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Postgraduate studies in Applied Mathematics

General information about postgraduate studies at Stellenbosch University may be found here.

MSc in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

For information regarding the MSc in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, see here.

Honours BSc in Applied Mathematics

Students who enrol for the Honours Programme in Applied Mathematics must complete a 32-credit research project, as well as six 16-credit semester modules that may be chosen freely from the list of modules below. Students may take up to a maximum of two of these six modules at other divisions or departments (see for example the postgraduate modules offered by Computer Science and Mathematics).

Contact the postgraduate coordinator of Applied Mathematics, Dr Riana Roux ([email protected]) or Prof Nick Hale ([email protected]).


Year modules

On a topic chosen by the student from a list of proposals. The project entails progress reports, a written report, an oral presentation and the preparation of a conference poster. Students meet with the coordinator from time to time to be taught generic skills and to discuss progress on the projects.

10557-772Year moduleDr Roux / Prof Hale

First semester modules

General numerical methods for solving flow equations; finite difference/volume methods; procedures for the simulation of diffusive and convective processes; boundary values; solving algorithms such as the SIMPLE range; introduction to CFX.

62820semester 1Prof Diedericks

Focus on numerical methods for matrix computations. Effective solution of square linear systems, least squares problems, the eigenvalue problem. Direct and iterative methods, special attention to sparse matrices and structured matrices. Numerical instability and ill-conditioning. Model problems from partial differential equations and image processing.

36323-776semester 1Prof Weideman

Broad introduction to graph theory. Problems such as enumeration of graphs; optimal paths in networks; optimal spanning trees; centres and medians; planarity; vertex and edge colouring; Eulerian graphs and Hamiltonicity; tournaments; domination and independence; and Ramsey theory.

10542-782semester 1Dr Roux

Differential and integral calculus of volume averages in two phase media and its use in the mathematical modelling of transport processes in porous media; the rectangular unit cell model.

62839-791semester 1Prof Diedericks

Basic grey-scale transformations and image enhancement techniques in the spatial domain; Fourier analysis in two dimensions and image enhancement techniques in the Fourier domain; image restoration; morphological filters; image compression techniques; image segmentation, representation, description and recognition.

64572-793semester 1Dr Coetzer

Second semester modules

Following up from AM244, this module goes deeper into the use of Ordinary Differential Equations and Difference Equations for modelling problems in the applied sciences. Most of such problems need to be described with nonlinear terms, making the dynamic behaviour of these models quite varied and sometimes counter-intuitive. For example, dynamics can converge to stationary points (equilibria), but also periodic or quasi-periodic (limit cycles and tori), and deterministically chaotic orbits (strange attractors). Different initial conditions of the system can lead to different types of such asymptotic behaviours. Additionally, the number and type of these attractors can change with model parameters through bifurcations. Most examples of applications will be presented in the field of biology (ecology, evolution, epidemiology), but also in environmental (exploitation of natural resources such as fish stocks) and social sciences (love dynamics)

12256-763semester 2Dr Landi

Most modelling problems lead to mathematical equations that cannot be solved explicitly. The only recourse in this case is to solve numerically, or to use analytical methods to generate approximate solutions. The latter family of methods forms the focal point of this module. The approximate solution of transcendental equations and differential equations will be discussed, as well as the asymptotic evaluation of integrals that depend on a large or small parameter. Applications include nonlinear oscillators in mechanics, boundary-layer problems in fluids, and a derivation of Stirling's approximation to the factorial function. Numerical methods will be used as a check on the accuracy of the analytical methods.

10381-781semester 2Dr Hansraj

Introduction to Markov processes and their applications for modelling randomly evolving (stochastic) systems. Theory: Markov chains in discrete and continuous time, random walks, Brownian motion, stochastic differential equations, stochastic calculus, large deviations. Applications: Word statistics, population dynamics, particle systems, diffusions, noise-perturbed dynamical systems, stochastic control, finance. The course also has practicals on simulation methods (in MATLAB or Python).

14233-783semester 2Prof Touchette

The first part of the module covers the basics of image processing, feature detection and matching, projective geometry, perspective transformations, robust model estimation with RANSAC, the pinhole camera model, and stereo vision for depth estimation. The second part focuses on deep neural networks, and specifically, convolutional neural networks, which are typically used for image classification, object detection, and image segmentation. Relevant machine learning concepts, including training by stochastic gradient descent, are also introduced.

10728-794semester 2Prof Fidder

Development of a physical understanding of the mathematical concepts associated with general and Cartesian tensor analysis; introductory differential geometry; curvilinear coordinate systems; coordinate transformations; development of a sound foundation for advanced mathematical modelling in scientific and engineering research environments.

10728-794semester 2 Prof Fidder

The module covers: basic option concepts and markets (calls, puts, payoffs, arbitrage and put-call parity), probability and simple asset price models, the Black–Scholes framework (PDE, formulas and risk-neutral valuation), option sensitivities (Greeks), numerical methods for pricing (root-finding for implied volatility, Monte Carlo simulation, binomial trees and finite difference methods), selected exotic options and discrete-time American options, and volatility estimation and variance-reduction techniques.

12257-764semester 2Prof Hale

MEng service courses

Focus on numerical methods for matrix computations. Effective solution of square linear systems, least squares problems, the eigenvalue problem. Direct and iterative methods, special attention to sparse matrices and structured matrices. Numerical instability and ill-conditioning. Model problems from partial differential equations and image processing.

36323-876Prof Hale 

MSc in Applied Mathematics

Students who enrol for the Masters Programme in Applied Mathematics must complete a thesis on the topic of their choice (within the expertise of one of the division's lecturers). The thesis is presented during an oral examination and internal as well as external examiners are appointed to assist in the examination of the thesis. The programme normally spans two academic years of full-time study.

Contact the postgraduate coordinator of Applied Mathematics (Prof Wille Brink [email protected]) for further information.

PhD in Applied Mathematics

Students who enrol for the Doctoral Programme in Applied Mathematics must complete a dissertation on the topic of their choice (within the expertise of one of the division's lecturers). Results of the dissertation must be original and must contribute to the relevant field. The dissertation is defended during a public oral examination. Internal as well as external examiners are appointed to assist in the examination of the dissertation. The programme normally spans three academic years of full-time study.

Contact the postgraduate coordinator (Prof Wille Brink [email protected]) of Applied Mathematics for further information.