A short definition of Mathematics would be “the study of quantities and how they are measured, combined, related, and operated upon”.
We use mathematics for practical things like organising the arrival of materials on a building site in order to reduce storage; encrypting and decrypting internet messages; modelling blood flow through a damaged heart; and predicting the break-up of ice floes.
These are all mathematics in action – mathematics making a real difference in the world where we live. Mathematics looks at the distribution of prime numbers, the properties of geometric figures, how dependent variables change, and what happens when you add up infinitely many terms.
Studying these ideas lays the foundation for using mathematics to solve real-life problems.
Why study Mathematics?
You build a solid foundation for analysing and understanding the mass of quantitative data that is available these days. You develop problem solving and organisational skills that are highly sought after by employers. You learn to think both logically and creatively. You discover an amazingly varied and profoundly rich science that has an intrinsic beauty. You get your mind around some of the ancient problems that have fascinated humans for centuries.
Background required?
To enter our mainstream programme you need a clear pass in at least one of the NCEA level 3 papers at High School.
If your mathematics background is only to Year 12 or Year 11, you can still progress in Mathematics at Otago by taking either or both of the two preparatory papers MATH 100 Mathematical Foundations and MATH 151 General Mathematics.
Career opportunities
Career options for Mathematics graduates are much wider than you might think. Many students take jobs where mathematics is not the main focus of the business, and yet their mathematical skills are their greatest asset. That is because mathematics and the analytical and logical thinking that it teaches are vital in understanding and solving all manner of quantitative problems, from electricity generation to data compression, from weather forecasting to the study of bone density loss.
Mathematics graduates, especially those with a well-rounded background in mathematical, statistical, and computer skills, have a qualification that integrates perfectly into the modern, technology-based world.
Applied mathematicians are in demand wherever employers need deterministic models, for example, in seismology and the earth sciences, meteorology, the chemical and forensic industries, health, ecology and conservation, transportation and scheduling, engineering, and computing, to name a few. And for those with both applied Mathematics and Statistics, i.e. a background in both deterministic and stochastic models, one can add to the above list the areas of social science, financial services and insurance, epidemiology, quality assurance, economics, policy, government, and many others.
Teaching style
Most Mathematics papers at Otago involve several lectures a week, usually 50 minutes long. You need to take notes based on the material presented, although in some papers part of the material is already available in outline notes that are followed closely.
There will also be tutorials that are really advice sessions, where you can go along and ask for help with weekly exercises or with understanding course material. Some papers have compulsory tutorials, others have open tutorials where you can go as many times as you wish. Apart from the final examination, you are assessed internally based on exercise marks, a mid-semester test, or a series of computer tests. Papers differ but in all cases your internal assessment is an important part of your overall grading.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- 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)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Mathematics
Level | Papers | Points |
---|---|---|
100-level | MATH 160 Mathematics 1 MATH 170 Mathematics 2 COMO 101 highly recommended COMP 150, COMP 160, ENGL 127 recommended Advanced placement into MATH 170 may be allowed for suitably qualified candidates. | 18 18 |
200-level | COMO 204 Differential Equations MATH 201 Real Analysis MATH 202 Linear Algebra MATH 203 Calculus of Several Variables | 18 18 18 18 |
300-level | Four 300-level MATH or COMO papers | 72 |
Plus | At least one 18 point STAT paper 162 further points must include at least 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science. | 18 162 |
Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Mathematics
Papers |
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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 |
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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 COMO 101 highly recommended COMP 150, COMP 160, ENGL 127 recommended Advanced placement into MATH 170 may be allowed for suitably qualified candidates. | 18 18 |
200-level | COMO 204 Differential Equations MATH 201 Real Analysis MATH 202 Linear Algebra MATH 203 Calculus of Several Variables | 18 18 18 18 |
300-level | Four 300-level MATH or COMO papers | 72 |
Plus | At least one 18 point STAT paper 162 further points must include at least 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science. | 18 162 |
Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Mathematics
Papers |
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Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Mathematics
Papers |
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Master of Science (MSc) in Mathematics
Papers and Thesis |
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Minor subject requirements
Mathematics as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc 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), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) 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 |
Papers
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a selection of on-campus papers will be made available via distance and online learning for eligible students.
Find out which papers are available and how to apply on our COVID-19 website
MATH papers
Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
---|---|---|---|---|
MATH151 | 2021 | General Mathematics | 18 points | First Semester, Summer School |
MATH160 | 2021 | Mathematics 1 | 18 points | First Semester, Second Semester, Summer School |
MATH170 | 2021 | Mathematics 2 | 18 points | First Semester, Second Semester |
MATH201 | 2021 | Real Analysis | 18 points | First Semester |
MATH202 | 2021 | Linear Algebra | 18 points | Second Semester |
MATH203 | 2021 | Calculus of Several Variables | 18 points | First Semester |
MATH272 | 2021 | Discrete Mathematics | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
MATH301 | 2021 | Hilbert Spaces | 18 points | First Semester |
MATH302 | 2021 | Complex Analysis | 18 points | Second Semester |
MATH304 | 2021 | Partial Differential Equations | 18 points | Second Semester |
MATH306 | 2021 | Geometry of Curves and Surfaces | 18 points | Second Semester |
MATH342 | 2021 | Modern Algebra | 18 points | First Semester |
MATH374 | 2021 | Mathematical Physics | 18 points | Second Semester |
MATH401 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | First Semester |
MATH402 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | Second Semester |
MATH403 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | First Semester |
MATH404 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | First Semester |
MATH405 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | First Semester |
MATH406 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | Second Semester |
MATH407 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | First Semester |
MATH408 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | Second Semester |
MATH409 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | First Semester |
MATH410 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | Second Semester |
MATH411 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | Second Semester |
MATH412 | 2021 | Topics in Advanced Mathematics | 20 points | Second Semester |
MATH490 | 2021 | Dissertation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
MATH495 | 2021 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
COMO papers
Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
---|---|---|---|---|
COMO101 | 2021 | Modelling and Computation | 18 points | Second Semester |
COMO204 | 2021 | Differential Equations | 18 points | Second Semester |
COMO303 | 2021 | Numerical Methods | 18 points | First Semester |
COMO480 | 2021 | Research Project | 40 points | Not offered in 2021 |
Key information for future students
Contact us
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Email maths@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/maths