Study Mathematics at Otago
Overview
From accounting to zoology, wherever there is a need to quantify and analyse, there is an application of mathematics or its close ally, statistics. Mathematics provides the language and means to understand the symbolic and quantitative aspects of much of our knowledge, so many students will combine the study of Mathematics with Statistics, Computer Science and/or Information Science, a physical science (such as Geology, Chemistry or Physics), applied science (Engineering, Surveying), biological science, social science (Education, Psychology), commerce (Economics, Finance), or the humanities (Linguistics, Philosophy). And, quite apart from its usefulness, many students take mathematics simply because they like it! It is a subject with a strong cultural element, encapsulating much of the history of scientific discovery from the ancient Greek geometers to the latest developments in the theory of chaos.
Mathematics is valuable at all levels, either as a tool to allow physical systems to be modelled in a quantitative way, or as a logical framework that underpins and describes processes, objects or structures.
Students who pursue mathematics and statistics, even if it is not their major subject, will gain very marketable skills that will advantage them in the career of their choice. Clear thinking and deductive reasoning are valuable in all areas of modern life.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Papers
See the full list of Mathematics (MATH) papers.
Programme Requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Mathematics
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | STAT 110 or STAT 115 or an approved 200-level STAT paper COMO 101 recommended (compulsory for Computational Mathematics specialisation) | 18 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | Further papers for one of the specialisations listed below: Applied Mathematics Computational Mathematics Pure Mathematics One 200-level MATH paper | 18 18 18 54 18 |
| 300-level | Four 300-level MATH or COMO papers, including those specified for one of the specialisations listed below: Applied Mathematics | 72 |
| Plus | 126 or 162 further points, depending on specialisation; total programme must include at least 180 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 126 or 162 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Mathematics
| Stage | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st stage | 108 further points | 18 108 |
| 2nd stage | Four 200- or 300-level MATH papers * 54 further approved points | 72 54 |
| 3rd stage | Five 300- or 400-level MATH papers * 36 further approved points | 90 36 |
| 4th stage | Four further 400-level MATH papers 36 further approved points | 36 72 36 |
| * MATH papers and other approved papers to a value of at least 252 points must be taken over the second and third stages including MATH 201, MATH 202, MATH 203, MATH 262, and 18 points of 200- or 300-level STAT papers |
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Mathematics
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Mathematics is the same as the fourth stage course for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Mathematics
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | COMO 101 recommended (compulsory for Computational Mathematics specialisation) A 200-level STAT paper approved by the Head of Department may be substituted for 18 STAT points at 100-level | 18 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | Further papers for one of the specialisations listed below: Applied MathematicsOne 200-level MATH paper Computational MathematicsMATH 203, MATH 262 and COMO 201 Pure MathematicsOne 200-level MATH paper | 18 18 18 54 18 |
| 300-level | Four 300-level MATH or COMO papers, including those specified for one of the specialisations listed below: Applied MathematicsTwo of MATH 351, MATH 352, MATH 361, MATH 362, MATH 372 Computational MathematicsPure Mathematics | 72 |
| Plus | 126 or 162 further points depending on specialisation; total programme must include at least 180 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science Note: MATH 203 and COMO 101 are recommended for the Applied Mathematics and Pure Mathematics specialisations | 126 or 162 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Mathematics
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st stage | 108 further points | 18 108 |
| 2nd stage | Four 200- or 300-level MATH papers * 54 further approved points | 72 54 |
| 3rd stage | Five 300- or 400-level MATH papers * 36 further approved points | 90 36 |
| 4th stage | Four further 400-level MATH papers 36 further approved points | 36 72 36 |
| * MATH papers and other approved papers to a value of at least 252 points must be taken over the second and third stages. These should normally include MATH 201, MATH 202, MATH 203, MATH 262, and 18 points of 200- or 300-level STAT papers |
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Mathematics
| Papers |
|---|
Five further 400-level MATH papers |
Note: With the approval of the Head of Department or Programme Director concerned, a 48 point dissertation or project may be substituted for any project of fewer points prescribed in the table above. |
Master of Science (MSc) in Mathematics
| Papers |
|---|
|
MATH 495 and 108 approved points of which at least 90 points are from 400-level MATH papers. MATH 5 (thesis) |
Minor Subject Requirements
Mathematics as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) or Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | 18 18 | |
| 200-level | See below |
|
| 300-level | 54 MATH points at 200-level or above, including 18 at 300-level or above | 54 |
| Students with advanced placement into MATH 170 can replace MATH 160 with 18 MATH or COMO points (excluding MATH 151) | ||
| Total | 90 |
Further Information
Email us at maths@otago.ac.nz or visit our home page http://www.otago.ac.nz/maths
