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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : Mathematical Sciences

Faculty of Arts

Mathematical Sciences

In the Mathematical Sciences one explores in both qualitative and quantitative terms the themes of change and evolution, chance, choice, and shape. Archaeological evidence shows that Mathematical Sciences have been practised continuously for more than 4000 years, from the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia to the research laboratories of Silicon Valley. They have always been highly valued for the development of logical and analytical modes of thought, and their high points are among the greatest achievements of the human intellect. More pragmatically, Mathematical Sciences are the foundation of much of modern technology, and studies in Mathematical Sciences prepare the student for life in an increasingly technological world.

The School of Mathematical Sciences comprises the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics in the Faculty of Science, and the Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Engineering. For a description of career opportunities, see the Faculty of Arts entries for these three individual departments. The three departments offer subjects listed in detail in the Science Faculty section of the Handbook, numbered with the prefixes 433 (Computer Science), 618 (Mathematics) and 619 (Statistics). The Mathematics and Statistics Departments also cooperate in presenting one first-year subject bearing the 617 (Mathematical Sciences) prefix.

Prerequisites

First year: Students planning to study Mathematics or Statistics within the Bachelor of Arts degree should read the present description of the School of Mathematical Sciences to understand the available first-year selections, before turning to the separate entries for the Department of Mathematics or the Department of Statistics, where later-year subjects are described.

Later years: Entry into Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics subjects is controlled by a system of prerequisites and corequisites. Students limiting their selection to 12.5 or 25 points in Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics or Statistics in first year have limited options in later years, and it is usually preferable for students wishing to pursue substantial studies in Mathematics or Statistics to select 37.5 or 50 points in Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics or Statistics in first year. To permit further studies in Statistics, one of 617-141 Scientific Programming and Simulation or 619-100 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis is usually required. Exceptionally well-qualified students may be permitted by the Head of the Department of Statistics to enrol in 619-201 Probability. The School of Mathematical Sciences recommends that students not electing to take 617-141 Scientific Programming and Simulation consider taking at least one first-year Computer Science subject.

Requirements for a Major

Students may choose to take a single major in either of the disciplines of Mathematics or Statistics. In each case, subjects must be chosen consistent with prerequisite requirements. The designation of the major sequence is determined by the subjects taken in second year and third year. Options are considerably enhanced by taking more than two first-year subjects from the offerings of the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics and the School of Mathematical Sciences. The normal minimum requirements on the number of points towards the B. A. degree which must be taken from approved departments of the Faculty of Arts mean that double major streams in Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics or Statistics are not usually available. Students wishing to study more Mathematics or Statistics than the structures shown below allow should consider transferring to the Bachelor of Science degree, or to the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science joint degree programme. In exceptional cases, at the discretion of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and with the approval of the Mathematics and Statistics Departments, permission may be granted to count additional Mathematics or Statistics subjects towards the B. A. degree, or to carry more than 100 points per year.

Mathematics single major

(for examples, see the entry under Mathematics below)

Second year:

Third year:

Statistics single major

(for examples, see the entry under Statistics below)

Second year:

Third year:

Honours requirements

There is no distinction between pass and honours streams in first, second, or third year, although some Mathematics and Statistics subjects, designated as 'Advanced' and only available by invitation, are especially suited for potential honours candidates. The normal prerequisites for entry into the fourth-year Honours programme in Mathematics, the fourth-year Honours programme in Statistics, or the fourth-year Combined Honours Programme in Mathematics and Statistics require more second and third-year Mathematics or Statistics subjects than are usually allowed to be included in the points for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Bachelor of Arts students are not normally able to undertake a fourth-year Honours programme in Mathematics, a fourth-year Honours programme in Statistics, or a fourth-year Combined Honours Programme in Mathematics and Statistics without a significant overload beyond the usual 100 points per year. However, high-achieving students following a single major stream, with carefully chosen second and third-year subjects, and prepared to select from a severely restricted range of fourth-year offerings, may still be able to undertake a fourth-year Honours programme without an excessive overload.

Bachelor of Arts students contemplating Honours studies in Mathematics or Statistics, Combined Honours in Mathematics and Statistics, or any combined honours programme involving Mathematics or Statistics and another Arts discipline are strongly urged to seek advice from the relevant departments as early as possible, and to obtain written confirmation from the departments and from the Dean of the Faculty of Arts that their proposed course of study is acceptable. Bachelor of Arts students with a strong inclination towards Honours programmes in Mathematics or Statistics are strongly urged to explore the option of transferring to the Bachelor of Science degree, or to the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts joint degree programme.

First-year Learning Centre

The School of Mathematical Sciences, and the constituent Departments of Mathematics and Statistics, have established a First-year Learning Centre through which teaching and administration of their first-year subjects is coordinated. This centre is located on the ground floor of the Richard Berry Building. Near this centre students will find notice-boards relevant to first year, boxes for the submission of assignments, and the room from which printed material is usually distributed. Within the centre are the office of the Director of First-year Studies (Dr Barrington), offices of tutors in Mathematics and Statistics, tutorial rooms, a student waiting area, and a consultation room.

Selecting First Year Options

Arts students wishing to study Mathematics or Mathematical Sciences in first year choose from a number of subjects offered by:

The details of these subjects can be found in the Science Faculty section of the University of Melbourne Undergraduate Studies Handbook. The subjects are shown below, with the semester in which they are offered. Each subject is semester-length, and valued at 12.5 points. The last digit of the subject code indicates the semester in which the subject is normally taken, and the only subjects available to first-year students in both semesters are 618-130, 618-142 and 619-100. The subjects 618-130 and 618-142 are normally taken in semester 2, but are also offered in semester 1 primarily to accommodate the needs of students who need, for whatever reason, to undertake it in semester 1 of their second year.

Permitted combinations of subjects are controlled by prerequisites and corequisites. Incoming students will normally include one of the following subjects in first semester, listed in decreasing order of difficulty:

618-111, 618-121, 618-141, 618-161.

All incoming students with VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 (or an equivalent secondary school subjects) are entitled to enrol in 618-141 Intermediate Mathematics A, although students who have not studied VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 (or an equivalent secondary school subject) are normally encouraged to enrol instead in 618-161. Entry into the subjects 618-111 Mathematics 1A (Advanced) and 618-121 Mathematics 1A requires the permission of the Mathematics Department's Director of First-year Studies. The subject 618-161 represents the least challenging point of entry into Mathematical Sciences subjects. Permission to enter this subject is not normally granted to students who have completed VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4. The structure of first-year mathematics subjects is such that students may transfer early in the semester to either a less challenging or a more challenging subject selection without serious disruption to their studies.

Students who wish to have a limited introduction to tertiary-level Mathematical Sciences at 100-level, but do not anticipate continuing studies in this discipline should consider taking one or both of618-150 or 619-100.

The MUPHAS Programme

Students who studied 618-121 Mathematics 1A (1996 Handbook) at school as part of the Melbourne University Programme for High Achieving Students (MUPHAS) should consult the Director of First-year Studies for advice on subject selection, including the possibility of direct entry into 200-level subjects.

Sample 25-point Selections at First Year

Sample 50-point Selections at First Year

In all but the first selection listed below, the subject 617-141 Scientific Programming and Simulation may be replaced with 619-100 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis.

(a) Mathematics (Advanced) [by invitation only]

This selection is especially suited to well-qualified students who may wish to proceed to the fourth-year Honours programme in Mathematics, but anticipate no studies in Statistics or Computer Science.

(b) Mathematical Sciences (Advanced) [by invitation only]

This selection is especially suited to well-qualified students who may wish to proceed to the fourth-year Honours programme in Mathematics or Statistics, or Combined Honours in Mathematics and Statistics. Exceptionally well-qualified students may be permitted to replace 618-111 with 618-191 Mathematics Project (Advanced).

(c) Mathematical Sciences

This selection requires the permission of the Director of First-year Studies, and is suitable for students who may wish to proceed to the fourth-year Honours programme in Mathematics, Statistics, or Combined Honours in Mathematics and Statistics, or at least to pursue substantial studies in these disciplines to third-year level. Students with outstanding results in 618-121 should discuss with the Director of First-year Studies the possibility of replacing 618-122 with 618-112, or 618-130 with 618-132.

(d) Mathematical Sciences

This selection is suitable for students who may wish to pursue substantial studies in these disciplines in later years. At the end of their first year, students taking this selection who achieve outstanding results in 618-142 and 618-130 should discuss with the Director of First-year Studies possible arrangements for catching up with the three higher-level streams described above.

For further suggestions, see the entries for the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics in the Arts Faculty section of this Handbook, and also the corresponding entries in the Science Faculty section of the Handbook. Students are encouraged to consult course advisors from the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics.

Opportunities for Further Study

Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and PhD programs are available within the disciplines of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science. Details of these programs can be obtained from the relevant department.

For More Information Contact

Department of Computer Science: telephone (03) 9287 9101; fax (03) 9348 1184; web site http://www.cs.mu.oz.au

Department of Mathematics: telephone (03) 9344 5550; fax (03) 9344 4599; web site http://www.maths.mu.oz.au

Department of Statistics: telephone (03) 9344 7886; fax (03) 9344 7499; web site http://www.stats.mu.oz.au

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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : Mathematical Sciences 
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