UNIST Department of Physics held its inaugural 2026 Integration Bee, introducing a new academic competition designed to strengthen students’ mathematical problem-solving skills and encourage cross-disciplinary engagement. 

Held on March 26, the event brought together students to solve integral calculus problems in a timed, tournament-style format. The competition emphasized both speed and accuracy, reflecting the central role of integration in physics, engineering, and related fields.

The Integration Bee originated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1981 and has since become a recognized format for testing proficiency in integral calculus. Similar competitions have recently been adopted at universities across Korea, reflecting growing interest in applied mathematics and problem-based learning.

A total of 19 students participated in the preliminary round, with eight advancing to the final stage. The final competition drew an audience of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff, creating a setting that combined academic rigor with active peer engagement. Participants were required to solve complex integrals within strict time limits, demanding both analytical precision and rapid reasoning. 

Finalists solve integral problems during the UNIST Integration Bee 2026, demonstrating speed and precision in mathematical reasoning.

JeongJun Park from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was honored with the Grand Integrator Award, as the overall winner. 

“It was meaningful to take part in a competition I had followed with interest since high school,” Park said. “Seeing how quickly participants approached challenging problems across disciplines was particularly impressive.” 

HyunMin Cho from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, who placed second, noted, “The level of problem-solving demonstrated by other participants was highly motivating. The event was well organized, especially for its first year.” 

SeHoon Bahng from the Department of Physics who shared third place, said, “Although I initially felt some pressure, I was able to focus as the competition progressed. The experience renewed my interest in mathematics.” Ye Ji Lee, also a third-place finisher, added, “Working through problems alongside other participants made the event especially engaging. I look forward to participating again.” 

Min Sup Hur, Head of the Department of Physics, emphasized the broader significance of the initiative, “This inaugural competition reflects strong student interest in academic challenge. We will continue to develop programs that support intellectual growth and collaborative learning.”