2020 Postgraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Master of Mathematics | 2020

Testamur Title of Degree:

Master of Mathematics

Abbreviation:

MMath

UOW Course Code:

425

CRICOS Code:

084776A

Total Credit Points:

96

Duration:

2 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences

Intake Session(s):

Autumn/Spring

Delivery Mode:

On-campus (Face-to-face)

Delivery Campus:

Wollongong

Overview

The Master of Mathematics is designed for candidates holding a Bachelor degree with a minor (or major) study in Mathematics, or equivalent, to undertake further studies in mathematics as preparation for a postgraduate research degree or work as a mathematician in business and government. This program is designed to consolidate and expand existing mathematics knowledge and to develop skills in undertaking mathematical research projects. It is also suitable for Mathematics graduates who have worked for a few years and need to upgrade their skills and knowledge.

Recognising that in a work environment mathematicians are often involved in diverse areas which require further professional enhancement, the degree allows limited studies in another discipline. This option is seen as particularly relevant for both Australian and international candidates with some work experience.

Entry Requirements and Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description
1 demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge in either applied or pure mathematics.
2 demonstrate expert, specialised cognitive and technical skills in either applied or pure mathematics 
3 independently analyse, critically reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems and theories.
4 interpret and transmit mathematical knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
5 apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy and expert judgement as a mathematician.

Course Structure

The degree requires satisfactory completion of at least 96 credit points, as set out in the suggested course program below. All candidates (including those who receive recognition of prior learning) must complete at least 48 credit points of 900 level subjects.

Candidates who accrue 48 credit points towards the Master of Mathematics and who cannot or do not wish to continue in the course may be eligible to receive a Graduate Certificate in Mathematical Studies. Please discuss options with the Academic Program Director of the Master of Mathematics.

Each candidate shall have a project supervisor appointed on the recommendation of the Academic Program Director of the Master of Mathematics.

Candidates must choose a program of study that suits their entry level with a specialisation in either:

  • Applied Mathematics; or
  • Pure Mathematics.

 The final program of study is subject to the approval of the Academic Program Director of the Master of Mathematics. 

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
MATH907 Research Methods 6 Autumn
Plus FOUR subjects selected from the list of Preparation subjects or Foundation subjects below*
Plus THREE subjects selected from the list of Foundation subjects below**
Year 2
MATH991 Project 12 Annual, Spring 2020/Autumn 2020
Plus ONE of the following two subjects according to the specialisation selected
For students undertaking a specialisation in Applied Mathematics***:
MATH911 Advanced Topics in Applied Mathematics 24 Annual
For students undertaking a specialisation in Pure Mathematics***:
MATH922 Advanced Topics in Pure Mathematics 24 Annual
Plus TWO subjects selected from the list of Foundation Subjects and/or the list of 900-level MATH/STAT/INFO subjects below.
It is possible to take 900-level subjects from other disciplines with the approval of the Academic Program Director.

* Students who have completed an undergraduate major in mathematics may be exempt from these subjects. Please apply to the Academic Program Director of the Master of Mathematics.

** Students who have an approved Honours degree in mathematics or statistics may be exempt from these subjects. Please apply to the Academic Program Director of the Master of Mathematics.

*** Before enrolling in these subjects, it is essential that candidates consult with the Academic Program Director of the Master of Mathematics.

Preparation Subjects

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
MTH8201Multivariate and Vector Calculus6Autumn
MTH8202Differential Equations: Analysis and Aplication6Autumn
MTH8203Linear Algebra and Groups6Spring
MTH8212Mathematical Modelling6Spring
MTH8222Real Analysis6Autumn

Foundation Subjects 

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
INFO812Mathematics for Cryptography6Autumn
MATH805Partial Differential Equations (Enhanced)6Autumn
MATH812Advanced Applied Mathematical Modelling (Enhanced)6Not available in 2020
MATH813Case Studies in Applied Mathematics (Enhanced)6Spring
MATH817Financial Mathematics (Enhanced)6Autumn
MATH818Optimisation and Applications (Enhanced)6Spring
MATH822Algebra (Enhanced)6Spring
MATH823Topology (Enhanced)6Not available in 2020
MATH824Calculus of Variations & Elementary Differential Geometry (Enhanced)6Not available in 2020
MATH829Medical Mathematics (Enhanced)6Autumn
STAT804Stochastic Methods in Statistical Analysis (Enhanced)6Spring

900-level MATH/STAT/INFO Subjects 

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
INFO911Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery6Autumn
INFO912Mathematics for Cryptography6Autumn
MATH942Numerical Methods in Finance6Spring
STAT920Stochastic Methods in Finance6Not available in 2020
MATH977Advanced Topics in Mathematics A6Autumn, Spring
MATH978Advanced Topics in Mathematics B6Autumn, Spring

Note the content of the subjects MATH911, MATH922, MATH977 and MATH978 may vary each year depending on availability. However, both specialisations, Applied Mathematics and Pure Mathematics, will be available every year.


A list of topics that will be covered within the above subjects in any one year will be available from the Academic Program Director of the Master of Mathematics before the beginning of each session. These topics include those offered by UOW staff, those from the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute Summer and Winter graduate schools and classes available remotely, via the School's access grid room. Potential topics include C*-Algebras, Solutions to Differential Equations by One-Parameter Groups, Non-linear Differential Equations, Algebraic Number Theory.

Other Information

Students who satisfactorily complete the Master of Mathematics degree are eligible to apply for entry to the Master of Philosophy.

Students who complete the Master of Mathematics with a weighted average mark of 70 or higher are eligible to apply for entry to the Doctor of Philosophy.

For further information please email: eis@uow.edu.au or the Academic Program Director

Last reviewed: 2 July, 2020