Models are becoming an increasingly important tool in many branches of modern society due to advances in science and technology. As our understanding of these models improves, the complexity of the types of questions being asked increases. The objective of this major is to train students in techniques of model development, use and assessment.
A key requirement for future scientists, industry leaders, resource managers, and policy makers is an ability to build and evaluate models and/or interpret model outputs. Career opportunities for graduates extend into every part of society, including: research (e.g. CSIRO, Universities); public sector (e.g. Bureau of Meteorology, Murray Darling Basin Authority, state government agencies); and private sector (e.g. engineering, finance).
Students may choose to complement this major with a quantitative applications major or minor consisting of courses from areas such as: physics; earth and environmental science; global change science; climate science and policy; environmental geoscience; geophysics; quantitative finance; or mathematical finance.
Coupled with a detailed disciplinary base, this major will provide students with the necessary skills to tackle the problems facing tomorrow's society.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply mathematical concepts, including Calculus, Linear Algebra and Differential Equations to analyse specific problems and identify the appropriate mathematics to realise a solution.
- Use computer programming and statistical analysis skills to efficiently model systems.
- Recognise the connections between mathematics and other disciplines, and how mathematical ideas are embedded in other contexts.
- Represent real-world systems from science and technology in a mathematical framework.
- Employ appropriate methods to analyse, solve and evaluate the performance of mathematical models.
- Identify relevant disciplinary material and sources to pursue independent mathematical learning and deepen understanding of the behaviour of a system reasoning.
- Relate the behaviour of the output of the mathematical model to the underlying physical or conceptual model of interest.
- Extend their experiences of working both independently and collaboratively within the discipline to other contexts.
- Relate professional and disciplinary information and ideas to varied audiences in effective and appropriate ways.
- Reflect the professional standards of the discipline and of science in their own work and practice.
Other Information
To complete this major students must also complete the following courses:
These courses can form part of a Foundational Science minor, another science minor/major or sequence of science electives. If a student is in a Flexible Double Degree, the courses can only contribute towards one degree.
Advice for first year students:
- MATH1013 or MATH1115 or MATH1113; MATH1014 or MATH1116; COMP1100 or COMP1130 or COMP1730; and either STAT1003 or STAT1008
Additional Advice:
By its nature, mathematical modelling is a general topic. For the non-compulsory courses in the major, we recommend that students choose two courses that fit into one of the groups listed below. The three different groupings allow students to emphasise different aspects depending on their interests.
Analytical Mathematical Modelling
- MATH2320: Analysis 1 Honours: Metric Spaces and Applications, plus one of the following courses
- MATH3512: Matrix Computations or MATH3514: Numerical Optimisation
- MATH3320: Analysis 2 Honours: Topology, Lebesgue Integration and Hilbert Spaces
The courses in Analytical Mathematical Modelling focus more on the theoretical aspects of modelling. Students considering honours in mathematics with a major in Mathematical Modelling should take the courses in Analytical Mathematical Modelling, along with any other mathematics HPC courses of interest. Students interested in further research in a quantitative discipline may also benefit from the analytical skills developed in this major.
Computational Mathematical Modelling
- MATH3512: Matrix Computations or MATH3514: Numerical Optimisation , plus one of the following courses
- COMP3320: High Performance Scientific Computing.
- COMP2100: Software Design Methodologies
- COMP3600: Algorithms.
The courses in Computational Mathematical Modelling focus more on scientific computing. They are intended for students with both a strong interest in mathematics and computing. Students interested in doing honours in Computational Science should take the courses in Computational Mathematical Modelling. Students interested in further research in a discipline with a strong computational component, such as astronomy, can benefit from the technical skills developed in this major.
Applied Mathematical Modelling
Any two of the following courses (one of which must be a third year course)
- MATH3133: Environmental Mathematics.
- MATH3512: Matrix Computations.
- MATH3514: Numerical Optimization.
- MATH3062: Fractal Geometry and Chaotic Dynamics.
- MATH2307: Bioinformatics and Biological Modelling.
- MATH3029: Probability Modelling with Applications.
- STAT3015: Generalised Linear Modelling.
- STAT3008: Applied Statistics.
- STAT2008: Regression Modelling.
- STAT2005: Introduction to Stochastic Processes
- STAT2001: Introductory Mathematical Statistics
- STAT2013: Introductory Mathematical Statistics for Actuarial Studies
- STAT3004: Stochastic Modelling
The courses in Applied Mathematical Modelling are aimed at students interested in developing their skills in building and interpreting models. This includes students whose primary interest is in an application area, such as physics or economics, but wants a better understanding of the models used in their discipline. It also includes students who have more of a professional or vocational focus. Students may be interested in taking this particular grouping of courses with more qualitative courses that better help them communicate their analysis to a wider audience.
Students should be aware of the need to complete the pre-requisites for the level 2000 and 3000 courses. In particular, note that some of the courses are Honours Pathway Courses (HPC). Also, to undertake later year computer science courses it is generally required to undertake 12 units of 2000-level COMP courses.
Students should seek further course advice from the academic convener of this Mathematical Modelling major.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
6 units from completion a course from the following list:
COMP1100 - Programming as Problem Solving
COMP1130 - Programming as Problem Solving (Advanced)
COMP1730 - Programming for Scientists
6 units from completion a course from the following list:
STAT1003 - Statistical Techniques
STAT1008 - Quantitative Research Methods
24 units from completion of the following courses:
MATH2305 - Applied Mathematics I
MATH2306 - Applied Mathematics II
MATH3501 - Scientific and Industrial Modelling
MATH3511 - Scientific Computing
A maximum of 6 units may come from completion of a course from the following list:
MATH2307 - Bioinformatics and Biological Modelling
MATH2320 - Advanced Analysis 1: Metric Spaces and Applications
COMP2100 - Software Design Methodologies
STAT2001 - Introductory Mathematical Statistics
STAT2005 - Introduction to Stochastic Processes
STAT2008 - Regression Modelling
STAT2013 - Introductory Mathematical Statistics for Actuarial Studies
STAT2014 - Regression Modelling for Actuarial Studies
A minimum of 6 units must come from completion of courses from the following list:
MATH3029 - Probability Theory with Applications
MATH3062 - Fractal Geometry and Chaotic Dynamics
MATH3133 - Environmental Mathematics
MATH3320 - Advanced Analysis 2: Topology, Lebesgue Integration and Hilbert Spaces
MATH3512 - Matrix Computations
MATH3514 - Numerical Optimisation
COMP3320 - High Performance Scientific Computation
COMP3600 - Algorithms
STAT3008 - Applied Statistics
STAT3004 - Stochastic Modelling
STAT3015 - Generalised Linear Modelling
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