Three University of Texas at Tyler students took top honors at the 2007 Integration Bee held March 29, Dr. Jennifer McLoud-Mann, UT Tyler assistant professor of mathematics has announced.

Justin McCaslin of Jacksonville, a freshman biology major, won the first place cash prize of $75. Freshman electrical engineering major Jennifer Williams of Plano came in second and won $50. Shaun Williams of Pearland, who is double-majoring in mathematics and computer science, placed third and received $30.

 “The Integration Bee is like a spelling bee but instead of spelling words, students work integration problems. The problems used for this event are the techniques that a student learns in calculus 1 and II which involve u-substitution, integration by parts, trigonometric substitution and partial fraction decomposition,” McLoud-Mann said.

Both students currently taking calculus II and who have completed the course were able to compete, McLloud-Mann added.

“UT Tyler mathematics, science, engineering and computer science majors make up almost all of the competitors,” McLoud-Mann said.

Approximately 40 UT Tyler students participated in this year’s event, which was sponsored by the UT Tyler math club and Student Government Association, McLoud-Mann said.  

One of the 15 campuses of the UT Tyler System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 70 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of nearly 6,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.