The Good Universities Guide

What to expect

Getting a degree in mathematics

What to expect

If you are considering maths you have probably done a fair bit of it and are reasonably good at it. You may also know of its main sub-divisions:

• pure maths (subjects like differential and integral calculus, mathematical logic, linear programming as well as areas like environmental or financial maths)
• applied maths (e.g. vector calculus, dynamics, probability)
• statistics and operations research (e.g. sampling theory, non-parametric statistical inference, stochastic processes).

Student numbers are quite small in the mathematics field. This is despite countless reports suggesting that maths teachers (especially good ones) are in dire shortage, and that maths practitioners (e.g. statisticians and mathematical scientists) who are critical for research and development, are also in unfortunately small numbers.

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Getting a degree in mathematics

Visit the University Ratings section for mathematics course ratings.

Courses and specialisations

Maths can be studied in a range of different degrees, from science or even arts to statistics. Courses at the newer universities are usually at the more ‘applied’ end of the spectrum. According to the national Course Experience Questionnaire survey, maths graduates are usually very satisfied with their experience (especially the teaching).

Getting in

Even though mathematics is a small field, while cut-offs vary, entry is not all that easy. Courses are in high demand and you can expect to find maths as a prerequisite. Entry requirements vary but overall, courses in this field are nearer the 'competitive' end of the spectrum for new admissions.

Where to study

Maths courses are more readily available than you might expect, considering it is such a small, specialised field. Nearly 70 campuses all around the country offer courses with a mathematics major available.

What to look for

This is generally a very academic field, relying on human resources rather than any particularly elaborate learning facilities (a good library is always essential though). As with all the major disciplines, in maths, the teachers and researchers will make all of the difference to your learning experience. Find out about the teaching and research track record at any institution of interest.

If you think you might want to go on to do postgraduate research, it is an advantage to do your first degree at one of the universities with an established research track record.

Careers for mathematics degree graduates

According to the national Course Experience Questionnaire survey, mathematics graduates are usually satisfied with their experience and very satisfied with the teaching quality. Unemployment rates are average (23 per cent in 2009), while 36 per cent of graduates went on to further study. Of those who got jobs, some went into occupations requiring specialised mathematical skills (computer professionals, actuaries, statisticians, mathematicians, and researchers); others went into more general jobs in public and private sector organisations; some became teachers. Starting salaries were very high, averaging $52,176.

If you’re contemplating university-level maths, you might also be interested in this subject in its own right, not as a means to another occupational end. There are careers that will allow you to absorb yourself in the world of mathematics full-time. They are, of course, research and academic roles.

Although it is not always easy to find academic positions these days, you might still be inspired to try. Consider the group of local mathematicians who ‘mapped E8’, which is claimed to be the maths equivalent of the human genome project. And let’s not forget Australian graduate and Fields Medal winner Terry Tao.

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For more information

See www.mathscareers.org.au for more information about careers in mathematics and statistics, including interviews and profiles of people who already work in the field.

If you are interested in maths you should also consider some of the specialisations within such fields as accounting, business and management, computing and information technology, economics, education, and engineering, which might make life easier when the time comes to find a job.

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