BCom (Mathematical Sciences)
About the programme
Suppose you are interested in becoming a financial risk manager or portfolio manager, or wish to acquire the abilities necessary to find quantitative solutions to management problems. Then you should register for this programme.
Programme content
The BCom (Mathematical Sciences) has a sharp focus on Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, both of which are compulsory till the second year. In the third year you must include at least one of the following subjects:
- Financial Risk Management
- Mathematical Statistics
- Operations Research
The subject combination or focal area (recommended subject combination) that you choose will largely determine your eventual career. You can find the curricula of the broad programme and its various focal areas in our Calendar on page 52.
Career opportunities for various focal areas
See below for more on the focal areas that this programme offers and the different lines of work for which they prepare you.
Data Science
Data analysis is essential in almost all environments. A data scientist analyses data to answer decision-making questions. A data scientist must therefore have the skills to gather and store data, transform and graphically represent it and ask relevant questions. Large organisations employ data scientists as statisticians, data analysts, data managers and statistical analysts in, for example, marketing, information and management positions. In this capacity, they form part of the exciting management and decision-making processes. If you have this training, you can negotiate exciting and well-paid career opportunities for yourself.
Financial Risk Management
Large financial institutions employ people with training in Financial Risk Management, Mathematical Statistics and Financial Mathematics as quantitative financial analysts. Among the latter are financial risk managers, portfolio managers and dealers in financial instruments. This focal area gives students the necessary background for building a stimulating and financially rewarding career in the financial sector.
Operations Research
In Operations Research, you learn a systematic and rational (scientific) approach towards calculating the best (optimal) answers in situations with high complexity or uncertainty or both, and where the possible outcomes are in conflict. The operational researcher’s approach to problem-solving includes searching for mathematical models that offer an optimal answer for different situations. This focal area provides powerful tools for solving real, practical management problems that organisations face.
Our former students work for banks and insurance companies (such as ABSA or Sanlam), at production plants (such as factories, sawmills or depots), at chain stores (such as PEP Stores, Checkers or Woolworths), at government departments and parastatals (such as the Dept. of Water Affairs and Forestry, or members of the Transnet group), at research institutions (such as the CSIR) or as private consultants.
About the programme
Suppose you are interested in becoming a financial risk manager or portfolio manager, or wish to acquire the abilities necessary to find quantitative solutions to management problems. Then you should register for this programme.
Programme content
The BCom (Mathematical Sciences) has a sharp focus on Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, both of which are compulsory till the second year. In the third year you must include at least one of the following subjects:
- Financial Risk Management
- Mathematical Statistics
- Operations Research
The subject combination or focal area (recommended subject combination) that you choose will largely determine your eventual career. You can find the curricula of the broad programme and its various focal areas in our Calendar on page 52.
Career opportunities for various focal areas
See below for more on the focal areas that this programme offers and the different lines of work for which they prepare you.
Data Science
Data analysis is essential in almost all environments. A data scientist analyses data to answer decision-making questions. A data scientist must therefore have the skills to gather and store data, transform and graphically represent it and ask relevant questions. Large organisations employ data scientists as statisticians, data analysts, data managers and statistical analysts in, for example, marketing, information and management positions. In this capacity, they form part of the exciting management and decision-making processes. If you have this training, you can negotiate exciting and well-paid career opportunities for yourself.
Financial Risk Management
Large financial institutions employ people with training in Financial Risk Management, Mathematical Statistics and Financial Mathematics as quantitative financial analysts. Among the latter are financial risk managers, portfolio managers and dealers in financial instruments. This focal area gives students the necessary background for building a stimulating and financially rewarding career in the financial sector.
Operations Research
In Operations Research, you learn a systematic and rational (scientific) approach towards calculating the best (optimal) answers in situations with high complexity or uncertainty or both, and where the possible outcomes are in conflict. The operational researcher’s approach to problem-solving includes searching for mathematical models that offer an optimal answer for different situations. This focal area provides powerful tools for solving real, practical management problems that organisations face.
Our former students work for banks and insurance companies (such as ABSA or Sanlam), at production plants (such as factories, sawmills or depots), at chain stores (such as PEP Stores, Checkers or Woolworths), at government departments and parastatals (such as the Dept. of Water Affairs and Forestry, or members of the Transnet group), at research institutions (such as the CSIR) or as private consultants.