Undergraduate Programs
Department Program Requirements
Available Minors
The Putnam Competition
The William Lowell Putnam Competition
The "World Series" of Mathematics
The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition is the preeminent mathematics competition for undergraduate college students in the United States and Canada. Held annually on the first Saturday in December, the exam consists of two three-hour sessions of six extraordinarily challenging problems each.
The Challenge: The Putnam is not a test of memory, but of problem-solving skills. While the problems can be solved using standard undergraduate mathematics, they are designed to be difficult—many participants find it an achievement to solve even a single problem!
Preparation & Proof Writing
The best way to prepare is not by studying advanced theorems, but by practicing proof-writing and tackling past exam problems.
Recommended Lehman Courses for Preparation:
- MAT 179:Mathematical Proofs (Crucial for Proofs)
- MAT 226: Vector Calculus
- MAT 313: Elements of Linear Algebra
Interested in participating?
For more information, please contact Professor William Quattromani at: william.quattromani@lehman.cuny.edu
