College of Science

Mathematical equations cycle through Kevin McGoff’s mind, as he pedals his bike on the system of greenways in north Charlotte.

The UNC Charlotte mathematician’s thoughts shift into gear, centered on problems associated with his field of study – dynamical systems. Dynamical systems serve as important mathematical models for a wide array of physical phenomena, relating to things such as weather modeling, systems biology, the spread of disease, and statistical physics, for example.

By now you’ve probably heard that a total solar eclipse is coming to North American skies on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, and the Carolinas have a front row seat. UNC Charlotte Observatory director and astrophysicist Catherine Qualtrough of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences shares the basics of this historic event.

For 50 years, the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens has been a living classroom for students and a horticultural and botanical asset for the campus and greater community. Botanical Gardens Director Jeff Gillman describes how support through Exponential will sustain the future of the gardens, including its educational curriculum and ongoing research.

Former Army finance specialist Tyler Crone served in Afghanistan and later taught high school computer science. Now, Crone is earning his master’s degree through the nationally ranked Mathematical Finance program. This is a joint program of the Departments of Finance and Economics in the Belk College of Business and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences alum Dave Martin is using his biology degree creatively at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery – blending science and art! Martin (’10) is the director of brewing operations at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery in Charlotte.

More than 100 undergraduate students competed in the 2017 Summer Research Symposium, with three College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students named the winners. “These are the agile minds that will advance understanding in many areas that affect our lives,” distinguished researcher Pinku Mukherjee said of the participants in the university’s research programs.

The hushed tones of UNC Charlotte students add another note to the song in the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, as faculty turn to the Gardens to study subjects ranging from graphic design to ecological interactions. They and their students embrace nature and gain inspiration from the natural world.

In recognition of their exceptional teaching, Ashley Bryan, Nishi Bryska and Ian Marriott have received the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences’ Excellence in Teaching Awards for 2017. Dean Nancy A. Gutierrez and the awards committee chairs commended the honorees and award finalists for their innovation, creativity and focus on engaging students in scholarship and research.

Erica Cherian, a junior at UNC Charlotte who is devoted to addressing issues of healthcare access and utilization by Charlotte’s most vulnerable citizens, has been named a Newman Civic Fellow. Newman Civic Fellows are student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions to challenges that face their communities.

Undergraduate students Mary (Tess) Overton and Nemah-Allah Saleh have received Goldwater Scholarships, as only the second and third students at the University ever to receive this award. The scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering.