German National Computer Science Competition

This demanding competition is intended to encourage young people to concern themselves with informatics and with the potential uses of information processing systems and to experience the fascination and variety of computer science.

 WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

The competition is open to young people aged up to 21 years at general and vocational schools, trainees, and people performing military or civilian service.

 WHAT PROBLEMS ARE SET?

Participants must solve problems in various fields of informatics which are selected and posed by an Examination Committee. The problems in the first round call for a knowledge of algorithms and data structure as well as skills in programming of a level which participants can, if necessary, teach themselves. The problems in the second round demand considerably greater insight into approaches and methods for solving problems in the field of informatics. The problems set in the third round usually deal with topical questions of research and development in the field of informatics.

 HOW IS THE CONTEST CONDUCTED?

The competition takes place in three rounds: The first round runs from 1 September to mid-November, the second from the end of December to mid-April. In the first and second rounds, entrants have to solve problems at home without external assistance. Group work is possible in the first round. As a rule, the third round takes place in September in the form of a colloquium involving companies and other institutions. Each participant takes part in two specialist discussions with a jury and works on two problems in a team. The BWINF also conducts the "Informatics Beaver" online quiz in order to recruit participants. This pre-contest stage is the German partner of the international Bebras Initiative and is held every November.

WHAT PRIZES AND AWARDS DO PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE?

Certificates are awarded for participation and for special merits in all rounds of the contest. Small prizes and book prizes are awarded in the first two rounds; participants are also invited to seminars and younger participants can apply to Pupils Academies. Cash and material prizes are awarded in the third round. The winners of the final round are also entitled to funding from the German National Academic Foundation.

 WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL?

Approximately twelve participants in the final round of the German National Computer Science Competition and two to three prize winners in the mathematics/informatics section of the Young Researchers Competition take part in courses to prepare them for the International Informatics Olympiad (IOI). The best four are selected for the IOI team and are eligible for funding from the German National Academic Foundation.

 WHO ORGANIZES THE COMPETITION?

Bundeswettbewerb Informatik
Wissenschaftszentrum
Postfach 201448
53144 Bonn Contact:
Tel.: +49 (0) 228 3729000
Fax: +49 (0) 228 3729001
e-mail: bwinf@bwinf.de

Web addresses:
www.bwinf.de (BWINF)
www.ioinformatics.org (Internationale Informatik-Olympiade)