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401-2020-26L 4 Credits BSC , MSC D-MATH

Topics in Competition Mathematics

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Georg Anegg
Number of participants limited to 12. Fully booked.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:38

Abstract

Students present various topics and techniques featured in university-level mathematics competitions and apply them.

Objective

Students will gain experience in - presenting their solutions to peers in an instructive and intuitive manner - answering questions from competitions by combining their mathematical knowledge with problem solving techniques

Content

This seminar revolves around the problems commonly featured in university-level mathematics competitions like the International Mathematics Competition for University Students (IMC). Each session will include a review of a topic or technique as well as an interactive problem solving part. The focus is on getting to know a variety of techniques and applying them to competition questions. In particular, the seminar will cover problems in some of the following areas - Analysis (limits, continuous and differentiable functions, integrals, inequalities) - Linear Algebra (matrix computations, eigenvalue analysis) - Number Theory (modular arithmetic, diophantine equations) - Combinatorics (Graph Theory, counting, invariants) - Algebra (Group Theory, polynomials) as well as appropriate further topics depending on student interest.

Resources

Literature

Past problems of university-level competitions, including - International Mathematics Competition for University Students - Putnam Mathematical Competition - Vojtech Jarnik International Mathematical Competition - Imperial-Cambridge Mathematics Competition which are all available online.

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance

Registration & Places

Limited places (Special selection)
Signup End
07.02.2026
Priority: Registration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
seminar Topics in Competition Mathematics
  • Wed 08:15-10:00 (HG G 26.3)
2 h weekly

Offered In

  • Mathematics Bachelor
    • Seminars (The number of seminar places is limited, and the special selection procedure should help to allocate the places not primarily according to the registration time. Everybody is waitlisted first when he/she tries to register for a seminar in myStudies. Moreover: Only one mathematics seminar can be chosen per semester. Notice also the course unit 401-0002-99L Generic Seminar - Second Priority / Third Priority.)
    • Further Courses Suitable for the Second Year
  • Mathematics Master
    • Seminars and Semester Papers
      • Seminars (The number of seminar places is limited, and the special selection procedure should help to allocate the places not primarily according to the registration time. Everybody is waitlisted first when he/she tries to register for a seminar in myStudies. Moreover: Only one mathematics seminar can be chosen per semester. In case you need to attend 2 seminars in this semester, please take contact with the Study Administration (email: ). Notice also the course unit 401-0002-99L Generic Seminar - Second Priority / Third Priority.)