Letter from the Chair

Welcome

Today more than ever mathematics is taking a leading role in shaping our rapidly changing, highly technological world. Mathematicians are joining hands with scientists from other disciplines to solve many pressing problems in medicine, ecology, economics, business, and social sciences. Mathematics can help you become one of these problem solvers.

Many students have not yet formed specific career goals and want a broad-based education that will provide flexibility in their future choices. For such a student a major or minor in mathematics at a liberal arts school like UNC Asheville is an excellent option. Mathematics is fundamental to many disciplines and an important part of a liberal arts education. It is highly respected for developing skills which are increasingly vital to modern professions; skills such as analytical thinking, data analysis, mathematical modeling, pattern recognition, and problem solving. Choosing mathematics will keep many career possibilities open. It will give you an invaluable education for whichever profession you eventually choose. In this modern ever-changing world the ability to think in quantitative terms, to reason analytically, and to understand and communicate mathematical ideas will be essential for your success.

The Mathematics Department at UNC Asheville prides itself in the diversity of its curriculum. We offer four concentrations: pure mathematics, applied mathematics, teaching of mathematics, and statistics. Students are encouraged to pursue a broad educational experience while participating in our program. Our classes are small and are taught by professional instructors. In our program you can expect personalized attention. The professors have an open-door policy, and students are free to meet with a professor whenever he/she is available. We hope to foster the type of atmosphere that will make your educational experience most rewarding.

Our department is located on the third floor of the science building, Robinson Hall. The Mathematics Assistance Center (Parsons Math Lab) has large windows overlooking the campus quadrangle. This is arguably one of the most pleasant places to work on this campus. All faculty are equipped with computers which are connected to the internet. Students have access to the internet and mathematics software through the machines located in our computer classroom in Carmichael 132, and through other computer laboratories on campus.

I hope that this handbook will provide you with the necessary information concerning your program of study in mathematics. Additional information about the Mathematics Department and the university are provided in the university's catalog and on the internet.  If you have any questions concerning mathematics at UNCA, please feel free to contact me at my office phone number 232-5187 or my e-mail address at dpeifer@unca.edu. The department phone number is (828) 251-6556.

David Peifer, Chair
Mathematics Department