MATH faculty package courses for non-MATH Science Faculty students 2025-26
Last updated: July 2025
The information on this page is intended for Broadbase Science students who do not plan to graduate in the MATH programme.
If you intend to graduate in the MATH programme, go to some other page which is relevant to you.
- General advice to all students.
Check the study scheme of your preferred programme before deciding which of these courses you are going to take.
Different programmes offered by the Science Faculty may have different specifications, or recommendations, on
- whether you need to take any MATH faculty package course, or
- which course to take, or
- when to take such a course,
in order to fulfil the programme-specific requirements.
If you are unsure, ask the department which offers your preferred programme.
- Faculty Package courses suitable for non-MATH students.
The faculty package courses offered by the Department of Mathematics which are suitable for non-MATH students are listed below:---
Course code. Course title Purpose and objective. Presumed background. MATH1010 University Mathematics Intended for students who need to acquire the knowledge and skills of one-variable calculus at a general level for the studies in mathematics, science, engineering and other areas. - Suitable for students with a satisfactory background in elementary algebra and geometry.
- Prior exposure to calculus (e.g. the ideas of limits and differentiation) at high school level (e.g. HKDSE Module 1 or Module 2) is preferred, but not necessary.
MATH1030 Linear Algebra I Intended for students who need to acquire the knowledge and skills of linear algebra. - Suitable for students with a satisfactory background in elementary algebra and geometry.
- Prior exposure to advanced topics in algebra and geometry (e.g. vectors and matrices, systems of linear equations, coordinate geometry in space) at high school level (e.g. HKDSE Module 1 or Module 2) is preferred, but not necessary.
MATH1520 University Mathematics for Applications Intended for students who need to acquire the knowledge and skills of one-variable calculus at a general level for the studies in science, technology and other areas - Suitable for students with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding in algebra and geometry (e.g. Level 5 or above in HKDSE Mathematics Compulsory Part).
- Prior exposure to calculus is not assumed.
MATH1525 Basic Mathematics for Science and Technology Intended as a continuation of the HKDSE Mathematics (Compulsory Part) or equivalent, to give students who intend to study general science subjects a solid foundation for the use of basic mathematics in various disciplines in physical science, life science and statistics, and for the study of the applications of calculus and linear algebra in science and technology. - Suitable for students who have only a basic knowledge and understanding in high school mathematics.
MATH1550 Methods of Matrices and Linear Algebra Intended as an introduction to elementary linear algebra through a matrix oriented approach, as befit the needs in Statistics, Economics, Business, Life Sciences and Social Sciences. - Suitable for students with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding in algebra (e.g. Level 5 or above in HKDSE Mathematics Compulsory Part).
- Prior exposure to advanced topics in algebra and geometry at high school level (e.g. HKDSE Module 1 or Module 2) is not assumed.
Although MATH1018, MATH1038 are also listed as faculty package courses, they are intended for MATH students. Non-MATH students may find these courses unsuitable for their needs.
- Pattern of course offering in 2025-26.
The pattern of course offering in 2025-26, for students inclined to non-MATH progammes, is given in this table:
Course First Semester Second Semester Summer Semester MATH1010 Sections A-G Sections H-J Section K MATH1030 Sections A-D Sections E-H Section I MATH1520 Sections A,B Section C Not offered. MATH1525 Section A Section B Not offered. MATH1550 One section offered. Not offered. Not offered. Note. Various numbers of places in the classes are reserved (or prioritized) for non-Science Faculty students. For the exact number of places in each class open to Science Faculty students during the course registration period, refer to the CUSIS.
- Towards a minor degree in MATH? Or a second major in MATH?
Students interested in graduating with a second major in MATH may regard MATH1010 and MATH1030 as the starting point: every subsequent course which you need to take for completion of the second major in MATH will presume these two courses.
Students interested in graduating in the MATH minor programme may regard any one of MATH1010, MATH1030, MATH1520, MATH1525, MATH1550 as the starting point.
For more information on the MATH programme (whether minor or major), refer to the study scheme in the CUSIS.
Below are links to information that may be useful as quick reference (though not necessarily most updated):---