Why major in mathematics
From MathsDept
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Majoring in Mathematics
Mathematics can be taken as a major in a Bachelor of Science, as either (pure) Mathematics or Applied Mathematics. It can also be taken as a major or minor in a Bachelor of Arts, or as a component of most other degrees.
A Mathematics Major can be part of the Bachelor of Science(Mathematics) and Bachelor or Arts(Mathematics) programmes, of the following specialisations: BSc in Logic and Computation, Bioinformatics or Industrial Mathematics, a Bachelor in Technology or of a conjoint BSc(BA)/Bachelor of Education.
Mathematics combines well as a major with Biology, Physics, Computer Science and Statistics, Economics, Biological and Health Sciences, and with many other fields as well.
The Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Science (BCom/BSC (or BCom/BA) conjoint degree can combine a major in Mathematics with Finance and/or Economics, creating graduates which are higly desirable to employers.
Degrees with a Mathematics major
Frequently Asked Questions
Why study Mathematics at Auckland?
A Welcome by the Head of Department
The Department of Mathematics is one of the largest and most diverse departments within The University of Auckland, covering Applied Mathematics, Mathematics Education and Pure Mathematics. It has a strong international reputation and offers degrees and diplomas that enjoy widespread recognition with employers in New Zealand and internationally.
The staff of the Mathematics Department teach and research in many of the faculties of this University. It is possible to study mathematics in combination with a very wide range of other subjects, especially in the Faculties of Arts, Commerce and Science for the degrees of BA, BCom or BSc. Mathematics is an ideal supporting subject for students of many other disciplines.
If you are majoring in another subject but enjoy mathematics, you might like to consider a double major which includes mathematics. Using mathematics as a supplement to your primary major will enhance your future career and professional life. It is our experience that your future prospects and employability in any other field are enhanced with significant mathematical content in your degree. The increased analytical ability, comprehension of abstract concepts and creative thinking that you gain from studying mathematics are highly valued in the business, industrial, social and academic worlds.
Those studying in this department will be introduced both to the excitement of learning and exploring mathematics for its own sake and to the satisfaction of using mathematics to model and explain our world. They will be expected to use their skills and imagination on problems from old and emerging areas of mathematics, and from applied fields such as modelling the functions of the heart to waves in sea-ice.
Graduates from the department take up positions in business, foreign affairs, industry, research teams, planning and environmental organisations, and a wide range of other areas.
We will be pleased to welcome you as a student to the Department of Mathematics.
Regards,
Bill Barton
Head of Department
What makes Mathematics different from other majors?
Sometimes called the “Queen of Sciences”, Mathematics is a unique field of study. The subject of Mathematics has many aspects: it can be challenging, beautiful, powerful, fascinating, even mysterious to some people, but above all it is useful. Mathematics interacts with other disciplines and makes essential contributions to science, medicine and commerce, as well as to many important contemporary areas of technology such as communications, linguistics and genetics. Wherever problems need to be solved, mathematics has a role to play. In fact, many sciences rely so heavily on mathematics that their most important questions are, fundamentally, mathematical.
What will a Mathematics major do for me?
Mathematics leads to perhaps more diverse potential careers than any other discipline because it is the language through which nature, technology and reality are described. It is thus essential for almost every sphere of knowledge and activity in the modern world. For these reasons, Mathematics is a powerful and versatile major. With a degree comprising quantitative methods courses (mathematics, statistics, operations research and computing) you will have many opportunities for careers in industry or government, computer development, insurance, meteorology, traffic engineering, systems analysis, computing programming, statistics, biometrics or operations research, and many other fields. There is also a strong demand for mathematics teachers, in New Zealand and abroad. Mathematics majors are also strong candidates to pursue graduate studies in a variety of fields.
What is the mathematics major structure?
As a Mathematics major, you have a broad choice of courses and pathways. After completing a set of core courses, you will be able to chose from a variety of courses representing the main areas of mathematics. First-year (Stage I) courses in Mathematics are designed to provide you with a range of concepts, theoretical results, and analytical, computational and modelling skills that may be applied in a wide variety of areas - in the biological, information and physical sciences, economics, engineering and finance for example. Stage II and III courses build on these, covering more advanced topics, with the aim of helping you to acquire a broader base of skills and a deeper understanding of the concepts involved.
Will I have the opportunity to study topics I have deeps interest in?
You will have the opportunity to take directed reading courses in subjects of interest to you and to undertake undergraduate research with Department members. Each year, undergraduate research Summer Scholarships are awarded to students in the Department.
If you are majoring in computer science, finance, economics, political science, psychology, or any other science, then you will find that the coursework in your major relies heavily on mathematics. In order to have the best opportunity to do well in those courses and absorb that material, it is very beneficial to identify and take the appropriate mathematics courses. The courses offered by the Mathematics Department have applications to many other fields.
What about a double major?
If you are majoring in another subject but enjoy mathematics, you might like to consider a double major which includes mathematics. Using mathematics as a supplement to your primary major will enhance your future career and professional life. It is our experience that your future prospects and employability in any other field are enhanced with significant mathematical content in your degree. The increased analytical ability, comprehension of abstract concepts and creative thinking that you gain from studying mathematics are highly valued in the business, industrial, social and academic worlds.
What degrees may a get with a double major?
At undergraduate level a Mathematics major can be taken as part of the following Degrees: either a Bachelor of Science (in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Mathematics, Bioinformatics, or Logic and Computation) or a Bachelor of Arts (in Pure Mathematics).
What are the degree and major requirements?
On the Faculty of Science website, you will find the requirements for various Degrees that give you the opportunity to study Mathematics: www.science.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/science/about/subjects/
"I haven't got a strong Maths background but I am curious about Maths” or "I enjoyed Maths at school but I am moajoring in Arts, Law, etc.”
Besides the regular entry level maths courses, another way of discovering mathematics when you are majoring in Arts, or Social Sciences, Business and Commerce, or Humanities, Life or Physical Sciences, Communications or Languages, are the two General Education courses the Department offers (see the General Education section for details): MATHS 101G - Mathematics in Society and MATHS 190G - Great ideas shaping our world.
I am not sure what major to chose: who can I talk to?
If you wish to discuss your Major options, have problems enrolling in Mathematics courses or any enquiries, please contact the Undergraduate Advisor at the Mathematics Department:
n/a Rm n/a, Ext n/a, homepage or ugadvice@math.auckland.ac.nz
- Office hours: by appointment.
Careers in Mathematics
Graduates from the department take up positions in business, foreign affairs, industry, research teams, planning and environmental organisations, and a wide range of other areas.
Positions held by our graduates include: Information Analysis (MSD), Teaching, Information Systems or Computer Science, Operations Research, Biostatistics, Chemistry, Ecological Modelling (AgResearch), Resource Accounting Analyst (Landcorp), Electrical or Computer Engineering, Scientist- Modeller/Statistics (NIWA), Statistical Analysis (Statistics NZ), Meteorology (Metservice), Commercial Banking Graduate programmes, Research, Analysis with Policy Focus, Business Analysis, Sustainability Analysis (Landcorp) are just a few examples.
