Graduate Diploma of Mathematics

What is this course about?

CSU's Graduate Diploma of Mathematics provides mathematical training for people who do not have a university background in mathematics. Graduates in other disciplines who need to know and use mathematics in order to progress in their careers will also find the course meets their needs.

CSU's Graduate Diploma of Mathematics includes topics in algebra and calculus that every advanced user of mathematics needs to know. It will supplement the knowledge and skills base of the graduate who has found that their previous mathematical training is now limiting. It can provide a flexible, tailored program of study to meet the varied need of graduates in fields such as secondary education, technical, research and extension work. 

Workplace learning

Those students undertaking the teaching stream will need to complete a Curriculum Methods subject, where they will prepare assessments that are directly relevant to mathematics teaching. Students must also complete a Professional Experience subject, where they must demonstrate their competence by completing a 25-day mathematics teaching professional experience in a secondary school.

Students with current mathematics teaching experience may apply for an exemption from the Professional Experience component of the course.

Professional recognition

A secondary teacher who has completed the teaching stream of this course will have met the minimum eligibility requirements for accreditation to teach mathematics as a second discipline in a NSW secondary school.

Flexible study options

Subjects are taught using a range of blended learning techniques. These include distance education study materials, video-captured lectures, online meetings, subject forums and additional online subject resources. The flexible learning environment allows students to study this course by distance education from anywhere in the world. In the mathematics subjects, students are introduced to a mathematical computer software program, Maple, and are encouraged to apply this when solving more advanced problems.

As with all CSU's courses, the Graduate Diploma of Mathematics and Graduate Certificate in Mathematics are designed and delivered with study flexibility in mind. Our students choose between full-time and part-time study options to fit in with work and lifestyle commitments. You could choose to study just one subject in an academic session or, with approval, fast-track degree completion by undertaking two or more subjects per session.

This course is offered across a two-session academic year with sessions commencing in February and July each year. The Graduate Diploma of Mathematics has a minimum full-time duration of four sessions, however actual duration is dependent on subject availability and the session of commencement.

Course structure

The Graduate Certificate in Mathematics consists of four subjects including two core subjects and two restricted electives (from a choice of 10).

The Graduate Diploma in Mathematics consists of eight subjects including two core subjects, with either a teaching stream or a quantitative stream.

More information about the course structure

Graduation requirements

The Graduate Diploma and the Graduate Certificate make up an articulated set of courses, and credit is awarded in the Graduate Diploma for subjects completed in the Graduate Certificate.

Students may elect to exit the Graduate Diploma after completion of four specified subjects and graduate with the Graduate Certificate in mathematics.

To graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Mathematics, students must satisfactorily complete 32 points (four subjects).

To graduate with the Graduate Diploma of Mathematics, students must satisfactorily complete 64 points (eight subjects).

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Credit / pathways

Graduate Certificate in Mathematics

No special arrangements apply.

Graduate Diploma of Mathematics

For those students who are studying the course to retrain as secondary mathematics teachers, and completing the Teaching stream, credit may be given for two subjects studied in their initial teaching qualification.

Candidates may receive transfer credit for up to 50% of the course for prior study if they can demonstrate that such study was completed at a recognised higher education institution within the last 10 years, at the postgraduate level. To apply for credit candidates are required to submit, with their application for admission, a certified transcript of results and subject outline / curriculum of those subjects.

More information about credit and pathways.

Admission requirements

Applicants for either the Graduate Diploma of Mathematics or Graduate Certificate in Mathematics must have one of the following:

• an undergraduate degree
• a relevant, academically oriented TAFE qualification
• a teaching qualification
• a minimum of one year of employment in a scientific or quantitative environment.

This course is designed for students who do not have a prior qualification in mathematics.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

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