Mathematics and Science Competitions
Throughout the academic year, numerous competitions are held for students interested in pursuing their interests in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science. The competitions challenge students on a variety of levels. They are administered at the local, provincial, national and international level. Most competitions are held during the winter semester.
Mathematics Competitions
Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC): Held in November, this contest is the only one administered in the Fall term. In addition to being an important competition, it serves as a qualifying paper to many other competitions. Students receiving top scores may be able to compete, by invitation only, in other competitions.
Concours de l'Association Mathématique du Québec (AMQ): Held in February, this contest is specifically targeted to CEGEP students. Successful candidates are invited to a mathematics summer camp organized by a university.
American Mathematics Contest (AMC12): Held in February, this contest awards successful candidates prizes, including plaques and pins, graphing calculators, math software and a subscription to Science Magazine. It is the qualifying paper for the AIME.
Euclid: This contest held in April by the University of Waterloo may lead to an entrance scholarship at that university.
Canadian Mathematics Olympiad (CMO): It is considered an honour to be invited to participate in this contest, held in March by invitation based on the student's COMC.
Asia Pacific Mathematics Olympiad (APMO): Held in March by invitation based on a student's COMC result, this competition can lead to the USAMO and IMO.
American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME): Held in March, only by invitation based on a student's AMC12 result, this competition can lead to the USAMO.
USA Mathematics Olympiad (USAMO): Held in April, this 9-hour contest (four and a half hours over two consecutive days) is given by invitation based on a student's AMC12/AIME results or unofficially based on the COMC/CMO/APMO results. It can lead to the IMO.
International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO): Based on their COMC, CMO, APMO and USAMO results, students are invited to form a national team and after a few weeks of training they are flown to the destination where the international competition takes place.
For more information, please contact Professor Victor Gavrin.
Physics Competitions
Sir Isaac Newton Competition (SIN): It may be a good idea to participate in this competition, usually held in May, if you plan to apply for a scholarship in Physics at the University of Waterloo. It may also lead to an invitation to the IPhO.
Canadian Association of Physicists Competition (CAP): Usually held in April, this competition can lead to an invitation to the IPhO or a mathematics summer camp in Quebec.
International Physics Olympiad (IPhO): Based on their SIN and/or CAP results, students are invited to form a national team and after a few weeks of training they are flown to the destination where the international competition takes place.
To learn more, please contact Professor Jérémie Vinet.
Chemistry Competitions
Québec Order of Chemists Competition (OCC): This competition is the qualifying paper for the IChO. It has two parts: a set of multiple choice questions on General Chemistry I and II (college level); and a set of development questions on various topics of General Chemistry I and II and Organic Chemistry (college level).
Chem 13: This competition is comprised of a set of multiple choice questions on various aspects of General Chemistry (below college level) and basic Organic Chemistry (for example, recognition of functional groups and simple reactions).
International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO): Based on students' OCC results, a team is selected from the winners of the competition set by the Order of Chemists. This group will have challenging theoretical and experimental problems to solve.
To learn more, please contact
Professor Alex Vukov.
Computer Science Competitions
Canadian Computing Competition (CCC): The first stage is a three-hour contest comprised of five questions either at the junior or senior level. It is written at Marianopolis, usually at the end of February. The top 20 or so senior contestants are invited to the second stage, held at the University of Waterloo, in either April or May. This week-long event involves seminars, a contest divided into two three-hour components and other extra-curricular activities. The results of the two stages are used to determine the Canadian team members who participate in the International Olympiad of Informatics (IOI), held in a different country every year.
To learn more, please contact Professor George Fleischer.