MTH3241 Random processes in the sciences and engineering
Faculty of Science
MTH3241 Random processes in the sciences and engineering is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 2 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 1 other task
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before MTH3241
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After MTH3241
2 units list MTH3241 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
PREREQUISITE: You must have passed one unit from MTH2010 or MTH2015 or MTH2019 or MTH2040 or ENG2005 or ETC2520 and one unit from MTH2222 or ETC2520, or be enrolled in the Master of Mathematics or the Master of Financial Mathematics.
Overview
This unit introduces the methods of stochastic processes and statistics used in the analysis of biological data, physics, economics and engineering. At the completion of the unit you will understand the application of classical techniques, such as Poisson processes, Markov chains, hidden Markov chains, random walks, martingale theory, birth and death processes, and branching processes in the analysis of DNA sequences, population genetics, dynamics of populations, telecommunications and economic analysis.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Continuous assessmentDemonstration50%
- Final assessment - Exam (3 hours and 10 minutes)Examination50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Understand the idea of random variables varying with time;
- 2
Analyse Markov chains at the elementary level, in discrete and continuous time;
- 3
Understand key processes in probability, including the Poisson process, birth process, birth and death process, branching processes, random walks, martingales;
- 4
Apply the probability processes to practical situations, including queues, epidemics, servicing machines, networks, financial markets and insurance risk.
Workload and teaching
- Seminars36 hours
- Applied sessions22 hours
- Three 1-hour seminars;
- One 2-hour applied class (in weeks 2-12) and
- 7 hours of independent study per week.
Learning resources
Required resources
Dimitri P. Bertsekas and John N. Tsitsiklis, Introduction to Probability, Athena Scientific, 2002.
Gregory F. Lawler, Introduction to Stochastic processes, Second Edition, Chapman and Hall, 2006.
Henry C. Tuckwell, Elementary Applications of Probability Theory, Chapman and Hall, 1988.
Howard M. Taylor and Samuel Karlin, An Introduction to Stochastic Modeling, Academic Press, 1984.
Peter Guttorp, Stochastic Modeling of Scientific Data, Chapman & Hall, 1995.
Sheldon M. Ross, Introduction to Probability Models, Academic Press, 2007.
Where it fits
MTH3241 is part of 7 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
- APPLMTH07Additional extended major elective unitApplied mathematicsNo reviews yet
- FININMAT04Level 2 and 3 core unitsFinancial and insurance mathematicsNo reviews yet
- MTHSTAT05Level 3 unitsMathematical statisticsNo reviews yet
- MTHSTAT07Level 2 and 3 unitsMathematical statisticsNo reviews yet
- MATHS09Mathematics elective unitsMathematicsNo reviews yet
- MATHS11Mathematics elective unitsMathematicsNo reviews yet
- MATPURE11Pure mathematics elective unitsPure mathematicsNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Kais Hamza
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Kais Hamza
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for MTH3241?
MTH3241 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after MTH3241?
MTH3241 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including MTH5220 and MTH5230.
When is MTH3241 offered?
In 2025, MTH3241 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does MTH3241 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.
Which majors and minors include MTH3241?
MTH3241 is part of Applied mathematics; Financial and insurance mathematics; Mathematical statistics; Mathematics; and Pure mathematics.