First-year Mathematics and Statistics
Your first-year mathematics and statistics options depend on the mathematics subjects that you studied at school, your grades, and your bachelor degree.
The following tables list first-year mathematics options for some of the most common school qualifications. If you completed other qualifications or other mathematics subjects please use the Enrolment Assistance form to request a requisite waiver and attach a copy of your transcript from your non-VCE qualification.
Options for first-year statistics are described below.
| Secondary Education | Subject Studied | Level Achieved | Maths Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| VCE | Specialist Mathematics 3/4 or equivalent | Study score greater than or equal to 38 | I |
| Specialist Mathematics 3/4 or equivalent | 36, 37 | II | |
| Specialist Mathematics 3/4 or equivalent | 29 - 35 | III | |
| Specialist Mathematics 3/4 or equivalent | Study score less than or equal to 29 † | IV | |
| Mathematical Methods 3/4 only or equivalent | Study score greater than or equal to 25 | IV | |
| International Baccalaureate | Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL | Greater than or equal to 6 | I |
| Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL | 5 | II | |
| Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL | 4 | III | |
| Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL | Less than 4 | IV | |
| Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL | Greater than or equal to 4 | IV | |
| Mathematics Applications and Interpretations HL | Greater than or equal to 4 | IV | |
| Trinity College Foundation Studies | Mathematics 2 and Mathematics 1 | Greater than or equal to 90 | I |
| Mathematics 2 and Mathematics 1 | 85 - 89 | II | |
| Mathematics 2 and Mathematics 1 | 50 - 84 | III | |
| Mathematics 1 only | Greater than or equal to 50 | IV | |
| GCE A-Level CIE (Cambridge) | Mathematics | A or A* | I |
| Mathematics | B | II | |
| Mathematics | C | III |
† Students with a VCE Specialist Mathematics study score of 29 may choose either option III or option IV.
Students who have completed any of the above school qualifications satisfy the mathematics prerequisite for ECON10003, ECON10004 and ENGR10004.
Mathematics options
| Maths Option | Eligible subjects |
|---|---|
| I | Standard stream:
|
| II | Standard stream:
|
| III | Standard stream:
|
| IV |
Statistics: see table below |
In some cases, students who fall slightly short of the criterion for entry into the Accelerated Mathematics subjects MAST10008 and MAST10009 may sit an additional test, the Advanced Placement Test, to seek entry to MAST10008. Information about the Advanced Placement Test is available here.
Students who have taken UMEP mathematics should see here for information about first-year mathematics options.
Here are some recommendations for preparing for your first-year mathematics studies.
If you have any questions regarding Mathematics and Statistics subjects, contact the Mathematics and Statistics Learning Centre at mslc-approvals@unimelb.edu.au
Statistics options
The first-year statistics subjects available to you depends on your bachelor degree.
| Bachelor Degree | First-year statistics options |
|---|---|
Arts, Design, Music, Science | |
Biomedicine | |
Commerce | Bachelor of Commerce students study statistics as part of the quantitative requirement. |
Students intending to continue to level-2 (second-year) mathematics and statistics should take one of the four first-year mathematics and statistics pathways below. Which pathway(s) you can take depends on the level of mathematics that you completed at school and on your grades.
Completing one of these pathways satisfies the prerequisites for level-2 mathematics and statistics subjects.
The information below is intended for students commencing in semester 1. Students commencing mid-year are recommended to seek individual course advice.
MAST10005 Calculus 1 stream
For students who completed VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 but not VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4, or achieved a VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 study score ≤ 29, or equivalent
| Semester 1 | MAST10005 Calculus 1 |
| Semester 2 | MAST10006 Calculus 2 |
| Semester 2 or summer semester | MAST10007 Linear Algebra |
Standard stream
For students with a study score ≥ 29 in VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 or equivalent
Our flagship first-year subjects cover the essential material with a focus on computation and applications. They are perfect for students who need to know mathematics in their chosen major or who want to broaden their education.
| Semester 1 | MAST10006 Calculus 2 |
| Semester 2 | MAST10007 Linear Algebra |
Bachelor of Science students in this stream can also take MAST10010 Data Analysis 1 in semester 2 if they wish.
Advanced stream
For students with a study score ≥ 36 in VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 or equivalent
The advanced stream is for students who want to understand the core first-year material in greater depth than would be possible in MAST10006/10007 or MAST10008/10009. This stream features more emphasis on mathematical proof, formal logic and communication than the accelerated or standard streams. It is designed for strong students interested in the beauty of formal mathematics, particularly those who intend to study higher level mathematics, statistics, physics and mathematical physics.
| Semester 1 | MAST10022 Linear Algebra: Advanced |
| Semester 2 | MAST10021 Calculus 2: Advanced |
Bachelor of Science students in this stream can also take MAST10010 Data Analysis 1 in semester 2 if they wish.
Accelerated stream
For students with a study score ≥ 38 in VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 or equivalent
The accelerated stream is for strong students who want to quickly cover the core first-year mathematics material as well as the equivalent of a second-year subject MAST20026 Real Analysis in two semesters. This rapid treatment also has more emphasis on mathematical proof than MAST10006 and MAST10007. This stream is highly recommended for Bachelor of Commerce students looking to major in Actuarial Studies.
| Semester 1 | MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1 |
| Semester 2 | MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2 |
Bachelor of Science students in this stream can also take MAST10010 Data Analysis 1 in semester 2 if they wish.
Students with a Specialist Mathematics 3/4 study score of 35-37 may apply to sit the Advanced Placement Test to seek entry to the accelerated stream. Information about the Advanced Placement Test is available here.
The following subjects may be relevant to some students.
| Subject | Description | Available in these degrees |
|---|---|---|
MAST10010 | This subject lays the foundations for an understanding of the fundamental concepts of probability and statistics required for data analysis. Students should develop expertise in some of the statistical techniques commonly used in the design and analysis of experiments, and will gain experience in the use of a major statistical computing package. Recommended for students of biosciences and psychology, and those wishing to gain some knowledge of statistics. | Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Biomedicine (as a Foundation Elective) Bachelors of Arts, Design and Music (as breadth) |
MAST10011 Experimental Design and Data Analysis | An understanding of statistics is essential for conducting medical research, and for interpreting published research. This subject covers fundamental concepts of probability and statistics that are required for experimental design and data analysis in the health sciences. The presentation and interpretation of the results from statistical analyses of typical health research studies are emphasised. Recommended for Bachelor of Biomedicine students. | Bachelor of Biomedicine (as a Foundation Elective) |
MAST10016 Mathematics for Biomedicine | This subject introduces mathematical modelling in a variety of biomedical contexts, including genetics, chemical reaction kinetics, and modelling the spread of infectious diseases. Emphasis is placed on understanding how biological principles can give rise to quantitative models, and how quantitative models can give insight into natural phenomena. Recommended for Bachelor of Biomedicine students. | Bachelor of Biomedicine (as a Foundation Elective) |
MAST10012 Introduction to Mathematics | Students will strengthen and develop algebraic and conceptual skills, building a firm mathematical base for MAST10005 Calculus 1. Recommended for Design, Arts and Music students who did not complete VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 or equivalent who are wishing to strengthen their mathematics and statistics skills or seeking a pathway to MAST10005 Calculus 1. This subject is not available to Science, Biomedicine or Commerce students, or to students with a study score of at least 25 in VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 or equivalent. | Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Design Bachelor of Music |
This information is for students who completed UMEP Extension Mathematics during secondary school.
- Students who have completed MAST10018 Linear Algebra Extension Studies may be granted credit in their Bachelor degree program for MAST10007 Linear Algebra.
- Students who have completed MAST10019 Calculus Extension Studies may be granted credit in their Bachelor degree program for MAST10006 Calculus 2 (additional reading on sequences and series may be required before commencing studies in certain subjects).
Being granted credit provides the option of having a lighter study load at some stage during the degree. Alternatively, students may decide not to receive credit. In this case, if needed, MAST10018 and MAST10019 may just be used as a prerequisite for other subjects in their degree.
Students in the Bachelor of Science who have completed both semesters of the UMEP program (MAST10018 and MAST10019) will be able to take one of the following subjects in their first semester of first year, according to their grades in MAST10018 and MAST10019:
| Subject | Prerequisite | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| MAST20004 Probability | Grade of at least 60 in MAST10019 and a pass in MAST10018 | Required for a major in Actuarial Studies |
| MAST20006 Probability for Statistics | Pass in both MAST10018 and MAST10019 | Useful for students considering a specialisation in statistics |
| MAST20009 Vector Calculus | Pass in both MAST10018 and MAST10019 | Required and/or recommended for majors in Mathematics or Physics |
| MAST20032 Vector Calculus: Advanced | Grade of at least 75 in both MAST10018 and MAST10019 |
Only one of the subjects listed above can be taken in a student's first semester; other level-2 mathematics & statistics subjects cannot be taken until a student's second semester or later.
In general, we recommend that students wishing to continue with mathematics and statistics take MAST20026 Real Analysis in their second semester of first year. Note that Real Analysis is a prerequisite for most level-3 mathematics and statistics subjects.
Engineering systems major
We recommend Bachelor of Science students intending to take an Engineering Systems major complete the following mathematics subjects in their first year, according to their intended engineering specialisation.
| Engineering major | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering Systems | MAST20009 Vector Calculus | MAST20026 Real Analysis |
| Other engineering systems major | MAST20009 Vector Calculus | MAST20030 Differential Equations |
Completion of MAST20009 Vector Calculus and MAST20030 Differential Equations satisfies the MAST20029 Engineering Mathematics requirement for level-3 engineering subjects.
UMEP students are encouraged to seek course advice from their Faculty and the School of Mathematics and Statistics before selecting subjects in their first year of university study.
For information about the UMEP mathematics courses (content, assessment, etc.) please contact the UMEP Mathematics subject coordinators: ms-mslc-umep@unimelb.edu.au
For questions about enrolment, please contact extension-program@unimelb.edu.au