Master of Science (Research) Mathematics/Statistics


contents

introduction


Key Points

    • 48 credit point major thesis and 24 credit points of coursework

    • 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent

    • entry requirement is a good honours bachelor degree in maths/statistics or good Master of Mathematics/Statistics degree.

    • Location: Wollongong campus

    • Starting session: Autumn or Spring

The degree is designed to give higher level training in mathematical/statistical research and enhance the analytical and communication skills required by professional mathematicians/statisticians. An honours masters degree is suitable for someone wishing to undertake higher level research but for whom the extensive nature of a Doctor of Philosophy degree is not appropriate.

Research will usually be in an area of major research interest for the School. Some students will find such a degree useful preparation for later doctoral studies.

The coursework component of this degree is beneficial for those who wish to update their knowledge and skills in an area especially relevant to their work environment, prepare for their research, and expand their knowledge of mathematics/statistics.

After successful completion of the MSc (Research) in mathematics, a student is eligible to become an accredited member of the Australian Mathematical Society, or after completion of the MSc (Research) in statistics is eligible to become a graduate member of the Statistical Society of Australia, and may become an accredited member after gaining relevant practical experience.

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official course rules: mathematics / statistics


brief guide to course content and structure

The Master of Science (Research) Mathematics and the Master of Science (Research) Statistics is made up of a combination of research and coursework. However, candidates with a Bachelors Honours degree at a standard of Class II, Division 2 or higher, (or an equivalent coursework Pass Masters degree) may be given exemption from all, or some, of the coursework.

The degree is normally 72 credit points, comprising of 48cp research thesis and 24cp of coursework. The program must be completed in a maximum time of two years full-time and requires satisfactory completion of the following:

    • 24cp of subjects from the Mathematics/Statistics 900 level schedule ; and

    • 48 credit point thesis subject MATH/STAT 993.

In exceptional circumstances, and subject to approval of the Head of School, subjects with the value of at most 6 credit points from the program may be replaced by 900 level subjects from another discipline with value of at least 6 credit points.

Students contemplating enrolling for the Master of Science (Research) degree are encouraged to speak with members of staff in the School in the session before enrolment to help select the general area of their project. Once this general area of study is selected, the appropriate supervisors and the final research topic should also be determined before enrolment. Final approval must be sought from the Head of School before work is commenced. A meeting is usually held with appropriate supervisors and the Head of School to finalise these arrangements.If it is not possible to define a topic before enrolment, it should be determined and submitted to the University Research Committee before the end of the first session.

Each student has a main supervisor and a secondary supervisor, appointed on the recommendation of the Head of School.

Students are encouraged to attend School and other seminars and postgraduate activities and to discuss their work widely. Apart from their supervisors, they will be asked to discuss their progress with at least the Head of School and other senior staff. Students will be expected to give short presentations on their work to fellow students and department staff, and at the annual Postgraduate Open Day in August to members of the public. Attendance at a conference will be at least partially funded by the University. Students will be encouraged to prepare and present their results for publication in professional journals, either individually or jointly with their supervisor.

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programs

There are three different programs available:

    1. applied statistics

    2. applied mathematics

    3. pure mathematics

Applied Statistics Program

STAT993 Major Thesis and 4 elective subjects

Electives - Applied Statistics

    • STAT901 Modern Inference

    • STAT902 Advanced Data Analysis

    • STAT903 Survey Design and Analysis

    • STAT904 Statistical Consulting

    • STAT905 Time Series

    • STAT906 Experimental Design

    • STAT920 Stochastic Methods in Finance

    • STAT971 Preliminary Topics in Statistics A

    • STAT972 Preliminary Topics in Statistics B

    • STAT981 Advanced Topics in Statistics A

    • STAT982 Advanced Topics in Statistics B

    • STAT983 Advanced Topics in Statistics C

For details of the subject contents, go to Subject Descriptions Online.

Note the content of the subjects STAT971, STAT972, STAT981, STAT982 and STAT983 may vary each year. A list of topics that will be covered within the above subjects in any one year will be available on the School website towards the end of each preceding year. These subjects 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.

Mathematics Programs

MATH993 Thesis and 4 elective subjects

Electives - Mathematics

    • INFO911 Data Mining

    • INFO912 Mathematics for Cryptography

    • MATH902 Solution of Differential Equation by One-Parameter Groups

    • MATH971 Advanced Topics in Applied Mathematics A

    • MATH972 Advanced Topics in Applied Mathematics B

    • MATH973 Advanced Topics in Pure Mathematics A

    • MATH974 Advanced Topics in Pure Mathematics B

    • MATH980 Preliminary Topics in Mathematics A

    • MATH981 Preliminary Topics in Mathematics B

    • MATH982 Preliminary Topics in Mathematics C

For details of the subject contents, go to Subject Descriptions Online.

Note the content of the subjects MATH971, MATH972, MATH973, MATH974, MATH980, MATH 981 and MATH 982 may vary each year. However, each year it will be possible to specialize in either applied mathematics or pure mathematics. A list of topics that will be covered within the above subjects in any one year will be available on the School website towards the end of each preceding year. These subjects 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.

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current research areas

For areas of research available to candidates undertaking the Master of Science – Research (Mathematics), please refer to staff web pages at www.math.uow.edu.au.

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Last reviewed: 13 November, 2008