Mathematics is compulsory in a number of degree programs at UNSW, including all engineering, most science and some commerce and may be taken as an elective in all science and in arts.
Whichever course you take as your first mathematics course at UNSW, it will be assumed that you already have a certain level of knowledge of mathematics. The extent of the knowledge depends on the course that you take and is specified in terms of syllabuses for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) examination in New South Wales. Details of these syllabuses are available on the website of the NSW Board of Studies, opens in a new window.
If you did not do your high school mathematics in NSW, you may need to talk to someone from Mathematics at enrolment or contact the Student Services Office of the School of Mathematics and Statistics - phone: (02) 9385 7011, email: fy.MathsStats@unsw.edu.au, opens in a new window to find out whether your level of knowledge meets the requirements.
See the UNSW web for the official list of assumed knowledge in English and mathematics, opens in a new window for programs at UNSW. In addition some mathematics courses have further assumed knowledge.
Assumed knowledge for first year maths courses
MATH1011 Fundamentals of Mathematics 1B, MATH1031 Mathematics for the Life Sciences, and MATH1041 Statistics for the Life and Social Sciences assume a level of knowledge equivalent to achieving at least a Band 4 result in HSC Mathematics. Students who have taken HSC General Mathematics, Mathematics in Society or Mathematics in Practice will not have achieved the level of knowledge which is assumed in these courses.
MATH1081 Discrete Mathematics and MATH1131 Mathematics 1A assume knowledge of HSC Mathematics Extension 1. Students will be expected to have achieved at least a result in Band E3.
MATH1141 Higher Mathematics 1A assumes knowledge of HSC Mathematics Extension 1 and Extension 2. Students will be expected to have achieved a result in Band E4 in Mathematics Extension 2.
MATH1151 Mathematics for Actuarial Studies and Finance 1A assumes knowledge of HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or preferably Extension 2. Students will be expected to have achieved a high result in Band E4 in Mathematics Extension 1 or a result in Band E4 in Mathematics Extension 2.
Bridging and preparation courses
See the bridging courses, opens in a new window page for information on what to do if you do not have the assumed knowledge.