Department of Mathematical Sciences & Computing
Mathematical Sciences and Computing form the cornerstone of modern science as it is concerned with the solution of real-world problems.
Consistent with this philosophy, the programmes offered in the Department are designed to provide the necessary foundation for the students.
The Department strives to improve its leadership role in the training of students in Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science so that they contribute to the development of the country.
It promotes excellence in appropriate research and offers career-orientated degree programmes. In addition, the Department also offers service courses to other departments.
Department's Programmes
The Department offers a general Bachelor of Science degree under various streams: Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science.
Corresponding postgraduate programmes are also offered in the department.
Vision of the Department
The Department of Mathematical Sciences and Computing will be a leading department that offers innovative educational and research programmes in mathematical sciences and computing.
In pursuit of its vision, the Department will:
- provide a modern educational environment supported by appropriate technology for instruction and research design innovative programmes in teaching and research that will produce highly skilled graduates who have a caring approach to teaching,
- create an environment to engage in solving real-world problems and societal challenges.
Admission Rules
- Meeting the minimum requirements for admission to the programme.
- Selection into the programme, (selection is limited by enrolment limits).
- Admission is on a first come first served basis for students who qualify in terms of selection criteria.
BSc (3-year programmes)
Admission Requirements
- Senior Certificate with Matriculation, Conditional or Mature Age Exemption if the applicant is 23 years old on the year of registration with SG (D) or HG (E) in Mathematics, Physical Science, and English.
- Using the new National Senior Certificate, the certificate should indicate “qualified for degree” and include a minimum achievement rating of 4 (50%) in English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
Curriculum
For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.
BSc (4-year Extended Curriculum Programmes)
Admission Requirements
- For the Extended Curriculum Programmes, we require that the National Senior Certificate, certificate indicates “qualified for degree” and includes a minimum achievement rating of at least 3 in English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, with at least a 4 in one of them.
Admission Rules
Admission into the programme is contingent upon:
- Meeting the minimum requirements for admission to the programme.
- Selection into the programme,(selection is limited by enrolment limits).
- Admission is on a first come first served basis for students who qualify in terms of selection criteria.
- See also General Prospectus Rules.
Curriculum
For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (WS5673)
Mathematics is a scarce skill in South Africa and is crucial to the scientific and technological development that leads to the economic development of the country.
In view of this, the long term plan of the Department envisages the establishment of a linkage between the department and industry and commerce.
Career Opportunities
A Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics will prepare the student for jobs in:
- Statistics, actuarial sciences, mathematical modelling, and cryptography
- Teaching
- Postgraduate training leading to a research career in mathematics.
- A strong background in Mathematics is also necessary for research in many areas of computer science, social science, and engineering
Purpose of Qualification
To provide basic mathematical knowledge needed for placement in jobs requiring a significant amount of mathematical maturity, and for further training at a higher level in various specialisations of Mathematics.
Curriculum
For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.
Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics (Extended Programme) (WS5618)
Admission Requirements
The first 2 years of the BSc Applied Mathematics (Extended Programme) are equivalent to the first year of the BSc Applied Mathematics programme.
In the last two years of the BSc Applied Mathematics (Extended Programme) the students follow the BSc Applied Mathematics programme from Level II.
Curriculum
For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus
Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistical Science (Extended Programme) (WS5617)
The first 2 years of the BSc Statistical Science (ECP) are equivalent to the first year of the regular BSc Statistical Science programme.
In the last two years of the BSc Statistical Science (Extended Programme) the students follow the BSc Statistical Science programme from Level II.
Curriculum
For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.
Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics (Extended Programme) (WS5619)
Admission Requirements
- The first 2 years of the BSc Applied Mathematics (Extended Programme) are equivalent to the first year of the BSc Applied Mathematics programme.
- In the last two years of the BSc Applied Mathematics (Extended Programme) the students follow the BSc Applied Mathematics programme from Level II.
Curriculum
For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.
Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistical Science (WS5672)
Statistics is an important area of study and is needed in various sectors of government and industry and commerce.
In view of this, the long term plan of the department envisages the establishment of a linkage between the department and industry and commerce.
Career Opportunities
A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Applied Statistical Science will prepare the student for jobs in many different sectors of the economy including Agriculture, Banking, Economic Planning, Education, Engineering, Forestry, Health Research, Insurance, Manufacturing, Market Research, Monitoring & Evaluation, Scientific Research, Social Research, Transport.
Purpose of Qualification
To provide basic statistical knowledge in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics and statistics with an inclination towards application in the solution of technical problems in the marketplace, and for further training at a higher level in various specialisations needing a sound foundation in statistical Sciences.
Curriculum
For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.
Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics (WS5674)
Applied Mathematics is a scarce skill in South Africa and is crucial to the scientific and technological development that leads to the economic development of the country.
In view of this, the long term plan of the department envisages the establishment of a linkage between the department, industry and commerce.
Career Opportunities
- A Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics will prepare the student for jobs in statistics, actuarial sciences, mathematical modelling, cryptography, teaching, as well as postgraduate training leading to a research career in the discipline of Mathematical Sciences.
- A strong background in Applied Mathematics is also necessary for research in many areas of computer science, social science, and engineering.
Purpose of Qualification
To provide basic mathematical knowledge tailored for application in the solution of technical problems in the marketplace, and for further training at a higher level in various specialisations of Mathematical Sciences.
Curriculum
For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (WS5675)
Computer Science is a field that is alive, exciting and full of opportunities and is changing people’s lives like never seen before.
The programme is aimed at providing a solid grounding in computer science concepts and knowledge towards further training to become computer scientists.
It is designed to be relevant to the socio-economic needs of the region and the continent in general and to produce graduates who are required locally, nationally, and internationally in the scientific, business and computing industries.
Career Opportunities
- Computer scientists devise new ways to use computers.
- Progress in the Computer Science areas of networking, database, and human-computer-interface enabled the development of the World Wide Web.
- Now Computer Science researchers are working with scientists from other fields to make robots become practical and intelligent aides, to use databases to create new knowledge, and to use computers to help decipher the secrets of our DNA.
- They develop effective ways to solve computing problems. For example, computer scientists develop the best possible ways to store information in databases, send data over networks, and display complex images.
- Their theoretical background allows them to determine the best performance possible, and their study of algorithms helps them to develop new approaches that provide better performance.
- Computer science spans the range from theory to programming.
- While other disciplines may produce graduates with more immediately relevant job-related skills, computer science offers a comprehensive foundation that permits graduates to adapt to new technologies and new ideas.
Curriculum
For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Extended Programme) (WS5683)
Extended curriculum programmes lead to the same qualifications as the mainstream programmes.
Extended curriculum programmes have been developed for all undergraduate programmes in the department to enhance student development and to improve the chances of successfully completing the degree.
In the extended curriculum programme, the first-year curriculum is extended over two years with additional academic support and tuition.
Because the extended curriculum programmes lead to the same qualifications the job opportunities are exactly the same as all the corresponding diploma and degree programmes listed in this prospectus.
Admission Requirements
As for the 3-year programme.
Curriculum
For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.
POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
The postgraduate programmes in the department are designed to provide basic knowledge needed for placement in jobs requiring a significant amount of maturity in mathematical sciences and/or computing, and for further training at a higher level in various relevant specialisations.
The skills imparted through programmes offered in the Department are scarce skills in South Africa and crucial for the scientific and technological development that leads to the economic development of the country.
In view of this, the long-term plan of the department envisages the establishment of a linkage between the department, industry and commerce.
After the successful completion of the programme, the student will be able to utilise the acquired skills in various disciplines mentioned above.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Bachelor of Science Honours
- An average of 60% in the relevant undergraduate Courses for the discipline.
Bachelor of Science Honours (Mathematics): BSM
- The programme requires that a student does FOUR courses from the list in the table below and a Compulsory Research Project.
- However, a student who chooses MAT4101 may not choose either MAT4105 or MAT4107.
- The required minimum total credits are 120.
Bachelor of Science Honours in Computer Science (WS5671)
- The Computer Science programme provides students with the advanced skills needed for careers involving the design, configuration, and implementation of computer systems and software.
- Topics studied during the programme include algorithms, artificial intelligence, computer networks, databases, Advanced Enterprise Java Programming and Web Computing.
- Students who successfully complete an extra Honours year can use their enhanced skills to pursue more interesting research and development positions in the ICT industry.
- An Honours degree also naturally leads to further study for a research higher degree at Masters or Doctorate level.
- The Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) programme is taken over one full-time year or two part-time years.
- Entry to the honours programme is possible for graduates of other cognate disciplines.
- Enquiries regarding admission should be directed to the Head of Department.
- This one-year programme is normally undertaken by students with an excellent academic record in the Bachelor of Computer Science degree who wish to broaden their knowledge as further preparation for professional practice or to meet the requirements for admission to a research degree.
- Students enrolled in the programme are required to complete a project and directed electives in computer science.
- By the end of the programme learners should be able to:
-
- Create complex software applications and perform detailed systems analysis.
- Perform basic research with minimal assistance.
- Computer Science Honours is a one-year 120 credit programme made up of six 15-credit coursework Courses and an individual, supervised project worth 30 credits.
- At the discretion of the HOD, two of the coursework Courses may be external to Computer Science Courses.
Curriculum
For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.
Masters Programmes
Master of Science
Admission Requirements
- A good BSc Honours degree in a relevant discipline. The Department may put additional requirements. (Currently on MSc in Mathematics active.)
Programmes
| Programmes |
Duration |
Duration Part-time |
| Master of Science in Mathematics (WS5685) | 2 years | 4 years |