Mathematics and Statistics

Mathematics and Statistics are at the leading edge of knowledge, providing important new insights into nature, technology and business, while drawing on a rich history of ideas as old as civilisation itself. This major will enable you to gain depth of knowledge in a specialised area, as well as equip you with transferable skills related to conceptual understanding, problem solving, and teamwork.

There are four specialisations within the Mathematics and Statistics major. Students must complete the requirements for at least one of these specialisations.

  • Applied Mathematics specialisation

    In the Applied Mathematics specialisation, students develop the principles and techniques that allow mathematicians to develop models of the world around us. Such models enable mathematicians to predict the changes in environmental, chemical and financial systems that will occur as inputs change.

    Hear from a past student about Applied Mathematics:

    Subject choices

    Note: The information below is for students studying full-time and commencing in the start-of-year intake. Subject sequences may differ for students studying part-time or commencing mid-year. This page only lists the mathematics and statistics and computing subjects required for the Applied Mathematics specialisation, but students must also take additional science and breadth subjects to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Science. Students are encouraged to seek individual course advice if needed.

    Level-1 subjects (first year)

    Students take one of the standard first-year mathematics pathways.

    Level-2 subjects (second year)

    Students take the following level-2 Mathematics and Statistics subjects in their second year:

    • MAST20009 Vector Calculus or MAST20032 Vector Calculus: Advanced (semester 1)
    • MAST20030 Differential Equations (semester 2)
    • MAST20026 Real Analysis (semester 1 or 2) or MAST20033 Real Analysis: Advanced (semester 1)
      Note: students who completed MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2 do not take MAST20026 Real Analysis or MAST20033 Real Analysis: Advanced.

    And optionally one of:

    • MAST20004 Probability (semester 1 or 2)
    • MAST20006 Probability for Statistics (semester 1)

    Computing requirement

    In addition, students who do not already have evidence of competence in computer programming must complete one of the following computing subjects:

    • COMP10001 Foundations of Computing
      This subject is offered in semester 1 and 2 and may be taken in first or second year. This is the recommended option for most students.
    • COMP20005 Introduction to Numerical Computation in C
      This subject can be taken in semester 1 or 2. This subject does not have a level-1 computing prerequisite. It is therefore a suitable option for students wishing to take an introductory computing subject but who do not have space for any additional level-1 subjects in their course.
    • PHYC20013 Laboratory and Computational Physics 2
      First-year physics is required as a prerequisite for PHYC20013. This subject can be taken in semester 1 or 2. This is a suitable option for students who are also taking other level-2 physics subjects.

    Evidence of competence in computer programming could include passing a relevant Year 12 subject, or a statement of achievement from a relevant MOOC, or passing a programming competency test administered by another University of Melbourne School. For full details see the handbook entry for MAST30028 Numerical Methods and Scientific Computing.

    Level-3 subjects (third year)

    Students must complete the following subjects to satisfy the requirements for the Applied Mathematics specialisation.
    Both of:

    • MAST30021 Complex Analysis (semester 1 or 2)
    • MAST30028 Numerical Methods and Scientific Computing (semester 2)

    plus two of:

    • MAST30030 Applied Mathematical Modelling (semester 1)
    • MAST30032 Biological Modelling and Simulation (semester 1)
    • MAST30031 Methods of Mathematical Physics (semester 2)
    • MAST30001 Stochastic Modelling (semester 2)
      Note: Students wishing to take MAST30001 or MAST30032 must first complete MAST20004 Probability or MAST20006 Probability for Statistics.
  • Discrete Mathematics and Operations Research specialisation

    The specialisation in Discrete Mathematics and Operations Research gives students a firm foundation in two areas of mathematics and statistics:

    • Discrete Mathematics, the study of algorithmic development including the programming of the most efficient mathematical solutions, has arisen from the huge revolution in computing in recent decades.
    • Operations Research provides a scientific approach to decision making. It involves formulating mathematical models of these problems, and developing mathematical tools to obtain solutions.

    Hear from a past student about Discrete Mathematics and Operations Research:

    Subject choices

    Note: The information below is for students studying full-time and commencing in the start-of-year intake. Subject sequences may differ for students studying part-time or commencing mid-year. This page only lists the mathematics and statistics subjects required for the Discrete Mathematics and Operations Research specialisation, but students must also take additional science and breadth subjects to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Science. Students are encouraged to seek individual course advice if needed.

    Level-1 subjects (first year)

    Students take one of the standard first-year mathematics pathways.

    Students are also recommended to take a computing subject such as COMP10001 Foundations of Computing.

    Level-2 subjects (second year)

    Students take the following level-2 Mathematics and Statistics subjects in their second year:

    • MAST20004 Probability (semester 1 or 2) or  MAST20006 Probability for Statistics (semester 1)
    • MAST20018 Discrete Mathematics and Operations Research (semester 2)
    • MAST20026 Real Analysis (semester 1 or 2) or  MAST20033 Real Analysis: Advanced (semester 1)
      Note: Students who completed MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2 do not take MAST20026 Real Analysis or MAST20033 Real Analysis: Advanced.

    And optionally:

    • MAST20005 Statistics (semester 2 or summer)

    Level-3 subjects (third year)

    Students must complete the following subjects to satisfy the requirements for the Discrete Mathematics and Operations Research specialisation.
    All of:

    • MAST30021 Complex Analysis (semester 1 or 2)
    • MAST30013 Techniques in Operations Research (semester 1)
    • MAST30012 Discrete Mathematics (semester 2)

    plus one of:

    • MAST30001 Stochastic Modelling (semester 2)
    • MAST30011 Graph Theory (semester 1)
    • MAST30025 Linear Statistical Models (semester 1)
      Note: Students wishing to take MAST30025 must first complete MAST20005 Statistics.
    • MAST30022 Decision Making (semester 2)
  • Pure Mathematics specialisation

    Mathematics is both an art and a science, and pure mathematics is its foundation. A specialisation in pure mathematics gives students the opportunity to study the basic concepts that underly all mathematical applications.

    Subject choices

    Note: The information below is for students studying full-time and commencing in the start-of-year intake. Subject sequences may differ for students studying part-time or commencing mid-year. This page only lists the mathematics and statistics subjects required for the Pure Mathematics specialisation, but students must also take additional science and breadth subjects to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Science. Students are encouraged to seek individual course advice if needed.

    Level-1 subjects (first year)

    Students take one of the standard first-year mathematics pathways.

    Students are also recommended to take a computing subject such as COMP10001 Foundations of Computing.

    Level-2 subjects (second year)

    Students take the following level-2 Mathematics and Statistics subjects in their second year:

    • MAST20026 Real Analysis or  MAST20033 Real Analysis: Advanced (semester 1)
      Note: Students who completed MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2 do not take MAST20026 Real Analysis or MAST20033 Real Analysis: Advanced.
    • MAST20009 Vector Calculus (semester 1 or 2) or MAST20032 Vector Calculus: Advanced (semester 1)
    • MAST20022 Group Theory and Linear Algebra (semester 2)

    Level-3 subjects (third year)

    Students must complete the following subjects to satisfy the requirements for the Pure Mathematics specialisation.
    All of:

    • MAST30021 Complex Analysis (semester 1 or 2)
    • MAST30005 Algebra (semester 1)
    • MAST30026 Metric and Hilbert Spaces (semester 2)

    plus one of:

    • MAST30011 Graph Theory (semester 1)
    • MAST30012 Discrete Mathematics (semester 2)
    • MAST30024 Geometry (semester 2)
  • Statistics and Stochastic Processes specialisation

    The Statistics and Stochastic Processes specialisation gives students a firm foundation in two areas:

    • Applied statistics develops, tests and deploys tools that measure, control and reduce the uncertainty in the environment, marketplace or in biological entities.
    • Stochastic processes provides models for random processes in the environment such as financial markets, living organisms, populations, genetics, epidemics, queues and earthquakes.

    Subject choices

    Note: The information below is for students studying full-time and commencing in the start-of-year intake. Subject sequences may differ for students studying part-time or commencing mid-year. This page only lists the mathematics and statistics subjects required for the Statistics and Stochastic Processes specialisation, but students must also take additional science and breadth subjects to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Science. Students are encouraged to seek individual course advice if needed.

    Level-1 subjects (first year)

    Students take one of the standard first-year mathematics pathways.

    Students are also recommended to take a computing subject such as COMP10001 Foundations of Computing.

    Level-2 subjects (second year)

    Students take the following level-2 Mathematics and Statistics subjects in their second year:

    • MAST20004 Probability (semester 1 or 2) or  MAST20006 Probability for Statistics (semester 1)
    • MAST20005 Statistics (semester 2 or summer)
    • MAST20026 Real Analysis (semester 1 or 2) or  MAST20033 Real Analysis: Advanced (semester 1)
      Note: Students who completed MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2 do not take MAST20026 Real Analysis or MAST20033 Real Analysis: Advanced.

    Level-3 subjects (third year)

    Students must complete the following subjects to satisfy the requirements for the Statistics and Stochastic Processes specialisation.
    Both of:

    • MAST30025 Linear Statistical Models (semester 1)
    • MAST30001 Stochastic Modelling (semester 2)

    plus at least one of:

    • MAST30020 Probability for Inference (semester 1)
      Note: If MAST20006 Probability for Statistics was chosen in second year, a grade of at least H2B is required in MAST20006 for entry to MAST30020.
    • MAST30027 Modern Applied Statistics (semester 2)

    plus (if only one of the subjects MAST30020 Probability for Inference and MAST30027 Modern Applied Statistics was chosen)

    • Any other level-3 MAST subject offered by the School of Mathematics and Statistics