Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

Operations research
Operations research is the scientific study of problems arising
in commerce and industry. Students examine loosely
structured practical problems at an early stage in the
program and later work in groups to undertake real projects
for external clients. Computer methods are used extensively
in both classes and group work.
Applied statistics
Applied statistics is concerned with the collection and
analysis of data. Students will study statistical methods for
sampling, for making inferences from samples and for
modelling data using methods such as regression. Studies in
applied statistics will equip students with the ability to plan
statistical investigations and to analyse data using specialist
statistical computer packages.
n
Computational mathematics (not
!a
n available in 1994)
Computational mathematics will focus on the application of
2
applied mathematical techniques to the solution of industrial
problems. Applications include mining and materials
processing, pollution, management of resources and the
0-
- physical and chemical processes of the engineering and
a manufacturing industries. They cover a wide range of
problems in the natural and life sciences, as wll as the rural
lD
and urban environments.
i6
Career potential
With the advances in computer technology over the last
twenty-five years, the application of mathematical and
statistical techniques has spread significantly in industry and
business. There is an increasing need for practitioners who
can apply and interpret the outcomes of mathematical and
statistical models to describe current situations and to
investigate proposed changes.
Prerequisites (entrance 1994)
Units 1 and 2: four units of mathematics. Units 3 and 4:
two units of Mathematics chosen from Space and Number,
Reasoning and Data, Change and Approximation and
Extensions (Change and Approximation). Applicants who do
not satisfy the above requirements may be considered on
the basis of factors such as employment, educational
background and in some cases, an interview.
Course structure
Full-time course
(1993 syllabus)
Year 1
Semester 1
Credit points
SM13 1 Communication Skills 7.5
SM180 Mathematics 1 12.5
SM184 Data Analysis and Probability 10.0
SQl10 Introduction to Computer Problem Solving 10.0
SQ117 Introduction to Computer Systems 10.0
Semester 2
05513 Business Studies - Accounting 7.5
SM180 Mathematics 1 7.5
SM284
Continuous Probability Distributions and
Inference 7.5
SM288 Operations Research 7.5
54204 Formal Methods 10.0
SQ210 Programming in C 10.0
Year 2
Semester 1
Three mathematics subjects each 10.0
SQ3 10 Advanced C Programming 10.0
Elective (mathematics or computer science) 10.0
Semester 2
SM404 Project Management A
Four mathematics subjects
10.0
each 10.0
Year 3
Semester 1
SM504 Project Management B
Three mathematics subjects
Complementary studies electiw
10.0
each 10.0
10.0
Semester 2
SM608 lndustry Based Learning
Year 4
50.0
Semester 1
SM708 lndustry Based Learning
Semester 2
50.0
SM604 Industrial Research Project
Four mathematics subjects
10.0
each 10.0
Note: Fmm second year onwards the actual mathematics
subjects to be taken will be selected from a range of
subjects covering mathematics, operations research, applied
statistics and in later years computational mathematics.
Details of these subjects with the exception of
computational mathematics commence on page 65 of this
Handbook. Some non-mathematics subjects may also be
available as electives.
Changes to the syllabus may be made in 1993. Details will
be available on enrolment.
Options
Students select mathematics, operations research and
statistics subjects from the following list for the applied and
industrial mathematics degree.
All ate one semester duration subjech except Mathematics 1.
Mathematics subjects
(based on a single major for the mathematics and
computer science degree)
Year 1
Credit points
SM180 Mathematics 1 12.5
Year 2
SM381 Linear Algebra and Geometry 10.0
SM480 Analysis 10.0
Year 3
SM581 Discrete Mathematics 10.0
Operations research subjects
Year 1
SM288
Operations Research: An Introduction to Problem
Solving 7.5
Year 2
SM387 An Introduction to Optimisation 10.0
SM388 An Introduction to Forecasting 10.0
5111487 Queueing Theory and Simulation 10.0
SM488 Financial Modelling 10.0
Year 3
SM587 Stochastic Models 10.0
SM588 Industrial Applications of Operations Research
10.0
SM687 Applications of Modelling 10.0
SM688 Mathematical Programming 10.0
SM689 Decision Analysis 10.0
Statistics subjects
Year 1
SM184 Data Analysis and Probability 10.0
SM284 Continuous Probability Distributions and
Inference 7.5
Year 2
SM384 Inference and Regression 10.0
SM484 Experimental Design and Multiple Regression 10.0
SM485 Distribution Theory and Estimation 10.0