UVM and Mapping are way to apply a texture to a surface (poly/mesh/tri), you should have a look at cgtalk (
www.cgtalk.com) if you are learning 3DSMax, its full of 3DSMax and other modeler tutorial and talented 3D modelers are willing to help and give tips.
I googled quickly mapping method, and this tutorial sounded nice
http://www.cgarchitect.com/news/newsfeed.asp?nid=1523 it will explain you how to map a texture to a surface (and later you could learn to UVM).