School of Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science

Welcome to the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science

The school is one of five Schools in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science. It is located predominantly on the Pietermaritzburg, Westville and Howard College campuses. It houses approximately 900 undergraduate students; and boasts a postgraduate complement in excess of 210, engaged in Honours, Masters, PhD and Postdoctoral research.
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2025 STEM MentHER programme

STEM MentHER UKZN invites educators and principals to nominate deserving Grade 12 female learners to join the 2025 programme.  Successful learners receive expert mentorship from UKZN academics and join tailored programmes to support their transition to university.
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Understanding Why Students Struggle with Maths

‘In the realm of first-year university mathematics, students often face challenges in applying critical evaluation and analysis skills to solve mathematical problems,’ says newly capped applied mathematician, Dr Mthobisi Ntuli. ‘Despite the significance of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in problem-solving, there is a gap in understanding how to develop...
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Deep Learning Used to Discover Brain Tumours and Predict Survival

Dr Tirivangani Magadza graduated from the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, where his research focused on how deep learning helps detect brain tumours from MRI scans and predict patient survival rates. Deep learning, a branch of artificial intelligence (AI), enables computers to analyse large amounts of data from...
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Pure Mathematician Aims to Inspire Young Women

Dr Gugulethu Nogwebela has earned a PhD in Mathematics from UKZN for her dissertation titled: “Compactifications of Frames with a Zero-dimensional Remainder”. She was supervised by Dr Simo Mthethwa. ‘Initially, I was drawn to UKZN because it was close to home and after recovering from a period of deep depression...
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Risk Determinants of Lung Function in Young Children Explored by Data Scientist

On top of earning his Master of Science in Data Science degree, Mr Phelelani Siboniso “PS” Ndlovu is the joint winner of the FNB Data Science Master's Award for the best Master's in Data Science student for 2023 at UKZN. Ndlovu’s dissertation, supervised by Dr Danielle Roberts, focused on predictive...
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Dean & Head of School

Prof Serestina Viriri

PA/Secretary:
Ms Victress Nkone
Nkonev@ukzn.ac.za
031 260 7233

The  School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science is one of five Schools in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science. The School’s competent cohort of lecturers ensure that students emerge highly employable, with a rich university experience and a comprehensive, first-class Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree to their name.

The School offers is comprised of three disciplines, which provide students with access to numerous career opportunities.

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