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Enrolment Advice for students in 2024

Enrolling in the right maths or stats unit of study for your current level of knowledge is very important for your ongoing success in Mathematics and Statistics.

If, after reading through the document below, you are still unsure about your enrolment please consult the page https://www.maths.usyd.edu.au/u/UG/ for the list of appropriate people to contact for advice.

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First Year

This guide is for students enrolling in, or already enrolled in, mathematics units

  • as part of a major in Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science or Financial Mathematics and Statistics,
  • or as part of the Mathematics requirements for the Science Degree Core,
  • or for an Engineering degree,
  • or as an elective subject in another degree.

It will help you to check whether you are taking the right units, and tell you who to contact if you have any questions.

General Advice

General advice to keep in mind when considering your enrolment:

  • Students who have not done the NSW HSC should contact fy.maths@sydney.edu.au for advice.
  • Students who are wanting or required to do mathematics in Year 2 (intermediate mathematics) as an elective or because it is recommended by another major (such as Physics or Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) should enrol in Advanced units or Mainstream units, rather than Fundamental units.
  • If your degree program requires you to take a unit of study for which you do not have the assumed knowledge, you should consider taking the bridging course before semester starts.
  • If you are still uncertain about which units to take, please contact fy.maths@sydney.edu.au for advice.

Are you doing a major in Mathematics, Statistics, Financial Mathematics and Statistics, or Data Science?

Please note the following general points.

  • If you enrol in units for a major in Mathematics, Statistics, Financial Mathematics and Statistics, or Data Science, and you are taking a Science degree, then the units you choose will also contribute to the Mathematics requirements for the Science Degree Core.
  • It is important that one of the units MATH1962, MATH1972 or MATH1062 be selected: seek the advice of the Mathematics Student Services Office if you do not wish to do this.
  • Students with the appropriate background should take Advanced units (or Special Studies Units if invited to do so).
  • If you plan to take a major in one or more of Mathematics, Statistics, Financial Mathematics and Statistics, or Data Science, then you are also required to take at least 12 credit points of Faculty of Science units that are not Mathematics, Statistics, Financial Mathematics and Statistics or Data Science units (selected from the units in Science Faculty Table A).

The recommended choice of first year mathematics and statistics units depends on your mathematics background.

NSW HSC Extension 2 Mathematics or equivalent

If you wish to do a major in one of Mathematics or Financial Mathematics and Statistics, you should enrol in MATH1961 and MATH1962.

If you wish to do a major in Data Science, you should enrol in DATA1901. Moreover, you should enrol in either DATA1002 or DATA1902. Note that DATA1902 is intended for students with strong overall academic achievement (eg ATAR of 95 or above, or Distinction in a MATH, DATA or INFO unit).

If you wish to do a major in one of Mathematics or Financial Mathematics and Statistics and also wish to do a major in Data Science or Statistics, then you should enrol in MATH1961, MATH1962 and DATA1901. For Data Science you should enrol also in DATA1002 or DATA1902 (see comment above on DATA1902).

If you wish to do a major in one of Mathematics, Statistics or Financial Mathematics and Statistics, and also intend to take a major in Psychology, Life and Environmental Sciences, or Health, or are taking the BScMed, then you should enrol in MATH1961, MATH1962.

NSW HSC Extension 1 Mathematics or equivalent

If you wish to do a major in one of Mathematics, Statistics, Financial Mathematics and Statistics or Computational Mathematics and Modelling, you should enrol in MATH1061 and MATH1062.

If you wish to do a major in Data Science, you should enrol in DATA1001 and DATA1002.

If you wish to do a major in one of Mathematics or Financial Mathematics and Statistics, and also wish to do a major in Data Science or Statistics, then you should enrol in MATH1061, MATH1062 and DATA1001. If you major in Data Science you should also enrol in DATA1002.

If you wish to do a major in one of Mathematics or Financial Mathematics and Statistics, and also intend to take a major in Psychology, Life and Environmental Sciences, or Health, or are taking the BScMed, then you should enrol in MATH1061 and MATH1062.

NSW HSC Mathematics Advanced or equivalent

For those doing a major in Life Sciences, we recommend to enrol in MATH1050 and DATA1001.

If you wish to do a major in one of Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Financial Mathematics and Statistics, please contact the School of Mathematics and Statistics for advice: fy.maths@sydney.edu.au.

Please note that the old 3cp units are only available to continuing students, see Table of Units for an overview.

Remember, we are here to help. If you need advice on your enrolment choices in the School of Mathematics and Statistics, please contact us: fy.maths@sydney.edu.au

If you have strong marks in your chosen (or recommended) level of mathematics units, you may wish to move into a higher stream. Please contact fy.maths@sydney.edu.au to discuss your options.

Conversely, if you have not obtained strong marks in the mathematics units you have taken to date, it might be sensible to move into the stream below. Before making any decisions, please contact fy.maths@sydney.edu.au to discuss your options.

Although this is not shown in the recommendations above, students are able to take units from a mixtures of Advanced level (MATH19XX) units and Mainstream level (MATH106X) units, but it is usually more straightforward to take all units from the same level, at least for your first semester of enrolment.

Are you taking mathematics units to satisfy a Science Degree Mathematics core requirement, but are not doing a maths major?

**This section does not apply to students who plan to do a major in Mathematics, Statistics, Financial Mathematics and Statistics, or Data Science, since the requirements for these majors include the mathematics requirement of the science degree core.**

Students who want Mathematics as a support for a major in another area have a wide range of choices. Some faculties, schools and departments prescribe or recommend mathematics units: refer to the appropriate handbooks or advisers. In general, take as many mathematics units as you can fit in; if have the prerequisites, take Advanced units rather than Mainstream units and Mainstream units rather than Fundamental units. If you intend to take intermediate units in mathematics, take MATH1962 or MATH1062; if you do not wish to do this, seek the advice of the Mathematics Student Services Office.

The recommended choice of mathematics core units depends on your mathematics background.

NSW HSC Extension 2 Mathematics or equivalent

Choosing MATH1961 and MATH1962 keeps the most options open for you.

For students doing a Psychology major, a major in Life and Environmental Sciences or Health, or the Medical Science degree, the recommended choice is MATH1961 and DATA1901.

NSW HSC Extension 1 Mathematics or equivalent

Choosing MATH1061, MATH1062 keeps the most options open for you. These units, or the corresponding Advanced level (MATH19XX) units, are also indispensible for majors in Physics or Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

For students doing a Psychology major, a major in Life and Environmental Sciences or Health, or the Medical Science degree, the recommended choice is MATH1061, DATA1001.

NSW HSC Mathematics Advanced or equivalent

MATH1050 and DATA1001 are recommended. (But note that these do not satisfy the requirements of the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology major.)

For students doing a Psychology major, a major in Life and Environmental Sciences or Health, or the Medical Science degree, the recommended choice is DATA1001 and MATH1050.

NSW HSC Mathematics 2 or no Year 12 Mathematics

MATH1111*, MATH1002 and MATH1005 are recommended for students commencing before 2021. (But note that these do not satisfy the requirements of the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology major.) From 2021 MATH1111 is not included in the Science core list of units. In this case SCIE1001, DATA1001 are recommended.

*Who should take MATH1111 Introduction to Calculus?

This unit of study is available only to those students who have not successfully completed a calculus course at school. Students with HSC Mathematics Standard 2 (or 1) or only Year 10 Mathematics are eligible to enrol in this unit, although permission must be sought from the School of Mathematics and Statistics in order to enrol. The unit is offered only in semester 1.

Enrolment by Faculty

Students in the Faculty of Science

Science students are required to complete at least 12 credit points of mathematics and/or statistics and/or general science. The choice of which units to take depends largely on whether the student is doing a major in Mathematics, Statistics, Financial Mathematics or Data Science, or taking mathematical units to satisfy a Science Degree Mathematics core requirement.

Students with HSC Mathematics Extension 2 (or equivalent) will generally take MATH1961 and MATH1962 or DATA1901. For the Data Science major students will take MATH1961 and DATA1001.

Students with HSC Mathematics Extension 1 (or equivalent) will generally take MATH1061, MATH1062 or DATA1001. For the Data Science major students will take MATH1061 and DATA1001.

Students with HSC Mathematics Advanced (or equivalent) will generally take MATH1050 and DATA1001.

Students who have not successfully completed calculus at school should enrol in SCIE1001 and DATA1001.

Students in the Faculty of Engineering

Engineering students are required to study mathematics in both first and second year. Different engineering departments have different requirements: engineering students should consult the Engineering Handbook for the the requirements of individual engineering departments.

Most first year engineering students will take MATH1061 and MATH1062 (or MATH1064 for the Bachelor of Advanced Computing). Engineering students with HSC Mathematics Extension 2 (or equivalent) may choose instead the advanced units MATH1961 and MATH1962 (or MATH1964).

Engineering students who do not have Mathematics Extension 1 (or equivalent) are strongly advised to do a Bridging Course before semester starts. Details of Bridging Courses are available from the Student Services Office (Carslaw room 520), or at http://www.maths.usyd.edu.au/u/BC

Students in the Faculties of Arts, Economics and Education

Junior mathematics units may be taken by students in these faculties. Consult the relevant Faculty Handbook for details.

Enrolment in Special Studies Program (SSP) units

These units are offered to a relatively small group of talented and committed students. The two SSP units are MATH1971 and MATH1972. MATH1971 includes all the material in MATH1961 as well as special topics which are not available elsewhere in the Mathematics and Statistics programs. Students attend the MATH1961 lectures and complete all MATH1961 assessment tasks, but have their own seminar and tutorial.

Similarly, MATH1972 has the same lectures as MATH1962 plus seminars on special topics. For the purposes of Science Faculty regulations, SSP units count as Advanced units.

Selection into MATH1971 and/or MATH1972 is based on interest in and commitment to mathematics, and on HSC (or equivalent) results. A NSW ATAR score of at least 98.5 and a score of 95% in Mathematics Extension 2 is generally expected, although students with lower scores and a serious commitment to mathematics may apply for selection. Students interested in obtaining entry to the Special Studies Program should enrol in MATH1961 (unless informed otherwise) and subsequently apply for entry into MATH1971. Details of how to apply will be available on the MATH1971 website http://www.maths.usyd.edu.au/u/UG/JM/MATH1971/ by late January or early February.

Beyond Junior: Intermediate, Senior, and Honours Units of Study

It is currently possible to proceed to an Honours degree in any of the following three disciplines: Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, Financial Mathematics and Statistics and in Data Science. The School's intermediate and senior units of study are offered at two levels: advanced and mainstream. Intending Honours students are encouraged to select advanced units of study. There are intermediate and senior units of study offered by the School of Mathematics and Statistics that complement specialized studies in other discipline areas. In particular, certain other Science discipline areas (such as Physics and Computer Science) include intermediate mathematics units in their requirements.

Second Year

This advice should be read in conjunction with the list of units offered by the School of Mathematics and Statistics.

If you are doing a major or minor in Mathematics

You are required to take two core units, MATH2021 (or MATH2921) and MATH2022 (or MATH2922), and one further selective unit, either MATH2023 (or MATH2923) or MATH2088 (or MATH2988). Each of these can be taken at either Mainstream (MATH20XX) or Advanced (MATH29XX) level. If you have space, you can choose to do both selectives. If you can only take one selective and are unsure which one to choose, MATH2023/2923 gives you the most options for third year.

If you are doing a major or minor in Statistics

You are required to take two core units, STAT2011 (or STAT2911) and DATA2002 (or DATA2902). (Here STAT2011 and DATA2002 are Mainstream level, while the alternatives STAT2911 and DATA2902 are Advanced level.)

If you are doing a major or minor in Data Science

You are required to take two core units, DATA2001/2901 (taught by the School of Information Technology) and DATA2002/2902, and one further unit from a list that includes STAT2011/2911. (In each case there are both Mainstream and Advanced units available.)

If you are doing a major or minor in Financial Mathematics and Statistics

You are required to take three core units, MATH2070/2970, STAT2011/2911 and DATA2002/2902. If you have elective space in your degree, MATH2021/2921 and MATH2023/2923 are the most directly relevant to other MATH units you may wish to take.

If you are doing a major or minor in Quantitative Life Sciences

You are required to take two selective units from a list that includes DATA2002/2902.

If you are doing the Mathematical Sciences Program

In addition to the units required for your major, you are required to take at least two selective 2000-level or 3000-level units, according to rules which depend on your major. See the description of the program in the Faculty of Science handbook.

If you are not doing one of the above majors/minors/programs, but are choosing mathematics and statistics units to complement studies in a different area

Some recommendations are MATH2021/2921 for students majoring in physics or chemistry, MATH2088/2988 for students majoring in Information Technology, MATH2061 for students in the Faculty of Engineering. (Note that MATH2061 is not available for new-curriculum students in the Faculty of Science).

Third Year

This advice should be read in conjunction with the list of units offered by the School of Mathematics and Statistics.

If you are doing a major in Mathematics

You are required to take an interdisciplinary project unit, either MATH3888 or SCPU3001, and at least two further 3000-level units. If you are intending to do Honours in Applied Mathematics or Pure Mathematics, you should select from the MATH39XX units.

If you are doing a minor in Mathematics

You are required to take at least one 3000-level MATH unit.

If you are doing a major in Statistics

You are required to take an interdisciplinary project unit, either STAT3888 or SCPU3001, two core units, STAT3022/3922 and STAT3023/3923 (each of which can be taken at either Mainstream or Advanced level), and one further unit chosen from STAT3021, STAT3925, STAT3926. If you are intending to do Honours in Statistics, you should choose the advanced level units in as many cases as possible.

If you are doing a minor in Statistics

You are required to take at least two 3000-level STAT units.

If you are doing a major in Data Science

You are required to take an interdisciplinary project unit, either DATA3888 or STAT3888, a methodology unit chosen from a list that includes STAT3021, STAT3022/3922 and STAT3023/3923, and one further selective unit chosen from a list that includes all the above units. If you are intending to do Honours in Data Science (available from 2020), you should take as many of these units at advanced level as possible.

If you are doing a minor in Data Science

You are required to take a methodology unit chosen from a list that includes STAT3021, STAT3022/3922 and STAT3023/3923.

If you are doing a major in Financial Mathematics and Statistics

You are required to take the core unit MATH3075/3975, an interdisciplinary project unit, either FMAT3888 or SCPU3001, a mathematics unit chosen from MATH3076/4076, MATH3979, MATH4071, and a statistics unit chosen from STAT3021 (recommended), STAT3022/3922, STAT3023/3923. If you are intending to do Honours in Financial Mathematics and Statistics (available from 2020), you should take as many of these units at advanced level as possible.

If you are doing a minor in Financial Mathematics and Statistics

You are required to take the core unit MATH3075/3975 and a statistics unit chosen from STAT3021 (recommended), STAT3022/3922, STAT3023/3923.

If you are doing the Mathematical Sciences Program

If your major is Mathematics or Data Science, note that you are required to take at least one 3000-level or 4000-level unit offered by the School in addition to those required for your major. See the description of the program in the Faculty of Science handbook.

The Mathematical Sciences Program

The Mathematical Sciences program is the undergraduate foundation of the vertically integrated BSc/MMathSci. It is designed to give students both a broad and deep experience of the Mathematical Sciences (including coding skills, which are important in employment and in research).

Overall Program Structure

The Mathematical Sciences Program involves 24 credit points of units in each of first year, second year and third year, and thus makes up half of the credit point requirement for a Bachelor of Science degree. Students in the program will do a major in one of Mathematics, Financial Mathematics and Statistics, Statistics or Data Science.

First year :

MATH1921/1931, MATH1902, MATH1923/1933, MATH1905 and two non-mathematics science core units.

Students who take DATA1901 or DATA1001 should replace MATH1905 by MATH1904.

It has been agreed that the mainstream level units MATH1021, MATH1002, MATH1023, MATH1004 and MATH1005 may replace their advanced level counterparts so that students achieving excellent results may transfer into the program after their first year.

Second year :

Three of MATH2921, MATH2922, STAT2911 and DATA2902, and a further unit to meet the requirements of the chosen major.

Third year :

An interdisciplinary project unit for the major, a major unit, another major unit, and either a third major unit (for 2+2+4 majors) or a program selective (for 2+3+3 majors).