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Calculus Placement

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Placement in Calculus and non-Calculus Courses

Any questions about placement in calculus or other 100- and 200-level courses which remain after reading this page should be directed to Dr. Martina Bode, Director of Calculus, (847) 491-5598. Questions about MENU should be directed to the Director of MENU.

Index
MMSS, ISP, and McCormick School of Engineering students
Mathematical Experience for Northwestern Undergraduates (MENU)
Prior calculus
No prior calculus:
      Beginning calculus sequences
      Prospective social science majors
WCAS Formal Studies Requirement
Textbooks for undergraduate Math courses

MMSS, ISP, and MEAS: Students in MMSS, ISP, or the McCormick School of Engineering should consult their program advisers about mathematics placement.

If you have already studied Linear Algebra or Multivariable Calculus...

• Consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies to determine what course to take next. You can set up an appointment with him by calling (847) 491-3299.

If you scored 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam or 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam...

• You should have been invited to join MENU and should enroll in 290-1 or 291-1.
• If you were not invited to enroll in MENU (for example, if you matriculated outside the USA or did not take an AP Calculus test), consult the Director of MENU for permission to enroll. More information about MENU is available on the MENU webpage.

If you have had UP TO ONE YEAR of calculus...

• If you received credit for two quarters of calculus...
  • You should have been invited to enter our MENU program. If you did not receive such an invitation, or did not reply positively to the one you did receive, you should consult the Director of MENU.
  • If you wish, you may register for 230 instead. You should be aware, however, that this will put you at a disadvantage if you decide to major or minor in math, or if you decide to apply to the Kellogg School of Management's Certificate Programs for Undergraduates.
• If you received credit for one quarter of calculus...
  • Register for Math 224, or
  • Take a self-placement exam to determine whether you should register for Math 230. Questions about your placement should be directed to the Director of Calculus, Dr. Bode.
• If you took calculus in high school, but did not receive any credit...
  • We strongly discourage students from repeating material which they covered in high school. Take the appropriate self-placement exam to determine which course to register for. Questions about your placement should be directed to the Director of Calculus, Dr. Bode.

If you had NO calculus in high school...

• Register for Math 220, our beginning calculus course, or, in special cases, Math 212.

  Math 220 initiates a five quarter series of courses in calculus and linear algebra (220, 224, 230, 234, 240) which are prerequisite to all higher mathematics courses and are required by majors in science, engineering, as well as many economics majors. (The MENU courses 290-1,2,3 and 291-1,2,3 replace the last 3 courses of this series.)

  The Math 212, 213, 214 sequence is restricted to students who have had little or no previous exposure to calculus and are unsure of their mathematical preparation. These three courses cover the single variable calculus material of Math 220 and 224 at a slower pace. True beginners -- those who can certify that they have had no prior exposure to calculus (a precalculus course is permitted) -- may obtain permission to enroll in Math 212 from the Math Office (Lunt 201). Others with a limited background must consult the Director of Calculus, Dr. Bode, in order to obtain permission. True beginners and those with a limited background may also enroll in Math 220, which will get them through single-variable calculus in less time.

• If you plan to major in a social science other than economics which requires some mathematics, including calculus, you may register for
  • Mathematics 202, offered in fall 2007 and winter 2008, which covers topics from elementary linear algebra, probability, and elementary statistics.
  • Math 211, offered in spring 2008, a one quarter short course in single variable differential and integral calculus. Math 211 is not acceptable for science or economics majors.

    Students in this category may also take 220 or, if they qualify, 212.

• If you are interested in ccntinuing your study of mathematics, but do not want to take any of the courses listed above, register for one or more of the following independent one-quarter courses which satisfy the WCAS formal studies distribution requirement:
  • Math 110, Introduction to Mathematics I, offered in the fall and winter
  • Math 111, Introduction to Mathematics II, offered in the spring.
  • Math 104, Introduction to Game Theory, offered in the spring.

WCAS Formal Studies Requirement

Students entering Northwestern in Fall 2006 or later may use one quarter of math AP credit to fulfill a single unit of the WCAS formal studies requirement.

For students who entered Northwestern prior to Fall 2006, each quarter of math AP credit fulfills one unit of the WCAS formal studies requirement.

Passing Math 230 (or any more advanced course) with a grade of C- or better fulfills the entire WCAS formal studies requirement.