OVERVIEW

Mathematics and Statistics encompass the formal study of numerical, algebraic and analytical structures, the development of quantitative methods essential for the practice and development of science, engineering, economics and other fields, and the development and utilisation of mathematical and numerical models in various contexts.

Programs under department enable students to undertake advanced courses in mathematics and its applications. Special topics courses enable students to build the necessary background and techniques in pure or applied areas.
Applied mathematics and computational mathematics deal with the application of techniques and models to the solutions of problems from many branches of modern science, engineering, information technology and commerce.

Pure mathematics deals with the abstract, the rigour and the beauty of perfection. Although pure mathematics constructions are motivated by reasons other than applications, such constructions often become the basis for applied mathematics to solve the most concrete problems.

Statistics is the branch of mathematics that captures the interplay of data and theory. Applied and mathematical statistics combine to extract useful knowledge from data. Mathematical statistics develops the methodology, while applied statistics exploits the theory to learn from real-life information. The use of statistics is constantly expanding, and a sound knowledge of the discipline is important even for those who do not complete a major sequence in the area.

There are cross links between statistics and pure and applied mathematics, and this is reflected in the mix of units students can choose from to complete a major or double major sequence.