Mathematics is the science of patterns: numerical patterns, patterns of shape, patterns of motion, patterns of behaviour, and so on. Since patterns are found in all areas of life, so is mathematics.
In statistics, we start with some real-life data and want to find out as much as we can about the processes that produced the data. Modern life produces almost endless amounts of data, which means that statisticians are always in high demand.
How do computer games work? How is the information contained in an MP3 file transformed into music? How are traffic lights programmed to yield the best flow of traffic? How do we know which quantity of an antibiotic is going to get rid of your flu? All these questions are answered using mathematics and statistics.
From biology to engineering to the finance industry, mathematics and statistics are in action.ÌýAs a mathematician or statistician you have the opportunity to contribute to almost any field of endeavour. Mathematical and statistical skills are flexible and transferable, and can be applied to almost any industry anywhere around the world.
By studying mathematics and statistics you improve your logical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills. Solving mathematical and statistical problems requires creativity and adaptability.ÌýThese skills are highly valued by employers.
Career choices are boundless - see our more detailed careers page or the  for more details regarding job prospects. You can also find out what some of our former students are doing now on our alumniÌý±è²¹²µ±ð.
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Yes, there are many more than can be filled by the numbers of students graduating. A degree in mathematics or statistics provides you with international employment opportunities.
See where many of our graduates end up working, via our Alumni webpage.Ìý
AMSI's "Maths Adds" career guide website also provides a good overview of the kinds of jobs on offer to maths and stats graduates:Â
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With the evolution of computing, many areas have been opened up to mathematical advances - in finance, biology, weather simulation, medical diagnosis, image processing, for example - providing many new kinds of job opportunities. Mathematical skill has kept pace with the advances in hardware and software, so mathematics graduates are highly sought-after to give a competitive advantage. Mathematicians are trained to think logically and to approach problems in analytical and creative ways. Studying mathematics and statistics prepares you for a wide variety of careers because it provides you with the problem solving, computing and communication skills that employers want.
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There are opportunities in areas as diverse as banking, insurance and investment, environmental modelling, oceanography, meteorology, computing, information technology, government, education or research. In the finance industry, for example, there are many highly-paid positions in areas like portfolio optimisation, option pricing and stockmarket prediction. The handling of large amounts of money requires the use of sophisticated mathematical techniques to limit risk. The official regulator of the financial sector, the APRA, also regularly advertises graduate opportunities. And the deregulation of the electricity generation industry has created a high demand for mathematicians.
There are many positions in the area of environmental modelling, which uses mathematics to understand and predict complex environmental systems. The