In name, it is a math contest. But it has been likened by past participants to a battlefield experience: three days of adrenaline, all-nighters, vending machine fare and caffeine.

Past participants -- many math and computer science majors, but also plenty of students from other departments -- also cite it as the most gratifying and memorable three days of their undergraduate experience.

The contest is the annual Cornell Mathematical Contest in Modeling (CMCM), scheduled this year for Nov. 12-15. Information sessions are set for Tuesday, Nov. 2, and Wednesday, Nov. 11; both at 6 p.m. in 253 Malott Hall.

Open to all undergraduates, it's a chance to tackle a real-world problem -- modeling the spread of the deadly emerald ash borer in northeastern forests and developing a mitigation strategy, for example, or explaining the existence or location of a baseball bat's "sweet spot."

A math background is helpful, but the contest also requires leadership and teamwork; patience, perseverance and focus.

"It truly is not as much about what they know already, but what they can internalize in the space of three days," said Alex Vladimirsky, associate professor of math and contest co-organizer.

Each team has a weekend to brainstorm, research and write up results. Solutions are judged based on feasibility, validation of the model and clarity of presentation. Winning teams earn $400 in prizes and advance to the international competition in February.

Last year, four Cornell teams went on to the international competition, which attracted 2,254 teams from 14 countries. Two earned "meritorious" designations, meaning they fell in the top 19 percent.

Paul Grigas '11, a member of one of last year's winning teams, called the experience "intense but rewarding."

Would he recommend it to others? Definitely, he said. "Just do it."