Mathematics and Physics

The Department of Mathematics and Physics is the home at CPUT of two STEM disciplines: mathematical sciences (including mathematics and statistics) and physics. This means that the department makes an important contribution to CPUT's institutional vision and mission and South Africa's economic development strategy. We are a large department with more than 40 full-time and part-time staff.

The department offers a Diploma in Mathematical Sciences (NQF level 6) and an Advanced Diploma in Mathematical Sciences (NQF level 7). The Diploma is a three-year programme (with an Extended qualification offered over four years). The Advanced Diploma can be studied full-time over one year or part-time over two years. These qualifications focus mainly on mathematics, statistics, programming, and elective subjects where quantitative methods can be applied to solve problems in business or science. Our graduates are equipped with a sound theoretical background, analytical problem-solving skills, and experience applying these in real-world contexts through the programme's Work Integrated Learning component. Our graduates' career paths include Data Scientist, Data Analyst, and Mathematics Teacher. The department plans to introduce postgraduate qualifications in the near future, as well as an undergraduate Physics qualification.

Besides our in-house Mathematical Sciences qualifications, the Department of Mathematics and Physics is responsible for teaching mathematics, statistics, physics, and other subjects to students with over 40 qualifications across 15 other academic departments at CPUT. Between the subjects we teach in our department and service to other departments, our department directly interacts with over 3000 distinct students per academic year. We strive to offer an excellent learning and teaching experience to every one of them.