
Mathematics 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 mathematics
- 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 areas, applications and problems
- demonstrate skills in the written presentation of a mathematical argument that enable mathematical concepts, processes and results to be communicated effectively to diverse audiences.
Minor requirements (24 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1.
Students complete:
- One level 1 science sequence (12 points) from the following:
- MTH1020 Analysis of change and MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
- MTH1030 Techniques for modelling and MTH2010 Multivariable calculus
- MTH1030 Techniques for modelling and STA1010 Statistical methods for science
- MTH1030 Techniques for modelling and MAT1830 Discrete mathematics for computer science
Students studying the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science choose from the following:
- ENG1090 Foundation mathematics and ENG1005 Engineering mathematics
- ENG1005 Engineering mathematics and MTH2040 Mathematical modelling
- ENG1005 Engineering mathematics and STA1010 Statistical methods for science
- ENG1005 Engineering mathematics and MAT1830 Discrete mathematics for computer science
Note 1: The mathematics background and interests of students will determine the suitable sequence. For example, MTH1020 requires students to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods (or equivalent) or MTH1010 (Functions and their applications). MTH1030 requires students to have studied VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) or MTH1020. Students who have not completed the prerequisites for MTH1020 should first take MTH1010, but note that MTH1010 is not counted within any level 1 science sequence in mathematics.
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. 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.
Note 3: For students in the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science the units ENG1090 and ENG1005 can count as part of the minor for the purpose of this requirement; the units do not count towards the 96 points of science units required for the Bachelor of Science.
Note 4: For students in the double degree S2004 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Computer Science the unit MTH1030 together with the unit MAT1830 can count as part of the minor for the purpose of this requirement; the units do not count towards the 96 points of science units required for the Bachelor of Science. Similarly, for students in the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science specialising in software engineering the unit ENG1005 together with the unit MAT1830 can count as part of the minor for the purpose of this requirement; the units do not count towards the 96 points of science units required for the Bachelor of Science.
- One of the following units (6 points):
- MTH2010 Multivariable calculus or MTH2015 Multivariable calculus (advanced)
Students studying the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science complete the following unit:
- ENG2005 Advanced engineering mathematics
Note 5: If MTH2010 or MTH2015 was completed as part of the level 1 science sequence, replace it with a level 2 unit from the elective list below.
Note 6: For students in the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science the unit ENG2005 can count as part of the minor for the purpose of this requirement; the unit does not count towards the 96 points of Science units required for the Bachelor of Science.
- One additional level 2 MTH-coded unit (6 points) from the elective list below or from the following:
- MTH2021 Linear algebra with applications or MTH2025 Linear algebra (advanced)
Major requirements (48 points)
No more than 12 points may be at level 1 and at least 18 points must be completed at level 3.
Students complete:
- The requirements for the minor in mathematics (24 points)
- The following unit (6 points):
- MTH2021 Linear algebra with applications or MTH2025 Linear algebra (advanced)
Note 7: If MTH2021 or MTH2025 was completed as part of the minor, replace it with a unit from the elective list below.
Note 8: MTH2025 is available only to students with a strong mathematics background. Students will need to seek permission to enrol in this unit at the Science Student ServicesScience Student Services (http://www.monash.edu/science/current/undergraduate/help) office.
- One unit (6 points) from the following:
- MTH3011 Partial differential equations
- MTH3051 Introduction to computational mathematics
- MTH3110 Differential geometry
- MTH3140 Real analysis
- Two additional level 3 units (12 points) from the elective list below, with overall at least three units (18 points) at level 3.
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 mathematics (48 points)
- Four additional units (24 points) from the elective list below, with at least six units (36 points) at level 3.
Elective list
Requirements for progressing to honours
Successful completion of 24 points of relevant level 3 units listed above, of which normally at least 18 points are relevant to the honours project.
Refer to S3701 Bachelor of Science (Honours) for full details.
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
