# DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

## FIRST-YEAR FOCUS

### Standard Calculus and Linear Algebra courses

MATH 220-0, 224-0, 230-0, 234-0, and 240-0 are Northwestern’s sStandard courses in calculus and linear algebra. These courses, or their equivalents, are prerequisite for most upper-level mathematics courses and are required for all science and engineering majors. The courses are:

• MATH 220-0 Differential Calculus of One-Variable Functions
• MATH 224-0 Integral Calculus of One-Variable Functions
• MATH 230-0 Differential Calculus of Multivariable Functions
• MATH 234-0 Multiple Integration and Vector Calculus
• MATH 240-0 Linear Algebra

MATH 212-0, 213-0, and 214-0 form a sequence in single-variable calculus for students who certify that they have had little or no previous exposure to calculus and are not confident about their mathematical preparation. The sequence consists of:

• MATH 212-0 Single-Variable Calculus I
• MATH 213-0 Single-Variable Calculus II
• MATH 214-0 Single-Variable Calculus III

Together MATH 212-0, 213-0, and 214-0 cover the same material as MATH 220-0 and 224-0.

Before registering for MATH 212-0:

• True beginners (those who have had no previous exposure to calculus whatsoever) must obtain permission to register for MATH 212-0 from the Undergraduate Program Assistant in Lunt Hall Room 201.  A precalulus course is permitted.
• Students with limited exposure to calculus must obtain permission to register for MATH 212-0 from the Director of Calculus. True beginners and those with limited calculus experience may also enroll in MATH 220-0.

### NEW STANDARD Calculus and Linear Algebra courses (BEGINNING FALL 2019)

Beginning in Fall 2019, Northwestern's standard courses in calculus and linear algebra will be:

• MATH 220-1 Single-Variable Differential Calculus
• MATH 220-2 Single-Variable Integral Calculus
• MATH 226-0 Sequences and Series
• MATH 228-1 Multivariable Differential Calculus for Engineering*
• MATH 228-2 Multivariable Integral Calculus for Engineering*
• MATH 230-1 Multivariable Differential Calculus^
• MATH 230-2 Multivariable Integral Calculus^#
• MATH 240-0 Linear Algebra

* For McCormick School of Engineering students only.
^ Not open to students in the McCormick School of Engineering.
# First offered in Winter 2020.  MATH 234-0 will be offered in Fall 2019 for a final time.

MATH 218-1, 218-2, 218-3 form a sequence in single-variable differential and integral calculus for students who certify that they had little or no previous exposure to calculus and are not confident about their mathematical preparation. The sequence consists of:

• MATH 218-1 Single-Variable Calculus with Precalculus (1st quarter)
• MATH 218-2 Single-Variable Calculus with Precalculus (2nd quarter)
• MATH 218-3 Single-Variable Calculus with Precalculus (3rd quarter)

Together, MATH 218-1,2,3 cover the same material as MATH 220-1,2.

Before registering for MATH 218-1:

• True beginners (those who have had no previous exposure to calculus whatsoever) must obtain permission to register for MATH 218-1 from the Undergraduate Program Assistant in Lunt Hall Room 201. A precalculus course is permitted.
• Students with limited exposure to calculus must obtain permission to register for MATH 218-1 from the Director of Calculus. True beginners and those with limited calculus experience may also enroll in MATH 220-1.
Students who have not earned credit for MATH 226-0 should also take MATH 226-0 before taking MATH 250-0 or 300-level mathematics courses. Students may take MATH 226-0 concurrently with MATH 230-1, MATH 230-2 or MATH 240-0.

Mathematical Experience for Northwestern Undergraduates (MENU) is a flexible program of challenging 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.

Students invited to participate in MENU should give serious consideration to this option.  MENU is the preferred pathway to a mathematics major or minor and is the preferred preparation for applicants to MMSS and to the Kellogg certificate programs. More information, including the differences between Math 290 and Math 291, is available at the MENU webpage.

• MENU offers students an opportunity to expand their mathematical knowledge while retaining flexibility about their majors. The program is especially suited for students considering a major in mathematics, the natural sciences, or economics, although MENU attracts participants with a variety of interests and majors. The entry courses to the MENU program are:
• MATH 290-1,2,3 MENU Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus
• MATH 291-1,2,3 MENU Intensive Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus
• The MATH 290 and MATH 291 sequences only begin in the Fall.
• Students who have not earned credit for MATH 226-0 should also take MATH 226-0 before taking MATH 250-0 or 300-level mathematics courses. Students may take MATH 226-0 concurrently with MATH 290 or MATH 291.

# See Credit Recognition for Students Entering 2019-20.

### Course Recommendations for First-Year Students

#### If you did not study calculus in high school,

• and you do not plan to major in a discipline that requires further mathematics, but you need to satisfy the Area II Formal Studies distribution requirement, then register for
• MATH 100-0 Quantitative Reasoning (offered in Spring only), or
• MATH 202-0 Finite Mathematics (offered in Fall, Winter and Spring), or
• MATH 211-0 Short Course in Calculus (offered in Spring only), or
• MATH 212-0 Single-Variable Calculus I (offered in Fall and Winter only), or
• MATH 220-0 Differential Calculus of One-Variable Functions (offered in Fall and Winter only).
• and you plan to major in science, engineering, economics or journalism, then register for
• MATH 220-0 Differential Calculus of One-Variable Functions (offered in Fall and Winter only), or
• MATH 212-0 Single-Variable Calculus I (offered in Fall and Winter only).
• and you plan to major in a social science other than economics that requires mathematics, then register for
• MATH 202-0 Finite Mathematics (offered in Fall, Winter and Spring), or
• MATH 211-0 Short Course in Calculus (offered in Spring only), or
• MATH 220-0 Differential Calculus of One-Variable Functions (offered in Fall and Winter only), or
• MATH 212-0 Single-Variable Calculus I (offered in Fall and Winter only).

#### Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Examination Recommended Placement

EXAMINATION SCORE RECOMMENDED PLACEMENT OTHER POSSIBLE PLACEMENT*
AP Mathematics AB (or AB subscore of Mathematics BC) 4 MATH 224-0 MATH 230-0
AP Mathematics AB (or AB subscore of Mathematics BC) 5 MATH 224-0 or 290-1 MATH 230-0
AP Mathematics BC 4 MATH 230-1 or 290-1 MATH 291-1
AP Mathematics BC 5 MATH 230-1 or 290-1 MATH 291-1
IB Higher Level Examination 6 MATH 224-0 MATH 230-0
IB Higher Level Examination 7 MATH 224-0 or 290-1 MATH 230-0 or 291-1

*after consulting with a mathematics adviser

• and you did not take an Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate mathematics examination,
• and you have a strong interest in mathematics, and excelled in differential and integral calculus, but have not studied linear algebra and multivariable calculus, then consult the Director of MENU about appropriate placement.
• and you studied calculus outside of the United States, then consult the Director of MENU about appropriate placement.
• and you do not have a strong interest in mathematics, then register according to the results of the mathematics placement examination (see below).
• If you are unsure about your appropriate placement, contact the Director of Calculus.

### MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT EXAMINATION

All incoming first-year and transfer students who intend to take a calculus course at Northwestern and are not in the McCormick School of Engineering must complete our online mathematics placement examination by 11:59 p.m. on July 31.

• This 90-minute examination tests mastery of single-variable calculus. The results of this examination, together with standardized examination scores and transfer credit, help the Department of Mathematics and first-year advisers determine appropriate course placement in MATH 220-1, 220-2, 226-0, 230-1, 230-2, or 290-1/291-1.
• The mathematics placement examination will be available through the Canvas learning management system beginning June 1. A link to Canvas appears in the top menu bar on the Northwestern university webpage (http://www.northwestern.edu).
• Incoming students should receive an email invitation to join a Canvas page to take the examination. Returning students who have not yet taken a Calculus course at Northwestern may contact the Director of Calculus for permission to take the placement exam. Placement information will be available through Canvas by the end of August.
• If you completed a multivariable calculus course in high-school, then complete the Multivariable Calculus Assessment (available through the mathematics placement examination on Canvas; see that site for instructions) and contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

### Contact Information

#### Contact Information

• Calculus placement
• 100- and 200-level course advising
Aaron Peterson, Director of Calculus Lunt B2 calculus@math.northwestern.edu
• Mathematics major and minor advising
• Declaring a mathematics major or minor
• Credit for mathematics courses at other institutions