Mathematics is one of the great unifying themes in our modern culture. It is a language, a science, an art form and a tool of tremendous power. Today every educated person needs at least a familiarity with the language of mathematics to understand the growth of technology in almost every aspect of our society. The Department of Mathematics seeks to introduce students to this vast area of knowledge and assist its students to develop   

• understanding of concepts, structure and style of mathematics;
• the ability to reason deductively and inductively; and
• facility with the applications of mathematics.

The Department of Mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers undergraduate math majors leading to the B.S. and B.A. degrees, as well as a minor in mathematics. While excessive specialization at the undergraduate level is not encouraged, students may choose their upper-division mathematics electives to emphasize statistics, applied mathematics or pure mathematics.

The B.A. and B.S. degrees consist of a minimum of 34 and 40 semester hours of approved mathematics courses, respectively. Both programs require the following core courses:

MATH 1241, 1242, 2241, 2242
Four semesters of Calculus
MATH 2171
Differential Equations
MATH 2164
Matrices and Linear Algebra
MATH 3163
Introduction to Modern Algebra

In addition, students in the B.A. Degree program choose at least four course at the upper level (3000 level or above), students in the B.S. degree program choose at least six courses at the upper level, which must include 3141, 3142 and one course from among MATH3123, 4163, 4164, 4181 and 5143. The following is a partial list of the courses, each offered on a regular basis:
 Graph Theory, Probability and Statistics I & II, Advanced Calculus of One Variable, Advanced Calculus of Several Variables, Introduction to Complex Analysis, Combinatorics, Applied Mathematics, Numerical Analysis, Fundamental Concepts of Geometry, and History of Mathematical Thought.

Both programs require one course in computer science (ITCS 1214 or ITCS1212).

Both programs require completion of 18 hours of non-math related work that may be satisfied by an approved minor such as in computer science. Finally, both programs require students to attend the Mathematical Awareness Seminar (MATH 3688) in their junior year and to complete a one-credit-hour project (MATH 3689) in their senior year. Mathematics majors are strongly encouraged to take courses in mathematics and computer science beyond the minimal requirements for the degree.

Minor

A minor in mathematics requires 18 semester hours including MATH 1241, 1242, and one of 2164 or 2171; one course chosen from MATH 2241, 2242, 2164, 2171, STAT 2122, OPRS 2111, or any three-hour MATH, STAT, or OPRS course numbered 3000 or above; two three-hour MATH, STAT, or OPRS courses numbered 3000 or above; and an average GPA of at least 2.0 in these courses.

Background

Students interested in a mathematics major at UNC Charlotte should take four years of high school mathematics, including Algebra I and II, geometry, and precalculus/advanced mathematics. Student with particularly strong backgrounds can begin with calculus; those who need a little more study before taking calculus can enroll in precalculus. Students who, after taking Advanced Placement Calculus in high school, achieve an acceptable score on the AP examination can receive UNC Charlotte credit for calculus.

Pre-actuarial Program

Teaching Certification in Mathematics

Students preparing for certification to teach mathematics in secondary school (grades 9-12) must complete a major in mathematics together with the relevant supporting courses in the College of Education and in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Mathematical Awareness Seminar

This seminar supplements what the student learns in mathematics classes with activities designed to broaden awareness of the mathematical world. The seminar presents speakers from both the mathematics department and from other on-campus departments whose disciplines depend heavily upon mathematics; speakers from business and industry; and informational sessions about professional societies and job opportunities.

The Senior Project

All students are required to complete a one-credit-hour independent study course during the senior year. The student works under the direction ofa departmental faculty member and presents the results of his or her workorally or in a written report.

The Cooperative Education Program

This program affords students the opportunity to gain valuable work experiencewhile still enrolled as undergraduates. Typically, beginning in the junioryear, a student with a GPA of 3.0 or above alternates semesters devotedto academic studies with semesters devoted to working in a position in government, business or industry related to the major. It is often possible to arrange the work semesters in the summers.

Pi Mu Epsilon

Students majoring in mathematics who have excellent overall records and exceptional performance in mathematics courses are invited to join this national honorary mathematics fraternity upon completion of the freshman year.

The Office of Statistics and Applied Mathematics(OSAM)

The Office of Statistics and Applied Mathematics consists primarily of a group of faculty and graduate students from the Department of Mathematics. OSAM provides consulting services to the faculty and students of UNC Charlotte and to local business and agencies.

Computers

At present the department manages 3 Windows and 1 Linux computer lab. All graduate student offices are equipped with at least one workstation. The department hosts a number of servers including two separate multinode beowulf clusters.  On these computers there is a considerable amount of state-of-the-art scientific software and word processing software available.  Facilities for mathematics education include a curriculum lab equipped with elementary, middle-grades, and secondary textbook series, North Carolina Manipulative kits, and a variety of other instructional resources, and a lab containing 18 IBM PC-compatible systems, 10 Macintoshes, and instructional software appropriate for school mathematics.

Career Opportunities in Mathematics

Mathematics majors are sought both for the particular mathematics skills they possess and the logical thinking and problem-solving skills they have developed. Students graduating with bachelor's degrees in mathematics should find themselves well prepared to obtain positions or enter graduate school in such diverse fields as computer science, engineering, operations research, statistics, actuarial science, and teaching, as well as some areas within biology, economics, and psychology. Students preparing for careers in industry or business should consider participating in the department's Cooperative Education Program. Students completing the B.S. curriculum will be well prepared for graduate work in the mathematical sciences.

Graduate Programs

The UNC Charlotte Department of Mathematics offers graduate degree programs leading to the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Mathematics, an M.A. in Mathematics Education, the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Applied Mathematics and the M.S. in Applied Statistics. The department also offers a doctoral level program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Mathematics. For more information about the master's and doctoral programs, please contact the Department of Mathematics or the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Financial Aid for Math Majors

Continuing math majors with outstanding records may apply for the Lynn Hauser Pearce Memorial Merit Scholarship. Offered in memory of Lynn Pearce, a member of the UNC Charlotte Mathematics Department until her untimely death in 1980, this tuition scholarship is awarded on the basis of merit alone.

For More Information

For more information about the undergraduate programs in mathematics, call or write:
Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs
Department of Mathematics
UNC Charlotte
Charlotte, NC 28223
(704) 687-2887