Each year undergraduate students at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) are eligible to compete in the Putnam Mathematical Competition.

Every fall semester, the Mathematics Department offers a course called the Putnam Express. The main purpose of this course is to get students ready for the Putnam competition. The course is optional; students may still take the Putnam without participating in the course.

Registration for Putnam Express is not required; students may participate in these weekly problem solving sessions without registering. The main prerequisite for participating is love for mathematics and the challenge that solving problems brings. Participating students must have some basic familiarity with proofs, but no specific mathematical background is required.

Students who want more information should contact me, Dr. Roohollah Ebrahimian, at ebrahimi@umd.edu for more information.

FAQ

What is the purpose of math competitions and what is so special about Putnam?

Math competitions such as Putnam can be incredibly helpful in expanding your knowledge of math, in teaching you many different problem solving skills, challenging you and inspiring you and getting you more interested in mathematics.

Putnam began in 1938 as a mathematics competition for undergraduate students. It is the most prestigious undergraduate math competition in the US and Canada. The median score is usually a zero. Even earning a single point (out of 120 possible points) could help you when applying for jobs or graduate school.

Who is eligible to participate in Putnam?

To be eligible to take Putnam at UMCP you must be a registered undergraduate student at UMCP and have no prior undergraduate degrees. No individual may participate in Putnam more than four times.

What are the dates of Putnam this year?

Putnam competition is always held on the first Saturday of December from 9:40 am to 6 pm. The exact dates and locations will be announced as soon as they are available.

Are weekly problem sessions the same as Math 299B (Putnam Express)?

Yes. Students who actively participate in weekly problem sessions are encouraged to formally register in Math 299B (Putnam Express.) To participate in these problem sessions you do not have to officially register for Math 299B.

Who can officially register for Math 299B (Putnam Express)?

All undergraduate students at UMCP are eligible to register for Putnam Express, however to officially register for Putnam Express you need to:

• love solving mathematics problems.
• be fairly comfortable with writing proofs. Methods of proof such as induction and proof by contradiction will be extensively used. Nearly all problems are proof-based.
• commit at least a few hours every week outside of class to solving math problems.

Although it is not required, having experience with math competitions such as AMC 10/12, AIME, and USAMO is a plus.

If you are unsure whether this class is the right class for you, feel free to email me.

Students may participate in Putnam Express problem solving sessions without registering.

How do I register for Putnam?

In order to register for Putnam, you should email me from your umd.edu email address. The registration deadline for Putnam is generally early November. If the deadline has passed, send me an email and I will do my best to accommodate you.

Do I have to attend Putnam Express in order to be able to participate in Putnam?

No, but you will have to email me so I can help you register.

Are high school students eligible to participate in Putnam?

High school students are generally ineligible to participate in Putnam, unless they are regularly enrolled to take courses at UMCP semester after semester. Keep in mind that no individual may participate in Putnam more than four times. That means you may want to wait until you start college before participating in Putnam.

Are there any alternatives for those who are unable to take the Putnam on Saturday before sundown?

Yes. Email me as soon as possible and I will accommodate you.

How is the UMCP Putnam Team selected and how are the teams ranked?

Based on the new rules that were adapted by the MAA, starting 2019 our team automatically consist of the three highest scoring participants from the University of Maryland. In other words, our team will be determined after the exam is over and the results are out.

Also, the team rank for our school will be based on the sum of the scores of the three highest scoring participants at UMCP.