The famous Platonic inscription "μηδείς αγεωμέτρητος εισίτω" ("let no one ignorant of geometry enter") has been adopted, directly or indirectly, by all universities in the world and, very correctly, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the university of Cyprus was one of the departments with which the University of Cyprus commenced its operation. The primary goal of the Department is the promotion, through scientific research and teaching, of the Mathematical Sciences.
The achievement of this goal is inextricably linked with the need to produce well-trained scientists who will contribute to the continuation of the cultural and economic progress of Cyprus. Because of the pivotal role of Mathematics and Statistics for Science, it is necessary to create a department of high caliber.

Following modern trends, the University of Cyprus encourages joint degree programs between the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and other Departments (e.g., Computer Science, Economics) that offer various career possibilities. The ambition of the Department is to become a recognized research and teaching center.

Important steps in achieving this ambition are the development of links with corresponding institutions abroad and the creation of high-level programs of studies. The undergraduate program which started in September 1992 had been designed in such a way so as to be naturally extended into a graduate one, which was designed at a later stage and started in September 1997.

During its first years of operation, the Department has prepared the program of studies, has established a seminar series in Mathematics and Statistics, has placed emphasis on the development of a modern and fully equipped library and has collaborated with other sectors of the University to develop the necessary institutional and technical (especially in electronic equipment) infrastructure.

PROGRAM OF STUDY
The program of studies contains the list of courses, the description of most courses, and the regulations for obtaining the degrees in Mathematics and Mathematics and Statistics.

The Department's objective is to offer an up-to-date and realistic program leading to degrees whose standards are equivalent to those of well-established universities. The program has been designed so that it can be easily adapted to future needs.

COURSES
The curriculum courses are divided into three levels and six groups. The 101-199 level includes basic courses, compulsory for all students in the Department. The 201-299 level includes the main body of the degree requirements and the 601-699 level is for graduate courses. Groups I, II, III, IV, V and VI correspond to the following areas of Mathematics: Analysis, Algebra, Geometry, Probability/Statistics, Numerical Analysis, and Applied Mathematics. Courses numbered from 001 to 099 are service courses (see table A).

Classes meet for four hours per week, one of which may be a recitation class. Each course carries four credits.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Department offers sufficient 100- and 200- level courses to allow the completion of the requirements for obtaining the degree in Mathematics or in Mathematics and Statistics in 8 semesters with regular attendance. Regular attendance is considered to be the successful completion of an average of three courses in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and one course offered by other departments, per semester. It should be noted that the students of the Department, after the completion of their studies, receive only one of the degrees offered by the Department.