Skip to main content

About Dr. Rick Klima

Dr. Rick Klima is a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Appalachian State University and director of the university's First Year Seminar program. Klima’s primary area of scholarship is in applications of linear and abstract algebra, mostly in cryptology and error-correcting codes. Cryptology is the science and art of methods, including mathematical, for disguising information so that it is kept secret from those from whom it is intended to be kept secret. A secondary research area is mathematical election theory, in which mathematics is used to predict, conduct and analyze elections.

Recent projects completed by students under Klima’s direction include the construction of an electromechanical device that replicates the operation of an Enigma cryptographic machine, the device used by Nazi Germany to encrypt information throughout World War II. Students under Klima’s direction have also recently created a new cryptographic method that uses music in the encryption and decryption of information.

Areas of Expertise
Mathematics
Mathematical election theory
Information/national security
Cryptology

Positions

Present Faculty Member, Appalachian State University ‐ College of Arts and Sciences
to
Present Director, Appalachian State University ‐ First Year Seminar
to
Present Professor, Appalachian State University ‐ Department of Mathematical Sciences
to

Disciplines

Research Interests

$
to
Enter a valid date range.
to
Enter a valid date range.

Honors and Awards

  • Most Helpful Faculty and Staff award by the Appalachian’s Office of Student Success, 2015-2016

Education

to
B.S., Liberty University
to
M.S., North Carolina State University ‐ Applied Mathematics
to
Ph.D., North Carolina State University ‐ Applied Mathematics
to

Links

Contact Information

828-262-2378
klimare@appstate.edu

In the News (3)

Downloadable Images (2)

Books (3)

Research Works (26)