Math and Computer Science Competitions

The Student Competitions in Math and Computer Science program is an effort to improve the quality of education at the Hazleton campus. The purpose of the competitions is to encourage the development of creative thinking and problem solving techniques as well as to promote excellence in a competitive, out-of-class setting. The competition will provide the opportunity for students to interact, exchange ideas and compete, organize ideas, think logically and develop higher-level cognitive thinking. Such competitions also promote the sharing of knowledge between students and educators.

Students who successfully participate in these competitions will be recognized for their efforts through the presentation of a certificate. Students are also encouraged to consider presenting successful results at the campus Undergraduate Research Fair. 

Computer Science Competition

The Computer Science competition is an algorithmic programming competition for students at Penn State Hazleton. In the Computer Science competition, students compete individually in solving a set of algorithmic programming problems using the computer as a tool and C++ or Java programming languages. The problems might require further reading or research.

The Computer Science competition will be judged using criteria such as:

• the program loads and runs without errors (syntax, logical and run time errors) and closes cleanly on exit
• the program makes use of modules, e.g. subroutines

Guidelines for Computer Science Submission

1. Any amount of consultation with written materials is allowed. This doesn't mean that you can ask someone how to solve a problem. Do not ask someone where to look up an answer. Do not submit programs you wrote in collaboration with others. All solutions must be your own work.
2. Programs must be written in C++ or Java. All input data is to be entered by keyboard. All results are to be printed on the monitor.
3. All materials listed in number 4 below must be included in a zipped file and submitted as an email attachment by the posted deadline to Dr. Pavel Azalov
   Email: [email protected]
4. The solution of all problems should include:

• Listing of all program modules.
• A description of the used algorithm (printed material).
• The source codes of all program modules. Your name and e-mail address must be written as comment lines in the beginning of all program modules.
• The exe file of the program. The file name must be: problem_number.exe. Example: problem1.exe, problem2.exe, problem3.exe
• All files (source and exe) must be included in the submission.  

Math Competition 

The problems in the mathematical competition will be challenging and will not assume any knowledge of college mathematics. However, the problems might require further reading or research.

There are specific requirements for submitted solutions. The proofs or justifications must be clear, detailed and concise and should not require any further explanations. The emphasis is put on the explanation and not on the final result as is standard in mathematics. 

Guidelines for Math Submission

1. Math Olympiad Round rounds are announced each semester.
2. Submission Deadline will be posted.
3. Papers should be submitted to Dr. Simon Litvinov or Dr. Frank Marko by the posted deadline.  

Sample Problems from Previous Competitions (PDF Files)

Computer Science

• Spring 2015: Round 1
• Spring 2014: Round 1 
• Spring 2013: Round 1, Round 2
• Spring 2012: Round 1, Round 2
• Spring 2011: Round 1, Round 2 
• Spring 2010: Round 1
• Spring 2009: Round 1
• Spring 2008: Round 1, Round 2
• Spring 2007: Round 1, Round 2 
• Spring 2006: Round 1
• Spring 2005: Round 1, Round 2
• Spring 2004: Round 1, Round 2
• Spring 2003: Round 1, Round 2
• Spring 2002: Round 1, Round 2

Math

• Spring 2012: Round 1, Round 2
• Spring 2010: Round 1 
• Fall 2009: Round 1
• Fall 2008: Round 1
• Fall 2008 Solutions: Round 1
• Spring 2008: Round 1
• Fall 2007: Round 1 and 2
• Spring 2007: Round 1, Round 2
• Spring 2007 Solutions: Round 1, Round 2 
• Fall 2006:  Round 1,  Round 2
• Fall 2006 Solutions: Round 1, Round 2
• Spring 2006: Round 3
• Fall 2005: Round 1, Round 2
• Fall 2004: Round 1
• Spring 2004: Round 1, Round 2
• Spring 2003: Round 1, Round 2
• Fall 2002: Round 1, Round 2
• Spring 2002 Problems: Round 1 and Round 2
• Spring 2002 Solutions: Round 1, Round 2