Mathematics
Dr Rua Murray, Associate Professor in Mathematics and Statistics, was recognised as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s top tertiary teachers with an Ako Aotearoa national tertiary teaching excellence award in 2013. His research interests lie in pure and applied mathematics, with a focus on the behaviour of complex systems. He has taught thousands of students from foundation to graduate level.
Qualifications
Overview
Our modern society is underpinned by many mathematical results and insights. Mathematics is a living subject with new ideas, techniques, and theorems constantly being created, tested, and explored.
Mathematicians are at the forefront of breakthroughs in science, technology, and finance. Did you know:
- Money is kept secure when using internet banking protocols based on mathematical cryptography and prime numbers.
- Medical images such as MRI are reconstructed using mathematical tools that were first developed in the early 1800s.
- The mathematics of wavelet transformations helps us to understand seismic activity, which may one day assist us with the prediction of earthquakes.
- Mathematicians can find solutions to equations that govern the universe to help us understand physical phenomena, without the need for expensive experiments.
- Mathematical modelling can help with the protection of our native flora and fauna.
Mathematical thought is one of the greatest human achievements, and has been around for over 4,000 years. In all these millennia, mathematicians have been one step ahead and are already preparing for the technological advances of the coming generation.
- UC is known internationally for its involvement in Mathematics and Statistics education and research. Several members of staff have awards for their work in this area. Our research expertise underpins our undergraduate teaching.
- Every year the School of Mathematics and Statistics welcomes visiting scholars on the Erskine Fellowship Programme. Students benefit greatly from their teaching and the alternative perspectives they offer.
- The School is active in supporting and promoting undergraduate research through summer projects and honours dissertations, with some of our recent budding scholars heading to Oxford, Harvard, and Yale for postgraduate work.
- UC also has a thriving culture that encourages meeting up with like-minded students through clubs.
Entry into MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics is open to all students with entry to the University.
Entry into MATH 102 Mathematics 1A requires 14 credits at NCEA level 3 maths. The School of Mathematics and Statistics offers a choice of courses designed to cater for students with a range of backgrounds and interests. Detailed entry recommendations are available on the School's website.
Students who have performed very well in NCEA Level 3 statistics and/or calculus (or IB/Cambridge equivalent) may be eligible for direct entry into a 200-level Mathematics course.
UC also offers Headstart summer preparatory courses in January/February for students who have not studied mathematics or statistics for some time, or who lack confidence in their skills.
UC offers a major and a minor in Mathematics as part of the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science.
You can also study this subject as a minor within the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, and Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.
Mathematics major
To complete a major in Mathematics within the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:
100-level
Students who have not taken mathematics to Year 13 level are also strongly advised to take MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics.
200-level
Plus two courses chosen from:
- MATH 202 Differential Equations
- MATH 203 Linear Algebra
- MATH 220 Discrete Mathematics and Cryptography
- MATH 240 Analysis and Group
Students must do at least one of MATH 202 or MATH 203.
300-level
Another two courses from 300-level MATH or STAT courses are also required if you intend to go onto postgraduate studies in Mathematics. MATH 343 Metric, Normed and Hilbert Spaces is recommended.
It is good to include other subject courses during your major study. Popular choices include Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Management, Physics, and Statistics.
Mathematics minor
For the Mathematics minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership, you will need to take these courses throughout your chosen degree:
- 75 points in 100 to 300-level MATH courses, with at least 45 points at 200-level or above
Perhaps the most important quality that a Mathematics graduate develops is the ability to reason logically and in depth. Mathematics is a creative, collaborative pursuit. The habits of thought developed by studying Mathematics are of permanent value.
Mathematics graduates are highly employable, working in computing, finance, commerce, insurance, scientific institutions (such as Crown Research Institutes), law, teaching, and many other fields.
Employment opportunities are particularly good for people who combine qualifications in Mathematics with qualifications in other disciplines such as the Physical Sciences, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Management, and Economics.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Mathematics.
Contact us
School of Mathematics and Statistics
Phone +64 3 369 2233
Email enquiries@math.canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Erskine Building – see the School's website for up-to-date location details.
Postal address
College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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