Maths, Physics & Chemistry - University of Wollongong

Initiate change with the fundamental building blocks of the universe

A strong understanding of maths, physics and chemistry allows societies to develop models that help us better understand and predict the behaviour of intricate systems. These models are then applied to initiate new and innovative ideas aimed at progressing human development.

A maths, physics or chemistry degree allows you to graduate with the knowledge and analytical skills that will help shape the future. These skills are in demand by governments and private sectors worldwide.

Undergraduate courses
Postgraduate coursework & research
Pathways to UOW

Mathematics

Physics

Chemistry

Find more:

Postgraduate Coursework

Postgraduate Research

University Preparation Programs

Develop the specialist skills that employers want:

Range of maths specialisations: Choose to major in Data Science and Analytics, Applied or Pure Mathematics, Applied Statistics, Financial Planning, Quantitative and Computational Trading, or Quantitative Corporate Finance and Investments.
Range of physics specialisations: Choose to major in Medical Radiation Physics, Atmospheric Science, Biomolecular Physics, Physics, or Nuclear Science and Technology.
Choose more than one: Many UOW undergraduate programs allow you to combine complementary specialisations in a double-major degree, or a double degree.

Become part of UOW's learning and research environment:

UOW Mathematics graduates are in demand across a range of industries including finance, defence and security, health care, and the IT sector.
Our Medical and Radiation Physics program is backed by clinical associations with local and Sydney hospitals—over 50% of current practising medical physicists in NSW were educated and trained at UOW.
The UOW School of Physics is ranked 'above world standard performance' by Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) in Condensed Matter Physics and Medical Radiation Physics.
The Excellence in Research for Australia also ranked the UOW School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics 'above world standard'.
Be supported by highly qualified academic staff with expertise across a range of disciplines within mathematics and physical science.

A degree from UOW opens doors:

Real-world exposure: Our close ties with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and the Australian Synchrotron ensure you receive industry exposure throughout your degree.
Access to experts: Learn from industry guest lecturers.
Be rewarded: Earn an industry-sponsored prize or cadetship.
Industry collaboration: UOW has a strong research reputation in collaboration with industry.
Recognised and employed: Our Medical and Radiation Physics program is backed by clinical associations with local and Sydney hospitals—over 50% of current practising medical physicists in NSW were educated and trained at UOW.

Undergraduate degrees:

All UOW Physics degrees are fully accredited by the Australian Institute of Physics.
The Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics conforms to the requirements for membership of the Australian Institute of Physics.
Our Bachelor of Mathematics Education course is accredited and recognised as a national professional teaching qualification. Students seeking work outside NSW or Australia are advised to check with potential employers and other teacher registration authorities for any additional requirements.
The UOW Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Mathematical Society. Completion of this degree provides ‘points’ towards membership of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA). Specific majors may carry other accreditations.
Students who complete the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) may apply for membership of relevant professional societies such as the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the Australian Society for Microbiology.
The Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry meets the qualifying standards of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Students who meet the course requirements will be eligible for corporate membership as Chartered Chemists.
Completion of the Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry qualifies graduates for membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Postgraduate coursework:

UOW's Master of Medical Radiation Physics is accredited by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM), and the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs, Inc. (CAMPEP).

Become one of the world's most employable graduates

At UOW, you'll graduate ready to solve problems, develop models and drive policies that will help people plan for a better future.

Here is just a sample of careers you can pursue:

Radiotherapist
Materials scientist
Medical imaging specialist
Biomolecular physicist
Biophysicist
Astrophysicist
Cosmologist
Atmospheric scientist
Hydrographer
Meteorologist
Health physicist
Computer scientist
Econophysicist
Meteorologist
Science teacher

Accountant
Data analyst
Data scientist
Banking associate
Business forecaster
Financial analyst
Investment analyst
Mathematic modeller
Mathematics teacher
Quantitative trader
Risk manager
Statistician
Stockbroker
Transport analyst
Transport modeller

Meet Leonie

I believe a sound grounding in macroeconomics is important for everyone. I am now incredibly privileged to sit on the Executive Committee of Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), an $85 billion global asset manager. UOW absolutely helped me get here by giving me a strong grounding in the technical skills - mathematical skills never go astray, even when you have marketing in your title. Leonie Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance. Executive Director - Global Clients and Marketing at QIC

Job-ready graduates

UOW student Laura Cartwright and Dr Maureen Edwards, a Lecturer in Mathematics and Applied Statistics, talk about the skills gained and opportunities available while studying maths and statistics at UOW. Hear how building on your love of mathematics will see you graduate with the confidence to enter the work-force knowing your skills are in demand globally.

Alumni stories

[Dr Edwards] I love teaching and I teach a lot of first-year and I really love to see students in their first session of their first year at university and just see that transition from a high school student to you know an undergraduate and managing and progressing through their degree.

[Laura] You know in high school it's a lot of just do the working out solve the problem there's always an answer and then you get to uni and there's not always an answer but I think in the long run that actually sort of pulled me even further into it.

[Dr Edwards] So students have opportunity for industry placements through internships and summer scholarships it gives them opportunity to see how industries or organizations work it gives them an opportunity to see how their skills translate into a sort of a workplace.

[Laura] I have worked with Geoscience Australia I worked with them for six months a few years ago and honestly, that was so invaluable I really really appreciated that opportunity you know especially just to see how people work outside the uni and how you can apply the skills that you've been learning to these real-world problems and get real results.

[Dr Edwards] So all students who are going into a mathematics degree complete a first-year subject that really works on their transferable skills so do group projects they're looking at research presentation organising themselves managing a team you know having team contracts and just having a taste of what it's like to be independent and produce a body of work at the end.

[Laura] I think one of the biggest skills that I've taken away from the degrees is learning how to communicate an idea very clearly through my writing especially with maths you always have to be so careful about your definitions and how you state everything and I think I've really refined that skill.

[Dr Edwards] I think most students choose to study maths and statistics at university because they have a love of mathematics from high school but often they don't really know what that's going to mean when they get to uni but along the way because they do a range of subjects core subjects they gravitate to the area that most attracts them.

[Laura] So when I finish I think that I'd really enjoy a job maybe statistical consulting or something along those lines where I'm not quite sure exactly what's going to e thrown at me every day I'd really enjoy the challenge of doing something slightly different.

[Dr Edwards] You see students develop as they go along you see them gain confidence in their skills and then at the end of their degrees you see them go into such a range of industries either some of them go on to do more research some of them go out into organisations and you just see the confidence that they gain throughout the degree you.