UWA Handbook 2023

Major Overview

Description

Mathematics is humanity's most powerful tool for comprehending the universe and is essential for many fields of modern endeavour such as science, technology, engineering and finance. It also underlies data analysis, forecasting, modelling, decision-making and problem-solving principles. Mathematicians contribute creatively to almost every aspect of modern life. This major will equip you with the mathematical tools and techniques of at least two of the three key disciplines of pure mathematics, applied mathematics and mathematical statistics.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) pure mathematics—(a) apply abstract reasoning, rigour and logical deduction; (b) demonstrate an understanding of axiomatic systems and the fundamentals of mathematics; (c) establish the truth of a statement; and (d) write correct and convincing proofs; (2) applied mathematics—(a) apply the power of mathematics to model and understand the real world; (b) demonstrate an understanding of continuous and discrete mathematics models, dynamical systems and methods of approximation and simulation; (c) model real-world phenomena in the language of mathematics; (d) reduce a problem to mathematically tractable elements; and (e) evaluate the applicability of a mathematical solution to the original problem; and (3) statistics—(a) apply appropriate techniques to the collection, visual presentation, analysis and interpretation of data from a wide range of sources; (b) explain the mathematical and practical consequences of chance variation in both the source and collection of data and how to make decisions taking these factors into account; (c) model real-world phenomena involving unpredictable variation in the language of mathematics; (d) select appropriate mathematical/statistical models of data generating mechanisms; (e) use modern statistical computing packages for statistical analysis and simulation.

Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Courses

Mathematics and Statistics can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

• BP004 Bachelor of Science
• BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Units