Ibrahim Gardner
The Integrated Science Program (ISP) at Northwestern University is a highly selective curriculum that combines mathematics with the natural sciences. The program has been running since 1976 and currently has around 85 students. The ISP is designed to expose students to all fields of the natural and mathematical sciences, allowing them to see the commonalities and connections across different disciplines. The curriculum is accelerated and consists of 25.7 units, including up to 3 units of independent research and a regular seminar series.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Students | 85 |
| Curriculum | 25.7 units, including up to 3 units of independent research |
| Curriculum Description | A highly selective curriculum of natural sciences and mathematics presented predominantly in small classes at an accelerated pace |
| Curriculum Emphasis | Common base and relationships between traditional sciences, including mathematics and development of first principles |
| Curriculum Goal | Provide students interested in science and mathematics careers with a broad quantitative background for further work or employment |
| Admission Requirement | Acceptance to Northwestern University and a separate application to the ISP director |
| Admission Preparation | Four years of mathematics, including calculus, and four years of science, including chemistry and physics |
| Admission Tests | AP Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry are highly recommended |
What You'll Learn
The program has around 85 students
The Integrated Science Program (ISP) at Northwestern University is a tight-knit community of around 85 bright science students. The program has been running since 1976 and offers a challenging, customised advanced curriculum that integrates mathematics with the sciences.
The ISP is a highly selective curriculum, with a broad quantitative background that prepares students for further work or graduate school. The program is composed of 25.7 units, including up to 3 units of independent research and a regular seminar series. The curriculum is taught in small classes at an accelerated pace and covers a wide range of subjects, including computer programming, advanced chemistry and physics, accelerated mathematics, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, and more.
The ISP is designed to expose students to all fields of natural and mathematical sciences, helping them see the commonalities and connections across different disciplines. For example, the math courses in the ISP curriculum show how different mathematical techniques are used in natural sciences such as chemistry and earth science. The ISP also allows students to pursue a double major in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, math, engineering, or other popular subjects.
The small size of the ISP community ensures that students receive support and guidance throughout their studies. The program has a collaborative environment, with juniors and seniors employed as tutors to help first-year students. The ISP also encourages students to get involved in research early in their undergraduate careers, with most students participating in research projects during their time in the program. This extended research period increases the likelihood of producing work for an honours thesis or peer-reviewed publications.
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It's a highly selective curriculum
The Integrated Science Program (ISP) at Northwestern University is a highly selective curriculum. The program has been offering a challenging, customised, and advanced curriculum to some of the brightest science students since 1976. The program integrates mathematics with the natural sciences, exposing students to all fields of natural and mathematical sciences to demonstrate the commonalities among different fields.
The curriculum is designed to be highly selective, emphasising the importance of mathematics and the development of first principles. The ISP courses are presented in small classes at an accelerated pace, covering a wide range of topics. The first-year curriculum is typically fixed and includes courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science. The math sequence starts with multivariable calculus, and students are expected to treat concepts from Calculus BC as prerequisites. The physics courses cover mechanics, electricity, and magnetism, while the chemistry courses focus on accelerated general inorganic and physical chemistry.
In the second year and beyond, students can expect to take courses such as vector operators and ordinary differential equations, systems of differential equations, linear algebra, infinite series, boundary value problems, and partial differential equations. They also explore earth and planetary sciences, accelerated organic chemistry, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics. The curriculum further delves into advanced topics such as quantum mechanics, physical chemistry, nuclear and particle physics, probability and statistics, biophysical analysis of neurons, and astrophysics.
The ISP at Northwestern University is unique in its approach to integrating mathematics and the sciences. The program is highly selective, offering a rigorous academic experience that prepares students for top graduate programs and careers in various fields, including research, medicine, and engineering. The challenging curriculum, combined with the small class sizes, ensures that students receive a well-rounded and comprehensive education in their chosen field.
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ISP students can take non-ISP classes
The Integrated Science Program (ISP) at Northwestern University is a community of about 85 students total. The program is designed to enable students to take classes outside of the program, in addition to their set curriculum. This means that ISP students can take non-ISP classes.
First-year students in the ISP will take their First-Year Seminars (if in Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences) or Design Thinking & Communication courses (if in McCormick School of Engineering) with non-ISP students. In terms of classes, first- and second-year students will take mostly ISP classes, while third and fourth-year students may only have one to two ISP-specific courses per quarter.
The ISP is a challenging, customized, and advanced curriculum that integrates mathematics with the sciences. The program believes that the most effective way to prepare for a career in one science is to be immersed in all of them. The curriculum is designed to expose students to all fields of the natural and mathematical sciences so that they can see commonalities among different fields of the natural sciences.
The ISP major allows students to see connections across different disciplines. For example, upon majoring in math and ISP, a student may find that the process of figuring out a reaction mechanism in organic chemistry is quite similar to the process of proving a mathematical statement. This is the kind of connection across distinct fields of the sciences that one may not find unless they study both disciplines.
Another important aspect of the ISP is its emphasis on mathematics. The math courses in the ISP curriculum are designed to show students how different mathematical techniques are used in the natural sciences. For example, in Math 381 (Fourier Analysis), one of the classes of functions, called spherical harmonics, is intimately connected to the atomic orbital shapes that students may already be acquainted with from chemistry classes. However, spherical harmonics can also be seen in earth science (Earth 350) when studying seismology.
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ISP students can graduate in three years
The Integrated Science Program (ISP) at Northwestern University offers a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a challenging and customized advanced curriculum that integrates mathematics with various sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and planetary sciences. The program is designed as a major and a community, bringing together some of the brightest science students since 1976.
One of the standout features of the ISP is the ability for students to graduate in three years. This accelerated timeline is made possible by the program's structure and rigorous curriculum. The ISP curriculum is composed of 25.7 units, including up to 3 units of independent research and a regular seminar series. To graduate in three years, students must complete 38.7 or more quarter-courses and satisfy all other college requirements by the end of their third year. This option is particularly appealing to those who wish to pursue further studies or enter the workforce a year ahead of their peers.
However, it is important to note that the three-year timeline can be demanding and may not be suitable for all students. The ISP curriculum is known for its rigorous academic standards and intense workload, especially during the first year. Students are encouraged to collaborate, ask for help when needed, and manage their time effectively to keep up with the demanding course requirements. While the program offers support through advisors and tutors, graduating in three years requires dedication and a strong work ethic.
Additionally, the three-year option may impact students' choices for double majors or minors. Many ISP students choose to pursue a double major in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or engineering. Combining an ISP major with a second major often leads students to spread their studies over four years. This additional time allows them to fulfil the requirements of both majors without rushing through their education.
For students considering the three-year graduation timeline, careful planning is essential. They must ensure they are on track with their course requirements and college obligations. Meeting with academic advisors and seeking guidance from the ISP administration is crucial to staying on course. Additionally, students should be mindful of any specific requirements or obligations associated with their desired career paths, such as pre-medical students taking the MCAT, as these may influence their graduation timeline.
In conclusion, the Northwestern University Integrated Science Program offers a unique opportunity for students to graduate in three years. This option provides a fast-track to entering the workforce or pursuing graduate studies. However, it requires dedication, a strong work ethic, and careful planning to balance the rigorous curriculum and any desired double majors or minors. For those up for the challenge, the ISP at Northwestern University can be a rewarding and accelerated pathway to a bright future in the sciences.
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ISP students can find labs and research groups early
The Integrated Science Program (ISP) at Northwestern University offers a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a challenging and customized advanced curriculum that integrates mathematics with various sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. With around 85 students in the program, ISP provides an intimate and collaborative learning environment.
One of the standout advantages of the ISP is that it enables students to find labs and research groups early in their undergraduate careers. This is a significant benefit, as it allows them to gain extensive research experience and make the most of their time at the university.
ISP students often secure positions in labs or research groups earlier than their non-ISP peers. This head start gives them an advantage in exploring different areas of scientific research and discovering their specific interests. By beginning their research journey sooner, ISP students can work in labs or research groups for longer, increasing the likelihood of producing notable work.
The program's emphasis on early research exposure enhances the overall educational experience. Students can apply their theoretical knowledge to practical research contexts, fostering a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. This hands-on approach also enables students to develop valuable research skills, such as collaboration, critical thinking, and data analysis.
Additionally, the ISP's research component encourages students to seek out labs and research groups that align with their specific interests. With a diverse range of research areas available, students can explore their passions and make informed decisions about their future career paths. Whether they are interested in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or a combination of these fields, ISP students can find research opportunities that cater to their individual aspirations.
The ability to find labs and research groups early on in the ISP is a significant advantage for students seeking to pursue graduate studies or research-intensive careers. By gaining early research experience, ISP students can build a strong foundation for their future endeavours, making them well-prepared and competitive candidates for their desired paths.
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Frequently asked questions
There are approximately 85 students in the program.
The program provides students with a broad quantitative background, superior preparation for further work or graduate school, and the opportunity to pursue research in world-class laboratories. The curriculum is designed to expose students to all fields of natural and mathematical sciences, allowing them to see connections and commonalities across different disciplines.
Students must be accepted to Northwestern University and submit a separate application to the program director. High school preparation should include four years of mathematics, including calculus, and four years of science, with chemistry and physics. AP Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry are highly recommended.
The program covers a variety of disciplines, including mathematics, physics and astronomy, chemistry, biological sciences, computer science, neuroscience, and earth and planetary sciences.
