Are There Open Undergraduate Math/Physics Competitions in the U.S. or Canada?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mythraven
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Competition
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the availability of open undergraduate-level math and physics competitions in the U.S. and Canada, specifically focusing on the Putnam competition for mathematics and inquiries about similar physics competitions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about open competitions for undergraduate math and physics, expressing a desire for inclusivity in participation.
  • Another participant mentions the Putnam competition as a notable math contest and suggests that there are physics competitions, although specifics are less clear.
  • There is a discussion on whether preparation can significantly improve scores in the Putnam competition, with some expressing skepticism about the necessity of innate mathematical talent.
  • Several participants agree that preparation is possible and mention that many universities offer extracurricular sessions to help students prepare for the Putnam competition.
  • One participant shares their experience with the Putnam competition, emphasizing the importance of understanding various proof techniques and concepts rather than focusing on specific math subjects.
  • Another participant notes that the contest format includes 12 questions divided into two sections, with a focus on proof writing and justifying each step.
  • There are mentions of recommended resources, such as a book on problem-solving techniques, which some believe could be beneficial for preparation.
  • Concerns are raised about eligibility for the Putnam competition, particularly for those not currently enrolled in a university with a math department.
  • Participants discuss the average scores in the competition, indicating that the problems can be quite challenging and often counterintuitive.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the existence of the Putnam competition and the potential for preparation, but there is uncertainty regarding eligibility and the specifics of physics competitions. Multiple views on the necessity of innate talent versus preparation exist, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to participation.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the requirements for entering the Putnam competition, particularly for those not currently enrolled in a qualifying university. There are also varying opinions on the effectiveness of preparation strategies.

mythraven
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
open math/physics competition?

hei:
i just want to ask if there are any open undergraduate-level math or physics competitions (in u.s. or cadana)...
well, for the 'open competition'... which i mean anyone who is interested in it can take it...
thanks for any reply ;)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
cadana? ummmmmmm...i'm insulted hehe j/k i hope you meant Canada
yes math its call the PUTNAM math competition
in physics i can't remember the name just go ask a physics dept. but its also N.A. wide. And tests generic knowledge and then specialized knowledge.
 
Putnam... Does anyone know if you can prep for this and significantly raise your score? Or do you just have to be a mathematical genius? It says that you don't need anything beyond calculus, but I'm sceptical after looking at some of the problems.
 
of course you can prep for it...most schools who are serious about this competition tend to have an extracurricular sessions that will attempt to put you in those type of problem solving modes. I think the one thing you might need to learn is probability or proofing by induction with probabilities.

Any how this was the book introduced to me when i was writing the putnam...i regret not looking at it after my 2nd year. "Problem Solving" by Larson...its a pretty good book that takes you through the techniques to proving. Because the putnam after all is a proving competition...you get like 4 pages to write a proof.

So talk to your math dept. UW, MAC, UFT,UBC all have it.

same goes with the physics but i believe that's geared towards 3rd years.
 
I'm a senior in high school now but will probably take it next year when I am a freshmen in college (depending on how things go). I haven't had much problem-solving experience, but could probably get a real analysis class in before I take it. Would that help?
 
doesn't really matter what math subject you t ake because there are a wide variety of questions...over the years...

the contest if its still as it was 3-4 years ago is 12 questions divided 6 and 6
and i believe it was 3 hours per section.

The main think is to understand as much concepts as possible but more important know your proving techniques...because for each question you get about 2 pages to write up a proof...and you got to justify each step of youru proof. You get part marks oiutta 10.
 
neurocomp2003 said:
doesn't really matter what math subject you t ake because there are a wide variety of questions...over the years...

the contest if its still as it was 3-4 years ago is 12 questions divided 6 and 6
and i believe it was 3 hours per section.

The main think is to understand as much concepts as possible but more important know your proving techniques...because for each question you get about 2 pages to write up a proof...and you got to justify each step of youru proof. You get part marks oiutta 10.

I see. Have you taken it?
 
of course...4 of 5 yearss. didn't really know much in my first year.
i didn't really have prep time for it...but it was fun especially because our math dept took us out to lunch...sucked that we had to wake up at 8am but the lunch was great and the extra sessions were fun...though i was lost sometimes because i wasn't a pure math major.
I do recommend the larson book as a prep for the contest...because it illustrates a variety of proving techniques over the span of many math fields including analysis, algebra, geometry, number theory etc.
 
How does one enter it?

I don't know that our University even participates...
 
  • #10
Talk to your math department.
 
  • #11
Yea they have it at almost every university, just take a walk around the math department, they should have a place for announcements, you'll probably see it there. I think the average score for my school is around a 0, and that the average among universities is around 1 or 2, they're not easy questions, they are often counterintuitive, and technically you don't need to know a lot of higher math, but you need to be very well versed in what you now. Usually the first question could be done by someone with just high school.
 
  • #12
well, i come back here a little late...and neurocomp2003, i do mean Canada...
anyway, i am checking PUTNAM's website, but still doubt if i can even participate - because i am not enrolled any university which has a math department...right now, i am in a college and it is going to be finish next Sep. so i am still thinking if i should go to a university for math and physics or keep them as hobby all the time...but the problem is i have nothing to prove that how 'good' or 'bad' i am, that's why i am asking the question...
 

Similar threads

'F=ma' Physics competition preparation help
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
Admissions Direct Entry to PhD Program -- Advice Please
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
6K
Admissions Switching from grad quantitative psych to physics: is it possible?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Programs Physics Major with Stats/Data Analysis Minor (Is this a good combo?)
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Other Math Olympiad Advice Please (I will be 13 years old next year in 9th grade)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Admissions Need advice regarding my admissions prospects for graduate school
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Schools University Search for a Physics Major
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
5K
Admissions Graduating a year early anxieties + grad school
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Studying Physics training tips for competitions?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Programs Physics degree to med school? please help
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K