Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics)

The Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics) is a coursework masters degree incorporating a substantial research project.
The Master of Science gives students the opportunity to undertake a substantive research project in a field of choice as well as a broad range of coursework subjects including a professional skills component, as a pathway to PhD study or to the workforce.

After completing this course students should have:

• discovered the challenge of research in Mathematics and Statistics;
• a deeper knowledge of Mathematics and Statistics;
• completed a substantial piece of research; and
• a sound preparation for future research in Mathematics or Statistics.

Students must complete a total of 200 pts comprising:

• Discipline subjects (137.5 points);
• Professional Skills Subject (12.5 points);
• Research Project Component (50 points or 25 points with an additional 25 points of Masters level Mathematics and Statistics subjects).

Students must select a specialisation from one of the following:

• Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Physics
• Discrete Mathematics and Operations Research
• Pure Mathematics
• Statistics and Stochastic Processes

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Subjects to be taken from the student's specialisation

Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Physics Specialisation

Students must take two compulsory specialisation subjects:

Students must select three elective specialisation subjects:

Discrete Mathematics and Operations Research Specialisation

Students must take two compulsory specialisation subjects:

Students must select three elective specialisation subjects:

Pure Mathematics Specialisation

Students must take two compulsory specialisation subjects:

Students must select three elective specialisation subjects:

Statistics and Stochastic Processes Specialisation

Students must take two compulsory specialisation subjects:

Students must select three elective specialisation subjects:

Further Discipline subjects

Students must also select:

- Two subjects (25 points) from a single specialisation different to their selected specialisation; and

- Four subjects (50 points) from any of the specialisations (including up to two approved Masters level subjects from other departments).

Up to two of these subjects can be replaced with approved undergraduate subjects. Where it is necessary for the student to acquire the required knowledge for Masters level Mathematics & Statistics discipline subjects, up to two further Masters level subjects can be replaced with approved undergraduate subjects.

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Professional Skills

Students must take:

*Students who have completed one of the introductory programming subjects MAST30028, COMP10001, COMP10002, COMP20005, INFO10001, 615-145, 433-151, 433-171, or 600-151, are not required to take this subject. Students who have also completed one of the introductory probability subjects MAST20004, MAST20006, 620-201, or 620-205, or who have completed 620-131, must obtain the permission of the MSc co-ordinator to enrol in this subject. Students not taking MAST90045 Systems Modelling and Simulation as part of their masters program must complete an additional 12.5 point masters-level discipline Mathematics and Statistics subject in its place.

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Research Project - 50 points

A typical course structure for full time students

Full time students are advised to structure their enrolments as follows:

• Semester 1 -- 50.0 points of coursework and no research project.
• Semester 2 -- 37.5 points of coursework and Research Project Part A (12.5 points).
• Semester 3 -- 37.5 points of coursework and Research Project Part B (12.5 points).
• Semester 4 -- 25.0 points of coursework and Research Project Part C (25 points).

Other structures that are suitable for part time study, or for students who enroll with credit from earlier degrees, can be negotiated with the student's supervisor and the departmental MSc program coordinator.

Research Project Component

The first semester of study is meant for coursework only. During the first semester, students should finalize their choice of research project supervisor and research topic.

The research project should be conducted in three consecutive semesters. Typically, work on the project, including associated thesis and presentation, starts at the beginning of the second semester of study and is conducted in 60 of the next 66 weeks. An indicative total time commitment of 800 hours for the duration of the project is expected.

The assessment requirements below are applicable to the entire 50 point Research Project.

• A preliminary literature survey and research plan (of 2 pages) is due at the end of week eight of the first research project enrolment semester (hurdle; pass/fail ).
• A thesis (90% of assessment) is the main requirement due after the full 50 points of enrolment in the research project component, Theses are expected to be 60-80 pages in length, excluding references, appendices, figures and tables. Two bound hard copies of the thesis are to be submitted two weeks prior to the end of the teaching period in the final semester of Research project enrolment;
• students will have to give 30 minute presentations (10% of assessment) on their research projects in the last week of that teaching period, on a date to be announced by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the beginning of semester.

Leave of absence during enrolment in a research project and outside of university holidays requires the approval of the student’s supervisor.

Under special circumstances, with the permission of the program coordinator, students may be allowed to complete two 25 point research projects in lieu of a single 50 point project.

Research Project - 25 points

A typical course structure for full time students

Full time students are advised to structure their enrolments as follows:

• Semester 1 -- 50.0 points of coursework and no research project.
• Semester 2 -- 50.0 points of coursework and no research project.
• Semester 3 -- 37.5 points of coursework and Minor Research Project Part A (12.5 points).
• Semester 4 -- 37.5 points of coursework and Minor Research Project Part B (12.5 points).

Other structures that are suitable for part time study, or for students who enroll with credit from earlier degrees, can be negotiated with the student’s supervisor and the departmental MSc program coordinator.

Research Project Component

The research project starts at the beginning of the third semester of study. Typically, work on the project, including associated thesis and presentation, should be conducted in 40 of the next 44 weeks.
An indicative total time commitment of 400 hours for the duration of the project is expected.
Leave of absence during enrolment in a research project and outside of university holidays requires the approval of the student’s supervisor.

Two bound hardcopies of the research thesis are to be submitted two weeks prior to the end of the teaching period in the final semester of research project enrolment, being the forth semester of study. The students will have to give presentations on their research projects in the last week of that teaching period, on a date to be announced by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the beginning of that semester.

Students completing this option will be required to select a further 25 points of coursework subjects from the relevant specialisation.

An undergraduate degree with a major in Mathematics, Statistics or Mathematical Physics, with at least an H3 (65%) in the major, or equivalent.

Quotas may be applied and preference may be given to applicants with evidence of appropriate preparation or potential to undertake research. Entry is subject to the capacity of the department to provide adequate supervision in, and resources for, a research project appropriate to the interests and preparation of the individual student and may be subject to the agreement of a member of academic staff to supervise the project module. Selection is not automatic and, in particular, is subject to competition.

The Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics) welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the degree. The Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics) requires the following for all enrolled students:

(1) the ability to comprehend complex science and technology related information;

(2) the ability to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of science, and technology principles and practices during assessment tasks;

(3) the ability to spend significant time behind a computer screen.

Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students. There may be additional inherent academic requirements for some subjects, and these requirements are listed within the description of the requirements for each of these subjects. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the relevant Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The Master of Science offers a pathway to a PhD.

Graduates will:

• have the ability to demonstrate advanced independent critical enquiry, analysis and reflection;
• have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship;
• have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s);
• reach a high level of achievement in writing, research or project activities, problem-solving and communication;
• be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning;
• be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines;
• have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment; and
• be able to initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces.