Margaret Menzin

Professor of Computer Science and Mathematics and Program Director of Mathematical Sciences

Margaret Menzin teaches in both the Computer Science and Mathematics departments. She is interested in where those fields intersect – including cryptography/coding theory, algorithms, and big data – and in pedagogical issues related to those fields. She is particularly interested in pedagogical issues centered on teaching students to become independent learners. She is always eager to experiment with new approaches to teaching. This has included the use of writing, small group learning, teaching without textbooks (i.e., from professional books and articles), hybrid learning, and flipped classrooms.

Menzin’s efforts include using mathematics to reinforce students' understanding of computer science and vice-versa, and, more generally, integrated teaching of multiple fields. 

In mathematics itself, her interests focus broadly on abstract algebra and on mathematical modeling. In Computer Science, her interests focus on web programming and applications, on databases and on algorithms, including those important for bioinformatics. If you are curious about the field of computer science, you might enjoy her OMG:CS. Finally, she has done a lot of work encouraging young women to pursue careers in mathematics and computer science.

 

Education

  • MS, PhD, from Brandeis University
  • BA, Swarthmore College

Courses

  • MATH 118 Introduction to Statistics
  • MATH 210 Discrete Mathematics
  • MATH 211 Linear Algebra
  • MATH 310 Modern Algebra
  • MATH 319 Introduction to Financial Mathematics
  • MATH 343 Mathematical Modeling
  • CS 321 Web Centric Programming and Web Technologies
  • CS 221 Data Base Management Systems
  • CS323 Algorithms
  • CS 112 with BIO 221 Using Computers to Investigate Disease

Research/Creative Activities

Dr. Menzin maintains a highly regarded annotated bibliography for web programming.

She has written a book, About jQuery, published by LeanPub.

Her other publications can be found on ResearchGate.net

Shout-outs from Students and Alums

Main Campus Quad on a sunny day

Charlotte Rivard ’19 Applies Data Science to Study Climate Change

What inspired your interest in climate change and environmental economics? While I care about “the environment” itself, my concern for people is really what comes first. Changes to the climate threaten human lives and can exacerbate various social issues from...


Headshot of KT Sittig Boyd

KT Sittig-Boyd ’16 Shares Passion for Computer Science by Founding Annual Hackathon

Before becoming a Software Engineer for Toast, Inc., Sittig-Boyd wasn't planning to pursue a degree in computer science. But after taking an Intro to Programming class, she found her new passion. Check out why Sittig-Boyd was glad she kept an open mind.


Headshot of Laney Strange

“Everyone has a place in CS”: Laney Strange ’02 Receives Northeastern’s Excellence in Teaching Award

Laney Strange '02 is one of two professors to receive the 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award from Northeastern University. Strange was nominated by students for her work in the Khoury College of Computer Science.