Undergraduate Program: MENU

Overview

Mathematical Experience for Northwestern Undergraduates (MENU) is a flexible program of courses designed to provide qualified undergraduates with a thorough foundation in mathematics suitable for advanced study in mathematics and its applications across a wide range of disciplines.

MENU offers students an opportunity to expand their mathematical knowledge while retaining flexibility about their majors. MENU is especially well suited for students considering a major in mathematics, the natural sciences or economics, although MENU attracts participants with a variety of interests and majors.

Read the MENU FAQ.

The Courses

During the first year MENU participants typically enroll in one of two yearlong sequences: Math 290-1,2,3 or Math 291-1,2,3. Each provides a strong background in linear algebra and multivariable calculus. In contrast to standard mathematics courses, Math 290 and Math 291 first develop linear algebra and then apply it to the study of multivariable calculus.

Math 291-1,2,3 emphasizes theory and proofs and is appropriate for students who are particularly skilled in and passionate about mathematics. Students in Math 291 have typically earned a score of 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Calculus BC examination. Students may transfer between 290 to 291 with permission from the Director of MENU.

Math 290 meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays either from 10:00–10:50 a.m. or from noon to 12:50 p.m., with a required discussion section on either Tuesday or Thursday at the same hour. Math 291 meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from noon to 12:50 p.m., with a required discussion section on either Tuesday or Thursday at the same hour. If you are an incoming student interested in MENU, then be sure to leave one of those time slots free on your ranked list of freshmen seminars.

After the first year MENU participants may choose among the three upper-level MENU sequences described below, or may enroll in other advanced courses in the department.

Math 360-1,2 MENU: Applied Analysis is a two-quarter sequence in ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations and Fourier analysis with an emphasis on applications and mathematical modeling. Students use a software application such as Maple®, Mathematica® or MATLAB® to analyze models chosen from physics, biology, chemistry and economics.
Math 321-1,2,3 MENU: Real Analysis is an intensive sequence in metric space topology, advanced calculus, and Lebesgue measure and integration. Students carefully develop limits, continuity, differentiation and integration from a deep understanding of the real number system.
Math 331-1,2,3 MENU: Abstract Algebra is a challenging sequence in group theory, ring theory and Galois theory, the mathematics arising from Fermat's last theorem and problems of classical antiquity such as squaring the circle and trisecting the angle.

Beyond the Courses

During their junior and senior years, MENU participants choose course work to satisfy the requirements of their majors, which might be mathematics, a field to which mathematics can be applied, or something entirely unrelated to mathematics.

MENU participants can enroll in 300- and 400-level mathematics courses to complete a major or minor in Mathematics. Advanced MENU participants might engage in independent study with a faculty member on a project of mutual interest. Such a project may lead to a senior thesis, an important component in earning departmental honors.

Beyond Northwestern, MENU participants often pursue advanced degrees or careers in finance, law, social policy, management, or the sciences that employ their mathematical skills. Recruiters in many fields value a solid background in mathematics.

The Faculty

The Mathematics Department at Northwestern is strongly committed to undergraduate teaching and curricular innovation. The MENU faculty includes award winning teachers and internationally recognized scholars.


John M. Alongi Senior Lecturer Director of MENU Math 291-1,2,3	Dean Baskin Boas Assistant Professor Math 360-1,2	Luke Gutzwiller Visiting Assistant Professor Math 290 -1,2,3	Van Cyr Boas Assistant Professor Math 290 -1,2

Zhihong (Jeff) Xia Professor Math 321-1,2	Francesco Calegari Associate Professor Math 331-1,2,3	John Franks Professor Math 321-3	R. Clark Robinson Professor Math 321-1

Admission Criteria

Admission to MENU is by invitation. Students who have earned a score of 5 on the Advanced Placement Calculus AB examination or a score of at least 4 on the Advanced Placement Calculus BC examination should automatically receive an invitation to participate. Students satisfying any of the criteria listed below qualify for MENU even though they will not automatically receive an invitation. They may obtain permission to enroll by sending email which includes their names and netids to the the Director of MENU at menu $at Math Northwestern (edu)$ .

International students who have completed single-variable calculus.
Students who have completed a college-level sequence in single-variable calculus with high grades.
Students earning a 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher-Level Mathematics Examination.

Course Equivalences

Here are the correspondences between standard mathematics courses and MENU courses:

Standard Courses	MENU Equivalent
220-0, 224-0	AP Calculus BC exam with a score at least 4, or AP Calculus AB exam with a score of 5, IB Higher-Level Mathematics exam with a score of 7, or departmental permission
230-0	290-2 or 291-2
234-0	290-3 or 291-3
240-0	290-1 or 291-1
250-0	360-1
320-1,2	321-1,2
330-1,2,3	331-1,2,3
351-0	360-2
353-0	360-2

MENU: Frequently asked questions

Who participates in MENU?
MENU enrolls a diverse group of students. The common characteristic of successful MENU students is a passion for mathematics!

What are the benefits of participating in MENU?
MENU courses develop topics in more depth than do standard mathematics courses. Many departments at Northwestern offer courses that use advanced mathematical concepts and techniques which our standard courses may only touch upon. MENU covers many of these topics in detail. The analytical skills acquired from a serious study of mathematics will benefit you throughout your future career.

Do MENU participants receive more attention than students in standard mathematics classes?
In general, yes. Class sizes are usually small, and you are more likely to have the same instructor for an entire course sequence. The longer-term relationships you build with MENU instructors and with its director enhance opportunities for advising, letters of recommendation, and independent study.

How will participating in MENU affect my other studies at Northwestern?
MENU courses replace some standard courses and serve as prerequisites for more advanced ones. (The tables below detail how MENU courses substitute for standard courses in the mathematics curriculum.) Participating in MENU will neither require you to take more courses in mathematics, or fewer courses in other areas, than you otherwise would have taken. Nor will participation in MENU obligate you to major or minor in mathematics, although many MENU students choose to do so.

Do MENU courses require more time and work than standard courses?
In general, yes. Examinations and assignments are more demanding, expectations are higher, and MENU courses often demand a greater time commitment than standard mathematics courses.

Is there a separate application for MENU?

No. Students satisfying the admission criteria through an Advanced Placement Calculus examination should receive an invitation to participate in MENU during the summer before their first year. Qualified students who do not receive an invitation may request permission to enroll by sending email to the the Director of MENU at menu $at Math Northwestern (edu)$ . Please include your name and netid in your email.

I did not take an AP Calculus exam. Are there alternative criteria for admission to MENU?
Students satisfying any of the criteria listed below qualify for MENU even though they will not automatically receive an invitation. They may obtain permission to enroll by sending email which includes their names and netids to the the Director of MENU at
menu $at Math Northwestern (edu)$ .

International students who have completed single-variable calculus.
Students who have completed a college-level sequence in single-variable calculus with high grades.
Students earning a 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher-Level Mathematics Examination.

How do I obtain a permission number to register for a MENU course?

Visit the Mathematics Department Office in Lunt 201 or the Director of MENU. If you have accepted our invitation to enroll in MENU, then a staff member or the Director can provide you with a permission number to register.

What first-year courses are available to MENU students?
There are two year-long sequences available to MENU students, 290-1,2,3 (accelerated linear algebra and multivariable calculus), and 291-1,2,3 (intensiver linear algebra and multivariable calculus, with an emphasis on theory). Both sequences develop linear algebra before multivariable calculus and treat their subject matter in greater depth than the standard curriculum.

What is the difference between 290 and 291?
Math 291 places greater emphasis on mathematical theory and rigor than does Math 290 and is appropriate for students who are particularly skilled in and passionate about mathematics. Students may move between 290 and 291 with permission from the Director of MENU.

When do Math 290 and 291 meet?
Math 290 meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays either from 10:00–10:50 a.m. or from noon to 12:50 p.m., with a required discussion section on either Tuesday or Thursday at the same hour. Math 291 meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from noon to 12:50 p.m., with a required discussion section on either Tuesday or Thursday at the same hour. If you have been invited to participate in MENU, but have been assigned to a freshman seminar which conflicts with these times, then please email the Director of MENU. We will work with the Dean of Freshmen to change your seminar to one which does not conflict with Math 290 and 291.

Can students who have already taken multivariable calculus still participate in MENU?
Yes. Please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies at
dus $at Math Northwestern (edu)$ for advice specific to your background.

What courses do MENU participants take after the first year?
After the first-year MENU participants can opt for one of the 300-level MENU courses or for standard 300-level courses in mathematics. There are three 300-level MENU sequences:

Math 321 Real Analysis
Math 331 Abstract Algebra
Math 360 Applied Analysis

Must I take only MENU courses after the first year?
No. Standard mathematics courses that are popular among MENU participants include Math 310 Probability and Stochastic Processes and Math 300 Foundations of Higher Mathematics.

Do MENU participants have to take all of the 300-level MENU courses?
No. MENU is flexible. Admission to the program allows you to enroll in MENU courses, but does not require you to do so. However, the earlier quarters of each MENU sequence are prerequisites for the later quarters, and each 300-level MENU sequence has one of the 200- level MENU sequences as a prerequisite.

How many students enroll in MENU?
At the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year, 133 students enrolled in five sections of Math 290, and 34 enrolled in two sections of Math 291. In addition, 57 students enrolled in Math 321, Math 331 or Math 360.

Can participants withdraw from MENU?
Yes. No formal withdrawal from the program is necessary. Admission to the program allows you to enroll in as many, or as few, MENU courses as you wish, subject to satisfying the prerequisites.

Can students in the Integrated Science Program (ISP) participate in MENU?
First-year ISP students should enroll in Math 281, the first-year ISP mathematics sequence. ISP students who have completed the Math 281 sequence may consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies about enrolling in 300-level MENU courses.

Can students in Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences (MMSS) participate in MENU?
First-year MMSS students entering directly from high school should enroll in Math 285, the first-year MMSS mathematics sequence. However, if you have not been accepted to MMSS directly from high school, you may apply for sophomore entry into MMSS. Those accepted as sophomores who have already completed Math 290 or 291 will be exempt from Math 285. MMSS students who have completed Math 285 may consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies about enrolling in 300-level MENU courses.

Can students from schools other than WCAS participate in MENU?
Yes. Students from other schools should consult with their academic advisers for help in planning their schedules around their school requirements and MENU courses.

How can I obtain answers to additional questions about MENU?
Send email to menu $at Math Northwestern (edu)$ ; we'll get right back to you. Please include your name and netid in your email.

Contact Information

Dr. John M. Alongi
Director of MENU
menu $at Math Northwestern (edu)$
(847) 467-1874