Most careers need some sort of mathematical skill, especially those in Science and Engineering but even extending into Medicine and Law. Have you ever sat in a high school maths class and thought "What's the point?" Well at UNSW we aim to make maths more relevant and interesting and will supply you with the analytical skills necessary in the workforce.

Compared to maths at school, university mathematics is more directed towards definite problems, both real-world and abstract ones. It also uses computers with the latest mathematical software, to extend the range of solvable problems well beyond what is possible with pencil and paper and calculators (such as plotting functions like the one on the right).

Our usual core classes of Algebra and Calculus are still running. But you also have the option of taking Discrete Maths, our Modelling Real-world Phenomena course, or a Statistics for Life and Social Sciences course which has proved popular as a single-course option (see below for more on these courses).

The core (6 hours per week of lessons, in each session) can be studied at three levels: Higher (MATH1141 in first session, MATH1241 in second session) for those with good HSC results looking for a challenge, ordinary ( MATH1131 and MATH1231) for other students in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, and similar areas, or General (MATH1011 and MATH1021), for anyone who simply needs some basic maths in their degree. There are specialised pairs of core subjects for life and social sciences (MATH1031 and MATH1041) and actuarial studies and finance (MATH1151 and MATH1251).

Each of these courses runs for one session (half-year). It has four hours a week of lectures in large classes, which present the basic material. There are also two hours a week of tutorials in small classes, where problems illustrating the theory are done, and students ask the tutor questions. First-year teaching is done by both leading mathematicians and specialist first-year teachers.

The content of the core courses is about half calculus and half algebra. The calculus is similar to school work, but extends it to both more realistic applications and more depth of understanding. Algebra is more different from school work, dealing with large systems of simultaneous equations and the vectors that form the language used in the mathematical treatment of all modern disciplines from engineering to economics.

For those who want or need to study mathematics beyond the core, Discrete Mathematics is very worthwhile. UNSW has been a leader in providing this contemporary branch of mathematics at first-year level. Discrete mathematics is the mathematics especially relevant to computer science - algorithms, proofs, combinatorics, graph theory, for example. It is thus compulsory for Computer Science and Engineering students, and for Maths Majors (students who will specialise in mathematics). (And a similar course is compulsory for Electrical Engineering). For others, it is an attractive and relevant option. Part of the course uses the textbook “Proof in Mathematics: An Introduction”, specially written at UNSW.

Advanced Science students also have the option of Modelling Real World Phenomena. Students research in teams on a project that directly models the mathematical structure of some aspect of the real world, such as financial data or weather systems. Questions you may look at include `What effect does increasing the Harbour Bridge tolls have on traffic flow?' and `Why does weather move east?'

Students outside mathematics who are looking for a single widely useful mathematics course should consider Statistics for Life and Social Sciences. Statistics is about describing data, producing data and drawing appropriate conclusions from data. An understanding of statistics is vital for all the sciences. This course does not require a high level of mathematics; rather the emphasis is on the quite sophisticated concepts involved in drawing samples from populations, testing hypotheses, and in making estimations. The course uses Excel, the package standard in business applications.

Special needs are catered for in many ways. There is a talented students program that involves accelerated progress and extra contact with leading mathematicians. For students who lack the assumed knowledge for courses, there is a bridging course in late January through February to bring students from a HSC "Mathematics" level up to HSC "Mathematics Extension 1" level or for those who do not have this background and need to get to HSC "Mathematics" level there is a Mathematics Skills Program run during session. For those who have difficulties keeping up with work during the year, there are extra voluntary tutorials and the Maths Student Support Scheme, a scheme where first-year students consult higher-year students at a drop-in centre. Certain courses are also available in Summer Session so that students who start in mid-year or who fail a course can complete their degrees in minimum time.

The Maths student society, Mathsoc, is currently not active. In the past the Society has held events such as barbeques and careers forums to help you get to know other students and find out what careers are available. If you are interested in re establishing the MATHSOc please contact Julie Hebblewhite, Student Affairs Manger, ph: 9385-7053 or e:mail j.hebblewhite@unsw.edu.au

With first year over, it's time to look at second year and beyond, where specialised courses lead to the coalface of real research mathematics.