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Programme: BScHons Applied Mathematics

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Code Faculty
02240172 Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 135 NQF level:  08

Programme information

 

    Renewal of registration

    1. Subject to exceptions approved by the Dean, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department, a student may not sit for an examination for the honours degree more than twice in the same module.
    2. A student for an honours degree must complete his or her study, in the case of full-time students, within two years and, in the case of after-hours students, within three years of first registering for the degree. Under special circumstances, the Dean, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department, may give approval for a limited extension of this period.

    In calculating marks, General Regulation G.12.2 applies.

    Apart from the prescribed coursework, a research project is an integral part of the study.

    Admission requirements

    • BSc (Mathematics), BSc (Applied Mathematics) or equivalent degree
    • At least a final grade point average of 60% at final-year level
    • The final year should include at least four of the following third-year level modules or equivalent:

    -Partial differential equations

    -Dynamical systems (ordinary differential equations)

    -Real analysis

    -Complex analysis

    -Numerical analysis

    -Continuum mechanics.

    • Complete preceding degree will be considered for selection.

    Promotion to next study year

    The progress of all honours candidates is monitored biannually by the postgraduate coordinator/head of department. A candidate’s study may be terminated if the progress is unsatisfactory or if the candidate is unable to finish his/her studies during the prescribed period.

    Pass with distinction

    The BScHons degree is awarded with distinction to a candidate who obtains a weighted average of at least 75% in all the prescribed modules and a minimum of 65% in any one module.

    Minimum credits: 135

    Additional information:

    • The programme compilation consists of seven honours modules of 15 credits each as well as the mandatory project (WTW 795 – 30 credits). 
    • It is required that students select the stream and modules according to the prerequisites of the modules.
    • WTW 795 is a compulsory module for both streams.
    • The modules to be selected for each stream, are set out below. 

    Stream 1: Applied analysis
    Core credits:         75 credits
    Elective credits:    60 credits

    Core modules: WTW 795, WTW 710, WTW 734 and WTW 776
    Elective modules: Four (4) electives must be chosen from the list below. The selection must contain at least one of WTW 782 or WTW 764 and at least one of WTW 733 or WTW 763.

    Stream 2: Differential equations and modelling
    Core credits: 135 credits

    Core modules: WTW 795, WTW 733, WTW 735, WTW 750, WTW 763, WTW 772, WTW 776 and WTW 782.

    Core modules

    • Module content:

      An introduction to the basic mathematical objects of linear functional analysis will be presented. These include metric spaces, Hilbert spaces and Banach spaces. Subspaces, linear operators and functionals will be discussed in detail. The fundamental theorems for normed spaces: The Hahn-Banach theorem, Banach-Steinhaus theorem, open mapping theorem and closed graph theorem. Hilbert space theory: Riesz' theorem, the basics of projections and orthonormal sets.

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    • Module content:

      An analysis as well as an implementation (including computer programs) of methods are covered. Numerical linear algebra: Direct and iterative methods for linear systems and matrix eigenvalue problems: Iterative methods for nonlinear systems of equations. Finite difference method for partial differential equations: Linear elliptic, parabolic, hyperbolic and eigenvalue problems. Introduction to nonlinear problems. Numerical stability, error estimates and convergence are dealt with.

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    • Module content:

      Measure and integration theory: The Caratheodory extension procedure for measures defined on a ring, measurable functions, integration with respect to a measure on a σ-ring, in particular the Lebesgue integral, convergence theorems and Fubini's theorem.
      Probability theory: Measure theoretic modelling, random variables, expectation values and independence, the Borel-Cantelli lemmas, the law of large numbers. L¹-theory, L²-theory and the geometry of Hilbert space, Fourier series and the Fourier transform as an operator on L², applications of Fourier analysis to random walks, the central limit theorem.

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    • Module content:

      Study of main principles of analysis in the context of their applications to modelling, differential equations and numerical computation. Specific principles to be considered are those related to mathematical biology, continuum mechanics and mathematical physics as presented in the modules WTW 772, WTW 787 and WTW 776, respectively.

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    • Module content:

      Classical optimisation:  Necessary and sufficient conditions for local minima.  Equality constraints and Lagrange multipliers.  Inequality constraints and the Kuhn-Tucker conditions.  Application of saddle point theorems to the solutions of the dual problem.  One-dimensional search techniques.  Gradient methods for unconstrained optimisation.  Quadratically terminating search algorithms.  The conjugate gradient method.  Fletcher-Reeves.  Second order variable metric methods:  DFP and BFCS.  Boundary following and penalty function methods for constrained problems.   Modern multiplier methods and sequential quadratic programming methods.  Practical design optimisation project.

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    • Module content:

      An analysis as well as an implementation (including computer programs) of methods is covered. Introduction to the theory of Sobolev spaces. Variational and weak formulation of elliptic, parabolic, hyperbolic and eigenvalue problems. Finite element approximation of problems in variational form, interpolation theory in Sobolev spaces, convergence and error estimates.

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    • Module content:

      This module aims at using advanced undergraduate mathematics and rigorously applying mathematical methods to concrete problems in various areas of natural science and engineering.
      The module will be taught by several lecturers from UP, industry and public sector. The content of the module may vary from year to year and is determined by relevant focus areas within the Department. The list of areas from which topics to be covered will be selected, includes: Systems of differential equations; dynamical systems; discrete structures; Fourier analysis; methods of optimisation; numerical methods; mathematical models in biology, finance, physics, etc.

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    • Module content:

      Field-theoretic and material models of mathematical physics. The Friedrichs-Sobolev spaces. Energy methods and Hilbert spaces, weak solutions – existence and uniqueness. Separation of variables, Laplace transform, eigenvalue problems and eigenfunction expansions. The regularity theorems for elliptic forms (without proofs) and their applications. Weak solutions for the heat/diffusion and related equations.

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    • Module content:

      Introduction to the general theory of dynamical systems and to the theory of dynamical systems represented via systems of ODEs. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of linear systems. Qualitative analysis of nonlinear systems: domain, invariant sets, stability of equilibria, Hartman-Grobman theorem, centre manifold theorem, Lyapunov method. Structural stability and bifurcation. Bifurcation of equilibria. Hopf bifurcation. Applications: population models, chemical reactions, circuits.

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    • Module content:

      Consult Department.

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    Elective modules

    • Module content:

      A selection of special topics will be presented that reflects the expertise of researchers in the Department. The presentation of a specific topic is contingent on student numbers. Consult the website of the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics for more details.

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    • Module content:

      An analysis as well as an implementation (including computer programs) of methods are covered. Numerical linear algebra: Direct and iterative methods for linear systems and matrix eigenvalue problems: Iterative methods for nonlinear systems of equations. Finite difference method for partial differential equations: Linear elliptic, parabolic, hyperbolic and eigenvalue problems. Introduction to nonlinear problems. Numerical stability, error estimates and convergence are dealt with.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Classical optimisation:  Necessary and sufficient conditions for local minima.  Equality constraints and Lagrange multipliers.  Inequality constraints and the Kuhn-Tucker conditions.  Application of saddle point theorems to the solutions of the dual problem.  One-dimensional search techniques.  Gradient methods for unconstrained optimisation.  Quadratically terminating search algorithms.  The conjugate gradient method.  Fletcher-Reeves.  Second order variable metric methods:  DFP and BFCS.  Boundary following and penalty function methods for constrained problems.   Modern multiplier methods and sequential quadratic programming methods.  Practical design optimisation project.

      View more

    • Module content:

      An analysis as well as an implementation (including computer programs) of methods is covered. Introduction to the theory of Sobolev spaces. Variational and weak formulation of elliptic, parabolic, hyperbolic and eigenvalue problems. Finite element approximation of problems in variational form, interpolation theory in Sobolev spaces, convergence and error estimates.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Mathematical modelling of Random walk. Conditional expectation and Martingales. Brownian motion and other Lévy processes. Stochastic integration. Ito's Lemma. Stochastic differential equations. Application to finance.

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    • Module content:

      This module aims at using advanced undergraduate mathematics and rigorously applying mathematical methods to concrete problems in various areas of natural science and engineering.
      The module will be taught by several lecturers from UP, industry and public sector. The content of the module may vary from year to year and is determined by relevant focus areas within the Department. The list of areas from which topics to be covered will be selected, includes: Systems of differential equations; dynamical systems; discrete structures; Fourier analysis; methods of optimisation; numerical methods; mathematical models in biology, finance, physics, etc.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Introduction to the general theory of dynamical systems and to the theory of dynamical systems represented via systems of ODEs. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of linear systems. Qualitative analysis of nonlinear systems: domain, invariant sets, stability of equilibria, Hartman-Grobman theorem, centre manifold theorem, Lyapunov method. Structural stability and bifurcation. Bifurcation of equilibria. Hopf bifurcation. Applications: population models, chemical reactions, circuits.

      View more


    The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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