Contest Preparation Seminar
1 credit hour.
Course Objectives
- Students will work on carefully selected problems which simultaneously develop sophisticated
problem-solving techniques and inspire discussions about more advanced mathematics.
- Use competition problems to provide a map to many interesting topics, and to expose
a bridge to higher mathematics.
Course Description
The course is a preparation for undergraduate mathematical competitions. A hands-on
approach is adopted to cover many classical mathematical topics. These topics include,
but are not limited to: pigeonhole principle, inequalities, sequences and series,
Euclidean geometry, number theory, combinatorics, calculus, linear algebra and group
theory.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to apply mathematical ideas from classical mathematical topics
in a variety of contest problems
- Students will be able to acquire practical knowledge of a wide range of mathematical
techniques
- Students will be able to write detailed reports of the solution process
Course Requirements
- Students will present in class solutions of a problems from previous undergraduate
competitions.
- Students will participate in undergraduate competitions offered at Western Carolina
University.
- Students will complete homework assignments as specified by the instructor.
Grades
Students will be given a grade of S for satisfactory completion of the course work
and a grade of U for unsatisfactory completion of the course work. Please refer to
the Undergraduate Student Handbook for details regarding the Grading and Quality Points
Policy.
Attendance
Students are expected to regularly attend classes.