Mathematics and Statistics major

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.

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)

Overview of unit sequence

Mathematics and Statistics is a degree-specific single major comprising:

  • three Level 1 units
  • three Level 2 units
  • four Level 3 units
Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2

Level 1

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (18 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Specialist ATAR
or
MATH1722 Mathematics Foundations: Specialist
or
equivalent
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1
or
MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2
or
MATH2040 Engineering Mathematics
S1, S2 MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Specialist ATAR
or
MATH1722 Mathematics Foundations: Specialist
or
equivalent
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1
or
MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2
or
MATH2040 Engineering Mathematics
S1 SCOM1101 Communicating Science
Prerequisites:
ATAR Mathematics Applications
or
WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
or
TEE Discrete Mathematics
or
equivalent
or
higher
Co-requisites:
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (only required if students haven't completed Maths Applications
or
WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
or
TEE Discrete Mathematics
or
equivalent
or
higher). Please note that there will be a delay in validating your enrollment in SCOM1101 after you have enrolled in MATH 1720.
Incompatibility:
Nil

Level 2

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (18 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 MATH2021 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
Prerequisites:
MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1
or
(MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus
and
MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods)
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.
S1 MATH2031 Introduction to Pure Mathematics
Prerequisites:
MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
Co-requisites:
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus (ID 6012)
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 STAT2062 Fundamentals of Probability with Applications
Prerequisites:
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus and MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
STAT2061 Probability and Mathematical Statistics

Level 3

Degree-specific major units
Take unit(s) to the value of 24 points:

Units are offered in the following sub-disciplines: Applied Mathematics: MATH3021, MATH3022, MATH3024. Pure Mathematics: MATH3031, MATH3032, MATH3033. Statistics and Probability: STAT3061, STAT3062, STAT3063. Students intending to take Honours in Mathematics and Statistics should check that they will have the correct prerequisites for their desired specialisation.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 MATH3002 Network Science
Prerequisites:
MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.
S1 MATH3021 Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
Prerequisites:
MATH2021 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.
S2 MATH3022 Scientific and Industrial Modelling
Prerequisites:
MATH2021 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.
S2 MATH3024 Complex Systems
Prerequisites:
MATH2021 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.
S1 MATH3031 Algebraic Structures and Symmetry
Prerequisites:
MATH2031 Introduction to Pure Mathematics
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.
S2 MATH3032 Topology and Analysis
Prerequisites:
MATH2031 Introduction to Pure Mathematics
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.
S2 MATH3033 Geometry
Prerequisites:
MATH2031 Introduction to Pure Mathematics
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 STAT3061 Random Processes and their Applications
Prerequisites:
STAT2062 Fundamentals of Probability with Applications
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.
S1 STAT3062 Statistical Science
Prerequisites:
STAT2062 Fundamentals of Probability with Applications
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil.
S2 STAT3063 Spatial Statistics and Modelling
Prerequisites:
STAT2062 Fundamentals of Probability with Applications
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 STAT3064 Statistical Learning
Prerequisites:
( STAT2401 Analysis of Experiments
Or
STAT2062 Fundamentals of Probability with Applications ) And ( MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Or
MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods )
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil

Choosing your degree-specific major

General degrees

You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.

To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .

To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.

The following example illustrates how the Mathematics and Statistics degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science course.

Example: Course Study Plan: CSP004-MTHST

There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .

If you are unsure what else to study alongside this major, please read our Faculty and Industry recommended electives and second majors.
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music

You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.

Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.

Choosing a second major

You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.

The following example illustrates how the Mathematics and Statistics degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Science course.

Example: Course Study Plan: CSP004-MTHST-Generic

For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .