Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Mathematics and Statistics)
ObjectivesThe objectives of this diploma are to:
* Further the understanding of mathematics and statistics across a range of theoretical and practical topics;
* Encourage the development of the abilities to think critically and independently;
* Provide an introduction to the process and practice of research in mathematics and statistics;
* Improve oral and written communication skills; and
* Provide a pathway for entry into graduate study in mathematics and statistics for students whose main undergraduate field of study was not mathematics and/or statistics.
Academic titlePostgraduate Diploma in Science (Mathematics and Statistics)
Course descriptionThe Mathematics and Statistics program consists of a research project and an advanced coursework subject.
The relative weightings of the two components are:
Research Project(25%)
Coursework(six units) (75%)
Research Project:
Postgraduate Diploma students are required to conduct research under the supervision of their supervisors. Intending students should approach individual staff members to discuss possible research projects.
Any difficulties in reaching decisions about research topics should be discussed with the Honours Coordinator. Preliminary reading should commence in the first month of the program, with the bulk of the project being completed in the second half of the program.
Assessment of the research project will consider: clarity and exposition; mathematical accuracy; mathematical insight displayed; coverage of the field and references, and may be complemented by one or more of the following: description of the application and/or business context; mathematical modelling; presentation and analysis of numerical results.
Postgraduate Diploma students will be required to give two seminars before their results are finalized, including one presentation on their research projects towards the end of the program. Postgraduate Diploma students should consider themselves a part of the research strength of the department and view departmental seminars as a method of broadening their knowledge. It is therefore expected that students will attend all research seminars in the broad area of their chosen field.
Advanced Coursework:
A Postgraduate Diploma student in mathematics and statistics is typically required to complete six Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics program) (coursework) subjects. Subject to approval by the student’s supervisor and the Honours Coordinator, it is possible to replace up to two Master of Science subjects with 300-level subjects.
Each MSc (Coursework) subject is one semester in length and comprises 36 contact hours (usually one two-hour lecture plus one one-hour practical class per week). Full-time students are advised to undertake four coursework subjects in the first semester and two coursework subjects in the second semester. In determining the final grade, only the best six advanced coursework subjects will be considered.
The advanced coursework subjects are clustered in ten streams: algebra, number theory and representations, analysis and set theory, complex systems, continuum modeling, discrete mathematics and algebraic combinatorics, geometry and topology, mathematical physics and statistical mechanics, operations research, statistics, stochastic processes. Students usually take at least two subjects from two different streams, one of which will normally be in the stream related to the topic of their research project. Under special circumstances, approval may be given for a student to do one subject of a comparable standard from outside the Department's offering.
Students without the listed prerequisites for a chosen subject will need to discuss possible enrolment in the subject with the lecturer in charge before taking the subject.
Other programs related to mathematics, applied mathematics