Bachelor of Science (Honours) major in Mathematics

Mathematics has many faces. It can be challenging, powerful, fascinating, even mysterious – but above all it is useful. Mathematics makes essential contributions to the biological, information and physical sciences, economics, engineering and finance, but can also be applied to communications, linguistics and genetics.
Wherever problems need to be solved, mathematics has a role to play. For this reason, Mathematics is an excellent major in its own right, or as a second major or supporting subject for many other disciplines.

You’ll take courses covering the following key areas:
- Analytical, computational and modelling
- Comprehension of abstract concepts
- Concepts and theoretical results
- Creative thinking

Studying Mathematics will open you up to skills that are highly valued in the business, financial, industrial, social and academic worlds.

You can study Mathematics as a postgraduate specialisation in either Faculty of Science or Faculty of Arts and Education programmes.

Postgraduate study in Mathematics increases your knowledge and understanding across a broader and deeper range of topics in Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics or Mathematics Education. You will have the opportunity to learn about research, make new discoveries, develop new ways of thinking, and have the exciting and rewarding experience of presenting your own new findings. Research areas open to exploration include:

Algebra
Climate modelling
Combinatorics
Complex analysis and differential equations
Dynamical systems
Functional analysis and operator theory
Industrial mathematics
Mathematical biology
Mathematics education
Numerical analysis
Topology

Mathematics develops advanced problem-solving skills and opens up career opportunities in industry or government, teaching, computer development and programming, systems analysis, operations research and many other fields.

A good mathematical background enhances your problem-solving skills, comprehension of abstract concepts, analytical skills and creative thinking. These qualities are valued in technical roles and in positions of leadership and management. You can read more from our students and graduates and find out where a degree in Mathematics has taken them.

Jobs related to Mathematics
- Academia and research
- Actuarial and business analysis
- Biostatistics and biotechnology
- Data science
- Economic analysis
- Financial services (banks, investment funds, insurance)
- Government (IRD, Defence, Security Intelligence)
- Information systems and technology
- Modelling (engineering, industry, logistics, meteorology and many other areas)
- Operations research
- Risk management
- Software development (programming, artificial intelligence, robotics)
- Statistical analysis
- Sustainability analysis
- Teaching
- Telecommunications industry