NU Math Classes...Advice/Help

Hi guys! I am wondering what the relative difficulty of the following math classes is: Multivariable, Vector Calc, Linear Algebra, and Prob&Stats for Econometrics. I took AP Calc BC during my junior year of high school and got a 5 on the exam, but I have since forgotten lots of the skills such as the more advanced integration techniques and diffy q’s. My second question then is do you think I should retake Calc 1 and Calc 2 during my freshman year of college before I take math classes mentioned above? Obviously I’d prefer not to do this because it would set me back. Any input, advice, and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hello! The math classes you mentioned (with the exception of econometrics) are divided up into sequences. You could either take the 200s math sequence (multivariable to linalg, I think that might be it not sure) or take MENU 290 or 291, an honors program with admissions contingent on a 5 on Calc BC, which you have. MENU glosses over multivariable and covers proof-based linear algebra and vector calculus in three quarters, with 1.5 quarters for each. While the 200s sequence seems to be fairly standard and should be OK for you given that you have a decent quantitative background, MENU is decidedly more rigorous and it’s pretty difficult to maintain a good grade in MENU classes. That said, math difficulty is super subjective and I’d suggest that you look over practice exams of MENU classes before deciding which sequence to take.

Multivariable here, in my opinion, isn’t too hard to do without retaking single variable calc concepts. I didn’t take the regular 200-level course, but there’s a lot of overlap and the skills should come back to you fairly quickly. Regarding sequences, it really depends on your major. For something quantitative, I’d recommend not retaking calc. If you’re not going to use calc ever again, you might as well take it again and get a little GPA boost.

@MMSS2020 Thanks for the detailed response! I plan on majoring in economics (but the more social science/qualitative side), as well as either psychology or philosophy. The math courses I mentioned above are the pre-reqs for the Kellogg Certificate Program that I’d like to participate in. It’s been awhile since I’ve done calculus, and I didn’t feel like I understood it to the greatest extent when I took AP Calc BC, so this worries me a little if I jump into Mutlivariable next year at Northwestern. Would I be best off retaking Calc (maybe just Calc 2), or studying and brushing up on the concepts I don’t remember this summer from like an AP review book?

I didn’t even take Calc BC (did AB) but ended up placing into 230 (Calc 3- Multi) anyway. I originally thought about just taking Calc 2 anyway to prepare me for 3 (and because I didnt even take BC), but I got a hard no from my advisor and so many peers. Calc 2 is apparently one of the more difficult math classes at Northwestern and I was told over and over to just take the credit. So I decided to take the credit and start Calc 3 next quarter. If it makes you feel better, you can brush up on the AB material beforehand, but I heard you don’t need that much from Calc 2 to succeed in Calc 3 (definitely not all the BC stuff). I can’t speak to the MENU sequence but I have heard it is very difficult. Good luck!

@tylerfrenchfrye So did you end up taking Math 230? How much calculus was in it, and how did you end up doing in the class? So Math 220 and 224 are generally considered weed out classes at NU?

@MMSS2020

If you want to do Kellogg cert, I hear they prioritize MENU kids in admissions. As for the multi stuff, if you got a 5 on the AP exam for BC I think you’ll really be fine. Just look over a textbook about concepts you’re not solid with.

@tylerfrenchfrye