51³Ô¹Ïapp
UNSW Canberra

Applied & industrial mathematics

PhD opportunities
Business School Applied Economics student working on calculations at a computer

Using maths to understand the world

Research in mathematics contributes to advances in a wide range of disciplines. From understanding how cells divide to predicting extreme weather to the development of new financial tools, many of today’s challenges are being addressed using applied and industrial mathematics. Using mathematical models and techniques, applied mathematics is used for real-world problem-solving. It can help explain observed phenomena and predict new, unobserved phenomena that may occur in the future.Ìý

In almost all industriesÌýmathematics opens the way to virtual experiments, the analysis and simulation of multiple scenarios for a given phenomenonÌýand control and optimisation. Applied mathematicians working alongside industry may develop or enhance mathematical methods to solve industrial problems. Using mathematical modelling and numerical analysis, possible solutions to these problems can be identified and tested for accuracy, validity, and reliability and interpreted in relation to the original real-world problem. By breaking down the problem into mathematical variables, organisations can optimise efficiencies, maximise profitability, improve safety outcomesÌýand reduce uncertainty.

Associated schools, institutes & centres

Impact and successful applications

We employ a vast range of mathematical and statistical techniques and computational science to investigate a diverse range of fundamental and real-world problems. The interdisciplinary nature of our work and the constraints imposed by dealing with genuine practical problems make this a challenging and rewarding area for research.Ìý

Ìý ÌýOur strengths lie in: Ìý

  • Combustion modelling:ÌýÌý
    • to better understand the complex behaviour of flame fronts, particularly at the onset of instabilities.Ìý
  • Ecological modelling:Ìý
    • statistical: modelling the survival of Little Penguins noting the impact of climate change and banding and tag recovery studies of Southern Bluefin TunaÌý
    • deterministic and stochastic: developed and analysed models for stressed ecosystems and environments with nutrient enrichment and depletion. ÌýÌý
  • Nonlinear dynamics Ìý
    • chemical and bio-reactor engineering – determine efficient operating conditions for reactors using nonlinear dynamical systems theoryÌý
    • complex warfighting – the development, simulation, and analysis of mathematical models of warfighting to provide insight into the organisational design best suited to optimise Command and Control and success in contested environments.Ìý

Competitive advantage

The quality and impact of our research is made possible by our success in obtaining competitive grants and attracting graduating HDR students. We regularly collaborate with national and international researchers who enhance our world-wide reputation. AnÌýextensive number of our publications appear in important international journals.Ìý

Research for complex warfighting is done in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DST) of Australia and is linked to the DST STaR Shots (Science, Technology and Research Shots) strategy, specifically the agile Command and Control STaR shot.Ìý

Our researchers
Senior Lecturer Zlatko Jovanoski
Zlatko Jovanoski
Senior Lecturer
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Deputy Rector Harvinder Sidhu
Harvinder Sidhu
Deputy Rector
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Deputy Head of School (Education) Leesa Sidhu
Leesa Sidhu
Deputy Head of School (Education)
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Undergraduate Coordinator Isaac Towers
Isaac Towers
Undergraduate Coordinator
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Lecturer Mathematics Simon Watt
Simon Watt
Lecturer Mathematics
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    • McRae, R.H.D., Sharples, J.J., Fromm, M. (2015).ÌýÌýNatural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 15(3), 417-428.ÌýDOI:

    • Sharples, J.J., Cary, G.J., Fox-Hughes, P., Mooney, S., Evans, J.P., Fletcher, M.S., Fromm, M., Grierson, P.F., McRae, R.H.D., Baker, P. (2016).Ìý.ÌýClimatic Change,Ìý139(1), 85-99.ÌýDOI:

    • Sharples, J. J., McRae, R., & Wilkes, S. (2012).Ìý.ÌýInternational Journal of Wildland Fire,Ìý21(3), 282-296.ÌýÌý

    • T.A. McLennan-Smith, D.O. Roberts, H.S Sidhu, ‘EmergentÌýbehaviorÌýin an adversarial synchronization and swarming model’,ÌýSubmitted to Physical Review E (2020)Ìý

    • T.A. McLennan-Smith, A.C.ÌýKalloniatis, Z. Jovanoski, H.S. Sidhu, D.O. Roberts, S. Watt, I.N. TowersÌý‘A mathematical model of humanitarian aid agencies inÌýattritionalÌýconflict environments', Submitted to Operations Research (2020)Ìý

    • Chambers MS; Sidhu LA; O'Neill B; Sibanda N, 2017, ',ÌýEcology and Evolution, vol. 7, pp. 9818 - 9844,Ìý

    • Quill R; Sharples JJ; Sidhu LA, 2020, '', EnvironmentalÌýModelingÌýand Assessment, vol. 25, pp. 231 - 250,Ìý

    • Huang Z; Sidhu HS; Towers IN; Jovanoski Z; Watt S;ÌýGubernovÌýVV, 2020, '',ÌýAppliedÌýMathematical Modelling,Ìývol. 77, pp. 1216 - 1228,Ìý

    • Sanni S; Jovanoski Z; Sidhu HS, 2020, '',ÌýOperations Research Perspectives, vol. 7,Ìý

    • Towers I;ÌýGubernovÌýV;ÌýKolobovÌýAV;ÌýPolezhaevÌýAA; Sidhu HS, 2013, '', Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series A - Mathematical and Physical Sciences, vol. 469, pp. 20130315-1 - 20130315-19,Ìý

    • Sutherland, D., Sharples, J.J. and Moinuddin, K.A., 2020.ÌýÌýInternational Journal of Wildland Fire,Ìý29(1), pp.70-80.
    • Effects of flipper bands and injected transponders on the survival of adult Little PenguinsÌý
    • Living in stressed environments: using mathematics to understand ecosystems’ dynamicsÌý
    • ComputationalÌýmathematical analysisÌýof dynamic fireÌýpropagationÌýÌý
    • Humanitarian aid agencies inÌýattritionalÌýconflict environmentsÌý
    • Students undertaking a Bachelor of Science majoring in mathematicsÌýcan undertake several courses relatedÌýto Applied and Industrial Mathematics including:ÌýÌý