Courses at Northwestern University

The computer science major is designed to show students at all levels of computing experience — including novices with no background in CS — how to approach problems from an algorithmic perspective, how to understand the nature and broad reach of computation, and how to apply that knowledge abstractly. Students in the program also learn how to approach problems from the systems perspective, understanding the evolving layers of the software and hardware stack, and how to use and extend them.

The programs are an ideal match for those who seek to learn how to design and implement complex software systems, effective human-computer interfaces, and machine learning and artificial intelligence applications, both individually and as a team member.

The bachelor of science in biomedical engineering prepares students to become leaders, innovators, and self-educators throughout their biomedical and bioengineering careers. The undergraduate program trains students to apply engineering techniques to the analysis of biological systems, providing full integration of biology and engineering.

The bachelor of science in chemical engineering is a unique major that exists at the intersection of science and engineering. Building on a foundation of chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics, the program expands student expertise to thermodynamics, transport processes, and chemical kinetics.

Preparation for careers in the field requires a comprehension of physical, chemical, biological, and engineering principles. The chemical engineering curriculum provides broad fundamental training and prepares graduates for the chemical and process industries or for advanced study.

The program aims to develop graduates who can plan, design, and operate new processes, who can contribute to the development of new chemical products, and who have potential for managerial responsibility in highly technical industrial enterprises.

Electrical engineering broadly encompasses disciplines such as solid-state devices, optics, signal processing, control, and communications that underlie much of the technology used in modern society. With this background, electrical engineers are well positioned to contribute to solving a variety of key engineering challenges facing society.

The ABET-accredited bachelor of science degree program in electrical engineering at Northwestern University distinguishes itself from others by emphasizing small class sizes and close interactions between, and among, students and faculty—a learning environment that is rare in undergraduate electrical engineering programs.

The curriculum includes courses in electronic circuits, solid-state electronics, electromagnetics, optics, lasers, controls, digital signal processing, communications, and networks. Our goal is to educate students in the fundamentals and applications of electrical engineering through a curriculum that allows sufficient flexibility for students to pursue their individual interests.

The bachelor of science in applied mathematics provides students with the knowledge necessary to apply mathematical ideas and techniques to the problems that arise in engineering or science. It is expected that a student receiving a bachelor of science in applied mathematics will have the background for suitable employment in industry or for graduate study in either mathematics (pure or applied) or an engineering field, including computer science and operations research.

An introduction to economics with emphasis on macroeconomics. Topics include: scarcity and choice, elements of supply and demand, inflation, unemployment, recessions, booms, fiscal and monetary policy, international balance of payments, and budget deficits.  Prerequisite: basic algebra and graphing.

An introductory course on the fundamentals of microeconomics.  The behavior of individuals and firms in deciding on prices and allocation of scarce resources.  Topics include: consumer preferences, costs of production, equilibrium prices and output, different market types, potential market failures, and the role of government interventions and public policy.

Data Science is a newly emerged program of study for integrated methods used to deal with complex and massive data encountered in every field nowadays. Data science concerns principles and methods applied in a broad array of activities spanning data collection, storage, integration, analysis, inference, reasoning, reporting and ethics. The breadth of these activities defines the interdisciplinary nature of data science programs, which typically entails statistics and computer science in the core curriculum, while embracing other domain sciences.