Preparing for the International Mathematics Competition for University Students

Supervisor: Professor D. Lesnic, Department of Applied Mathematics, Room 8.13, E-mail:

D.Lesnic@leeds.ac.uk
Keywords: Algebra; Analysis (Real and Complex); Geometry; Combinatorics
Prerequisites: For 2nd year students: obtained first class marks for: MATH 2080 or MATH2022
(Further Linear Algebra or Groups and Vector Spaces) (essential) and MATH 2051 (Geometry
of Curves and Surfaces) (desirable). Also, needs to currently undertake MATH 2016 (Analysis)
(essential) and MATH 2026 (Rings, Fields and Polynomials) (desirable).
For 3rd year students: obtained first class marks for: MATH 2080 or MATH2022 (Further Linear
Algebra or Groups and Vector Spaces) (essential), MATH 2051 (Geometry of Curves and
Surfaces) (desirable), MATH 2016 (Analysis) (essential), MATH 2026 (Rings, Fields and
Polynomials) (desirable), MATH 3071 (Groups and Symmetry) (essential). Also, needs to
currently undertake MATH 3143 (Combinatorics) (essential) and MATH 3113 (Differential
Geometry) (desirable).

Project specification: In order to be able to enhance students’ mathematical background and

knowledge and develop their ability to possible carry out research at postgraduate level,
students should be trained and taught with material supplemental to the normal 3 year
undergraduate curriculum.
The aim of this UG bursary project is to prepare first class students to participate in the 25 th
International Mathematics Competition for University Students to be held in Bulgaria at the
end of July 2018. Over the past 23 years, students from more than 200 institutions and over
50 countries all over the world have participated in this series of competitions (currently
organised by the University College London). Achieving good results at this competition, apart
from very high prestige and esteem, will enable possibly scholarship support and selection for
higher degrees in Mathematics.
The project is analytical and consists in training in solving problems from the fields of Algebra,
Analysis (Real and Complex), Geometry and Combinatorics. Each week the student will have
to attempt to solve a homework consisting of 5 selected problems plus extra reading material.
At the supervisory meetings, solutions attempted by the student will be analysed and
discussed in detail.