Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours)

The Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours) is a one year full-time (or equivalent part-time) program that allows students to further develop their specific areas of interest and their research skills. Honours programs are available in Mathematics and Statistics and are considered pathways to enhanced career prospects in business and industry as well as a Research Higher Degree.

The University of Newcastle is a leading research University with a Priority Research Centre in Computer Assisted Research Mathematics and Applications (CARMA) encompassing cutting edge research. This affords students the opportunity of being involved with research at the forefront of their discipline.

The Mathematics discipline covers the following areas: algebra, applied mathematics, discrete mathematics, experimental and computational mathematics, functional analysis, geometry, mathematical modelling, mathematical physics, nonlinear analysis, number theory, operations research, optimization and topology.

The Statistics discipline covers the following areas: categorical data analysis, Bayesian analysis, multivariate statistics, time series analysis, bioinformatics, biostatistics, statistical process control & surveys and experimental design, statistical consulting, environmental and ecological statistics and climate change research methods.

Those skilled in the field of Mathematics and/or Statistics are a rare commodity in high demand and are employed in many areas both domestically and internationally. They find work in industry, international finance, merchant banking, medicine and the public sector. Mathematics graduates often enter research, management and strategic planning, or work in insurance companies, taxation or computer enterprises. Skills in mathematics are of value wherever real world problems must be solved in areas such as manufacturing or scheduling. The private sector need statisticians in management and technical roles in areas such as finance, bioinformatics, biotechnology, health research, marketing, insurance and engineering. In addition, government agencies and research institutions employ statisticians to design, collect, analyse and interpret data. Honours graduates are in high demand in the above careers. An Honours degree can also lead to a research career in academia or elsewhere.

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To be admitted into the program applicants must have completed the Bachelor of Mathematics or another cognate degree approved by the PVC within the last two years with a minimum GPA of 5.0 in all studies undertaken in the program; or across a major in mathematics /statistics; or across 80 units of 3000 level courses (which must include at least 40 units of 3000 level courses in the major where a major exists); or where the applicant has completed less than 80 units at 3000 level, a GPA of 5.5 calculated from at least 60 units of 3000 level courses (which must include at least 40 units of 3000 level courses in the major where a major exists).

Applicants must apply in writing to the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Information Technology.

In exceptional circumstances the above requirements may be varied with permission of the PVC upon the recommendation of the Head of School.

Topics studied in the coursework courses will assume a strong background in relevant 3000/4000 level courses.

• To apply for entry to this Honours program you will need to apply directly to the Faculty of Science and Information Technology.

  You need to download and complete two forms:

  • Direct Admissions Application form; and
  • Faculty of Science and Information Technology Honours Application Form (End-On Honours).

  Application forms and instructions on how to apply are available at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/student-forms/

No credit permitted for Honours.

There are three classes of Honours: Class I, Class II and Class III. Class II will have two divisions, namely Division 1 and Division 2. The grading and marking of End-On Honours programs is defined in the Structure for Model 1 Honours Programs Policy (Policy 000643) at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policylibrary/000643.html

The Statistical Consulting course provides students the experience of engaging clients through the Statistics Discipline’s Statistical Support Service. Students develop skills in the practice of working with clients to resolve statistical issues as part of research and real-world applications across many fields.

Graduates can apply for accreditation as a graduate member of the Australian Mathematical Society, www.austms.org.au/Accreditation and/or the Statistical Society of Australia www.statsoc.org.au

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English Language Proficiency requirements. Consequently, no additional strategies in relation to English language beyond those provided by the University should be required.

The support structures of the Student Support Unit will be available to assist any students with a disability or chronic illness. The Faculty and School accepts responsibility, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, for providing reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities to complete the program. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will draw on the assistance and support provided by the Wollotuka Indigenous Support Unit.

The selection of topics on offer in any given year will be determined by staff availability and student interest. A topic will only be offered once in any year.

At most two of the directed studies in courses may involve topics offered from outside of the University; for example, via the Access Grid from another institution, or an AMSI summer course, or offered by other disciplines within the University.