Undergraduate courses offered by the Faculty
Bachelor of Mathematical and Statistical Science (SBMSS) – Melbourne (Bundoora)
This degree program is being phased out. No new enrolments will be permitted from 2008.
In the last 50 years, mathematics has found widespread applications in areas as diverse as information technology, economics, management, finance and biology, as well as deepening its traditional relationships with physics, chemistry, and engineering. Statistical science plays a crucial role in providing the tools necessary for the understanding of scientific, engineering, and economic data. Demand for mathematicians and statisticians is currently high. This degree course provides the opportunity for students to combine significant studies in mathematics and statistics with subjects from a wide variety of disciplines, including those with which mathematics and statistics have not traditionally been associated. In doing this, students have the opportunity to design their studies to meet their future employment needs: for example, Australian Computer Society membership is available to graduates with an approved computer science co-major (details available from the course adviser). Students can also specialise entirely in mathematics and statistics from second year onwards. Students completing the accredited major in statistical science are entitled to Graduate Statistician status upon joining the Statistical Society of Australia Inc. Students are advised to visit the department web pages for details of streams within the degree involving the study of computer science, finance, economics or applied statistics.
Graduates with a major in mathematics will be eligible for accreditation with the Australian Mathematical Society.
Course structure
The course is of three years full-time or equivalent part-time duration and requires the completion of 360 credit points. This degree is one of the most flexible in the faculty. To provide a broad base in mathematics and statistics, students are required to include 60 credit points of mathematics and statistics subjects in their first year. Then, to encourage the combination of mathematics and statistics with a wide range of subjects from other discipline areas at second and third year level, only 45 credit points at second year level and 60 credit points at third year level will be required to be taken from available mathematics and statistics subjects. This allows students to take a major study of almost any other discipline in the University within the total 360 credit points required for the degree.
First year (120 credit points)
Core subjects (60 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Calculus and Number Systems | MAT1CNS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Statistical Science | STA1SS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Discrete Mathematics | MAT1DM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Calculus and Linear Algebra | MAT1CLA | 15 |
Electives (60 credit points)
The remaining 60 credit points may be chosen from any subjects offered by the University, as approved by the course adviser.
Second year (120 credit points)
A minimum of 45 credit points must be chosen from available second year mathematics or second year statistics subjects. The remaining 75 credit points may be chosen from any subjects offered by the University. All enrolments should be made after consultation with the course adviser.
Third year (120 credit points)
A minimum of 60 credit points must be chosen from available third year mathematics or third year statistics subjects. The remaining 60 credit points may be chosen from any subjects offered by the University. All enrolments should be made after consultation with the course adviser.
Honours
Suitably qualified students may be permitted to enrol in an Honours year in mathematics or statistics. An Honours year consists of subjects with a total value of 120 credit points and must include a thesis. There is the flexibility to include coursework material from related disciplines and to select a thesis project reflecting a desired vocational orientation.
In a mathematics Honours year, coursework subjects are normally at fourth year level and students may take a limited number of subjects in a related discipline with the approval of the mathematics Honours coordinator. In a statistics Honours year, a limited number of third year subjects and/or a limited number of subjects in related disciplines may be taken subject to the approval of the Head of Statistical Science.
For a full description of subjects, including the subject name, subject code, credit points, campus/location, subject coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites and readings, students should access the Subject Database at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.