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 or 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.
plus one of:
- MAST20018 Discrete Mathematics and Operations Research (semester 2)
- MAST20035 Introduction to Operations Research (semester 2)
And optionally:
- MAST20005 Statistics (semester 2 or summer)
- MAST20036 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics (semester 1)
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:
- MAST30013 Techniques in Operations Research (semester 1)
- MAST30012 Discrete Mathematics (semester 2)
plus one of:
- MAST30021 Complex Analysis (semester 1 or 2)
- MAST30022 Decision Making (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)