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.
Contact details
Email maths@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/maths
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
- 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 (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Papers
- See the full list of Mathematics (MATH) papers
- See the full list of Computational Modelling (COMO) papers
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Mathematics
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MATH 160 Mathematics 1 MATH 170 Mathematics 2 STAT 110 Statistical Methods, or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics, (or STAT 261 Probability and Inference 1, in approved cases) | 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | MATH 201 Real Analysis MATH 202 Linear Algebra MATH 203 Calculus of Several Variables | 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | Four 300-level MATH or COMO papers | 72 |
| Plus | 180 further points; must include at least 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 180 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Mathematics
| Papers |
|---|
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Mathematics
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Mathematics is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Mathematics
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Mathematics or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Mathematics must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Mathematics prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Mathematics
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MATH 160 Mathematics 1 MATH 170 Mathematics 2 STAT 110 Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics (or STAT 261 or STAT 270 in approved cases) | 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | MATH 201 Real Analysis MATH 202 Linear Algebra MATH 203 Calculus of Several Variables | 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | Four 300-level MATH or COMO papers | 72 |
| Plus | 180 further points; must include at least 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science Advanced placement into MATH 170 may be allowed for suitably qualified candidates. Qualified candidates may substitute STAT 261 for STAT 110 or 115. | 180 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Mathematics
| Papers |
|---|
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Mathematics
| Papers |
|---|
|
Master of Science (MSc) in Mathematics
| Papers and Thesis |
|---|
|
Minor subject requirements
Mathematics as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, or BASc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), or Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MATH 160 Mathematics 1 MATH 170 Mathematics 2 Students with advanced placement into MATH 170 can replace MATH 160 with 18 MATH or COMO points (excluding MATH 151) | 18 18 |
| 200-level | MATH 202 Linear Algebra MATH 203 Calculus of Several Variables | 18 18 |
| 300-level | One 300-level MATH paper | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
