Mathematical Olympiad Program
Encyclopedia
The Mathematical Olympiad Program or MOP is an intensive summer program held at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The main purpose of MOP, held since 1974, is to select and train the six members of the U.S. team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
. Students qualify for the program by taking the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO)
. The top twelve American scorers from all grades form the "black" group; these students are eligible for selection to the IMO team, which is determined by combining USAMO results with results of a similar exam called the team selection test. The approximately eighteen next highest American scorers among the remaining non-graduating students form the "blue" group. In 2004, the program was expanded to include approximately thirty of the highest-scoring American freshmen each year, the "red" group. The colorful designations of these groups were adapted from Karate
.
Canadians are allowed to write the USAMO
but not to participate in MOP. Occasionally, when Canadians are amongst the USAMO winners, top scoring honorable mentions are added to the black group. These additional students are also eligible for the IMO team. In 2005, such a student did qualify for the team and went on to win a gold medal at the IMO.
However, it should be noted that the cutoff scores for groups are not entirely rigid; some students are moved between groups at the beginning of the program. However, they do dictate who is invited to the program.
. After that, and until 1995, the program was alternately hosted by the United States Naval Academy
in Annapolis, Maryland
in even-numbered years and by the United States Military Academy at West Point
in odd-numbered years. The 1995 MOP was held at IMSA in Aurora, Illinois
, where then-MOP director Titu Andreescu
was a member of the math faculty. Most of the MOPs from 1996 on forward have been held in Lincoln, Nebraska
where the AMC
headquarters is located. An exception was made in the summer of 2001, as the United States would be hosting the IMO that year in Washington, D.C.
, and nearby Georgetown
was selected as the location for MOP.
International Mathematical Olympiad
The International Mathematical Olympiad is an annual six-problem, 42-point mathematical olympiad for pre-collegiate students and is the oldest of the International Science Olympiads. The first IMO was held in Romania in 1959. It has since been held annually, except in 1980...
. Students qualify for the program by taking the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO)
United States of America Mathematical Olympiad
The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad is a high school mathematics competition held annually in the United States. Since its debut in 1972, it has served as the final round of the AMC series of contests...
. The top twelve American scorers from all grades form the "black" group; these students are eligible for selection to the IMO team, which is determined by combining USAMO results with results of a similar exam called the team selection test. The approximately eighteen next highest American scorers among the remaining non-graduating students form the "blue" group. In 2004, the program was expanded to include approximately thirty of the highest-scoring American freshmen each year, the "red" group. The colorful designations of these groups were adapted from Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
.
Canadians are allowed to write the USAMO
United States of America Mathematical Olympiad
The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad is a high school mathematics competition held annually in the United States. Since its debut in 1972, it has served as the final round of the AMC series of contests...
but not to participate in MOP. Occasionally, when Canadians are amongst the USAMO winners, top scoring honorable mentions are added to the black group. These additional students are also eligible for the IMO team. In 2005, such a student did qualify for the team and went on to win a gold medal at the IMO.
Cutoff Scores
| Year | Black | Blue | Red/USAJMO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 35 | ||
| 2003 | 28 | ||
| 2004 | 24 | ||
| 2005 | 29 | ||
| 2006 | 25 | 18 | 9 |
| 2007 | 23 | 17 | 9 |
| 2008 | 28 | 20 | 10 |
| 2009 | 27 | 18 | 8 |
| 2010 | 29 | 23 | 18/35 |
| 2011 | 35* | 28 | 21/28 |
However, it should be noted that the cutoff scores for groups are not entirely rigid; some students are moved between groups at the beginning of the program. However, they do dictate who is invited to the program.
- In 2011, all students, including seniors, receiving a score of 34 were invited.
Locations
The first few MOPs were held at Rutgers UniversityRutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
. After that, and until 1995, the program was alternately hosted by the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
in even-numbered years and by the United States Military Academy at West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in odd-numbered years. The 1995 MOP was held at IMSA in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
, where then-MOP director Titu Andreescu
Titu Andreescu
Titu Andreescu is an associate professor of mathematics at the University of Texas at Dallas. He is also firmly involved in mathematics contests and olympiads, having been the Director of AMC , Director of MOP, Head Coach of the USA IMO Team and Chairman of the USAMO...
was a member of the math faculty. Most of the MOPs from 1996 on forward have been held in Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
where the AMC
American Mathematics Competitions
The American Mathematics Competitions are the first of a series of competitions in high school mathematics that determine the United States team for the International Mathematical Olympiad . This team, consisting of six high school students, competes in the IMO and has traditionally performed well...
headquarters is located. An exception was made in the summer of 2001, as the United States would be hosting the IMO that year in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and nearby Georgetown
Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Georgetown is a neighborhood located in northwest Washington, D.C., situated along the Potomac River. Founded in 1751, the port of Georgetown predated the establishment of the federal district and the City of Washington by 40 years...
was selected as the location for MOP.