| Course | Type of place | UAC code | Course duration | 2009 ATAR cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B Science (Advanced Mathematics) | CSP | 429014 | 4F | 95.40 |
| B Science (Advanced Mathematics)/B Arts | CSP | 429014 | 5F | 95.40 |
Assumed knowledge: HSC Mathematics Extension 1.
Recommended studies: HSC Mathematics Extension 2.
Major studies: Applied mathematics, pure mathematics, quantitative risk, statistics.
Career opportunities: Examples include opportunities in areas as diverse as banking, insurance and investment, environmental modelling, oceanography, meteorology, computing, information technology, government, education or research. In the finance industry, for example, there are positions in areas like portfolio optimisation, option pricing and stockmarket prediction. The mass of data produced by supermarket scanners and similar devices have created jobs in data mining or ‘analytics’ and predictive modeling. There are many positions in the area of environmental modelling, which uses mathematics to understand and predict complex environmental systems. The School’s courses in oceanography, marine science and meteorology are directly relevant to work in the Bureau of Meteorology, The Weather Company and the CSIRO.
Honours: The fourth (honours) year is an integral part of the degree program and involves a research project combined with advanced coursework. Students must maintain a high credit average.
Additional information: UNSW offers mathematics students the most advanced facilities combined with innovative teaching. The Advanced Mathematics program has been designed to cater for the specific abilities and interests of talented students with a superior ATAR or equivalent. The program differs from the B Science with the inclusion of compulsory advanced level courses, an honours year, and options tailored to an individual’s aptitude and interests.
The High Performance Students Plan is restricted to the very top Mathematics students, such as those with very high marks in HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or with Mathematical Olympiad training. Students in the High Performance Students Plan are effectively able to design their own degree with few restrictions. Each student will have an academic mentor who will assist them in planning their studies choosing courses from Mathematics and Statistics and optionally from most other disciplines in the University.
A combined degree with Advanced Mathematics and Arts is available through the B Science (Advanced Mathematics)/B Arts. Combined Science degrees with Commerce or Engineering are available through 424000 B Com/B Sc (4 years) or 425014 B Eng/B Sc (5 years). While these are not Advanced Mathematics degrees, students can take an additional honours year in Mathematics or Statistics.
The Faculty of Science at UNSW leads in science teaching and research. The 2009 Good Universities Guide awarded UNSW the maximum five-star rating for 10 performance indicators placing UNSW above all other Australian universities and we were ranked No. 1 in excellence for teaching and learning under the Federal Government’s 2009 Learning and Teaching Performance Fund. The University is recognised for its strong links with industry and commerce. For further information call the Science Student Centre on 9385 7788, email science@unsw.edu.au or visit www.science.unsw.edu.au.
Flexibility and choice of specialisations: UNSW offers a wide range of Science degrees with flexible or structured programs tailored to the needs and ambitions of students and to the knowledge and skills sought by employers. There are also Science degrees designed to provide a basis for professional accreditation. Specialised and vocational degrees in Science at UNSW include Aviation, Biotechnology, Communications, Environmental Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Medical Science, Nanotechnology, Optometry and Psychology.
Talented students: UNSW offers high-achieving students the opportunity to participate in the Talented Student Program (TSP). To be eligible for selection, first year students must have obtained an ATAR or equivalent of 99.00 (other relevant criteria such as Olympiad participation will be considered). After first year students will need a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 85 (other criteria may also apply) for their continued participation. Under the TSP students are appointed an academic mentor who will involve them in special research projects to enhance their academic experience and potential. High-achieving students also have an opportunity for additional flexibility and acceleration of their program. Other benefits from being selected for this program include the opportunity to participate in student mentoring, school activities, international exchange, and the summer scholarship scheme.
Acceleration: High-achieving students should consult an academic program adviser prior to enrolment to discuss opportunities for acceleration based on exceptional scientific and mathematical achievements.
Combined degrees: The following degree programs can be combined with Science: 424000 Commerce, 425011, 425014 Engineering, 425014 Computer Science, 426000 Law, 429001 Social Science, 429001 Arts and 429002 Education.
Majors in ScienceAnatomy, biochemistry, biological science (including zoology and botany), biotechnology, chemistry, ecology, environmental earth science, environment and society*, food science, genetics, geography, geology, history and philosophy of science*, marine science (marine biology, marine geology or physical oceanography), materials science, mathematics, medical microbiology and immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, philosophy*, physical oceanography/meteorology, physics, physiology, psychology, safety science, spatial information systems, statistics, toxicology, vision science.
*These study plans have to be combined with a Science-based major.
Majors in Advanced ScienceAnatomy, archaeology and palaeoenvironments*, biochemistry, biological science, chemistry, climate science*, ecology, genetics, geochemistry*, geosciences*, marine and coastal studies*, materials sciences, mathematical physics*, medical chemistry*, medical microbiology and immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience*, pharmacology, physical oceanography, physics, physics and astronomy*, physics and computing*, physiology, psychology, vision science.
*Study plans specifically designed for the advanced level and only available in the Advanced Science program.
High performance students: Talented students have the opportunity to participate in the High Performance plan. This gives students the flexibility to create their own program with the assistance of their academic advisor.
Majors in Advanced MathsApplied mathematics, pure mathematics, quantitative risk*, statistics
*This study plan is by invitation only.
High performance students: Talented students have the opportunity to participate in the High Performance plan. This gives students the flexibility to create their own program with the assistance of their academic advisor.
| CSP | Commonwealth-supported place (used to be called HECS: includes upfront HECS payment and deferred payment through HECS-HELP). |
| N/A | Selection criteria other than the ATAR used; or the course is not offered to current Year 12 applicants. |
| A+C | Combination of ATAR and additional selection criteria used. |
| nc | New course offered through UAC, no cut-offs available. |
| n/o | No offers made in 2009, no cut-off available. |