It’s a universal college experience: looking through countless pages of classes, checking their requirements, and trying to squeeze in everything you need to take each semester. Scheduling meetings with advisors is not an easy task, especially around the beginning of the semester. Fortunately, there’s always a silver lining to the stress of picking classes. There are plenty of courses that are well worth taking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, according to upperclassmen and recent Badger graduates.
Here’s a list of the 10 best classes Badgers say were the best they’ve taken:
1. Biomedical Engineering 545: Engineering Extracellular Matrices
Calling all Biomed Engineers! Discussing the structure, expression, and distribution of extracellular matrix proteins and their deeper impacts on tissue function, this course would not work for the slacker type. BME 545 focuses on different pathologies, which are the origins, nature, and effects of diseases. This course also looks into regenerative medicine, which would be a field that focuses on replacing cells, tissues, and organs within humans to regain normal function. Being a STEM major will definitely be required for this class.
“If you are on the biomaterials track, I highly recommend this class, which digs deeper into the various components that make up the extracellular environment and how we can use these components to study various pathologies,” University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate Rae Ng said. “The content was challenging but allowed for some insightful discussions! The literature learning discussions were the most fun because we explored some exciting real-world applications of the class content. Prof. Brockman and our TA Rithvik created a welcoming and lively classroom environment which helped me to look forward to coming to this class.”
If you’re a STEM major looking for a challenging course with a welcoming environment, this course may be for you. The study of disease and how it can negatively impact how our organs work sounds daunting but can be very rewarding when learning how to save lives. Some classes might not seem to be applicable to a career or your real life, which can leave you asking, “When am I really going to use this?” But, with BME 545, biomedical engineering students can use insightful class discussions and tough coursework in their future careers. It also helps to have fun instructors that help keep you motivated during class.
2. Microbiology 526: Physiology of Microorganisms
Microbiology 525 is simply stated as learning about the “biochemistry of microbial processes.” Despite simply having four words to its name on the class description page, this course will be anything but simple. For STEM majors, this course focuses on the functions of microscopic organisms. Students learn how these living things exist by themselves or work together. This course covers a wide variety of topics that can be useful in other classes.
“It was incredibly challenging, but incredibly rewarding to eventually figure out and master everything,” University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate Ethan Seng said. “It also gave me an incredible advantage in my other classes because it covered a massive depth and breadth of information. Dr. Michael Thomas is a great lecturer and gives good explanations of the (very complex) material. He’s also very good at providing help in office hours.”
You get to learn all about the inner workings of some of the smallest organisms known to man, and the chemical processes within them. See how these organisms respond to their environments. Learn about different cell structures and how these beings thrive in certain conditions. Dive deep into unique characteristics of organisms, like luminescence. If you’re looking for a challenging but rewarding microbiology course with a helpful lecturer, this class might be for you.
3. History of Science 133: Biology and Society, 1950 – Today
This course offers a timeline of events in the history of biology. It also shows early developments with technology and styles of practice that helped shape the field in the modern era. Students learn how to take complex scientific arguments and look at them through a new lens. This helps students gain a better understanding of how to read through, and write their own, academic papers. This class also focuses on how advancements in science can change people’s views over time.
“The material was incredibly important and impactful in terms of understanding history, teaching you how to approach the world and news,” University of Wisconsin-Madison junior Ilan Rosenbaum said.
Learning how to approach health and science-related news, especially around disease and food sources, plays a key role in framing how people think and form opinions. It can also change how people tackle arguments. The information you learn in this course can provide good background knowledge for other fields like journalism and psychology. History of Science 133 offers a different perspective on those fields by giving students a more scientific lens. If you’re looking to gain a better appreciation of how biology evolved over half a century, you’ve found the right class.
4. Art Department 307: Making Comics I
Sharpen your pencils and get ready to draw as you create a handmade original comic book from scratch! A rigorous class with a bit of a heavy workload, Art 307 helps students hone their skills. Students get to pitch story ideas and make characters of their own creation. No previous drawing experience will be necessary for this course, but students must be eager to draw every day to produce a 32-page book by the end of the class. Walk among comic legends as you publish your own original comic in Art 307.
5. Music 151: Basic Concepts of Music Theory
Learn the basic tools of music theory and composition in Music 151. Students get to explore the evolution of music through genre study. Through simple composition projects and visual listening maps, this course offers practical application of the information you learn. No need to be a music major, this class welcomes all students. This is a unique option to get some humanities credits.
“Music 151 with Jamie Henke was my favorite [class] just based on the vibes of the professor and the people who I got to work with. This class is fun and rewarding even if you only like music just a little,” University of Wisconsin-Madison senior Antone Posselt said.
This course will give you a newfound appreciation for all types of music you hear, regardless of genre. Students learn what goes into music creation. Fundamental elements like notes, chords, rhythm and harmony are taught. This class gives you a set of guidelines to follow to interpret and analyze music in a more complex way. Listening to music just took on a whole new meaning.
6. Journalism 202: Mass Communication Practices
Known as one of the biggest weed-out classes on the entire campus, aspiring journalists’ first class in the J-School is Journalism 202. A 6-credit powerhouse of a course, J202 has lectures and 3-hour labs twice weekly, the fundamentals of writing and ethical reporting are taught. Students learn how to create their own digital portfolio website and present themselves professionally online. Individual projects are focused on Madison, where students reach out and interview professionals about their unique topic. Students complete classwork in teams with their entire lab section.
“The best class I’ve ever taken at UW was Journalism 202,” University of Wisconsin-Madison junior AJ Dehnke said. “I met with my lab group for 6 hours a week, and we all became great friends! I’ve never had a class where such a profound community is established, so J202 was very special for me. Shoutout Binbin Wang, the TA, for fostering this vibe!”
Nothing says “Welcome to the J-School” quite like the bond you make with your J202 lab mates and section TA. Students work together in lab sections to create an entire marketing campaign from the ground up, including website creation, writing copy, conducting interviews, and editing audio visual pieces. They become fluent in social media campaign marketing terms and ideas. Students also get very familiar with Adobe Suite, where they practice and build transferable skills. Learn how to become a journalist with real-life scenarios in a tight knit community in Journalism 202.
7. Marketing 410: Sports Marketing
Ever wonder how professionals market the Super Bowl or World Cup to get audiences to tune in every year? Marketing 410 examines sports as a business with a focus on attracting customers in a unique global landscape. Marketing and promotion are unique in each country. Students learn how sports marketers develop and use strategies to appeal to their specific audiences. Different sports all around the world are touched on in this course.
“The content was so interesting and a great, different perspective on marketing. Moses Altsech is a fantastic teacher, he’s funny, cares about his students, and throws in so much extra value in terms of life and professional lessons,” University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate Hannah Kludt said.
If you are looking to learn more about how sports like football, basketball, and baseball become multi-billion dollar industries with a great professor, this class might be a good fit for you. Study marketing channels and the customer journey for sports enthusiasts. Learn about other revenue streams within the industries, like how to make merchandise for superfans. Sports are very important in many people’s lives and students learn how to give their audiences the content they love. Tap into the heart of different sport communities in Marketing 410.
8. Forest and Wildlife Ecology 110: Living with Wildlife – Animals, Habitats, and Human Interactions
This course offers the basics of wildlife conservation and management, and how humans directly impact the world around them. From deep dives into habitats, ecosystems, and the animals themselves, this course investigates how we can help save and preserve them. This class also focuses on the story of Wisconsin wildlife and conservation efforts by Aldo Leopold through reading his novel A Sand County Almanac. Leopold was a UW professor and father of modern wildlife conservation and ecology. Entertaining and useful for all majors to better understand our planet and all who inhabit it, Forest and Wildlife Ecology 110 would be a great addition to any schedule.
9. Communication Arts 350: Introduction to Film
This was one of my favorite classes at the UW. Who doesn’t want to watch a bunch of classic movies for class credit? In this course, you really learn how to watch movies in a new and objective way. You learn how lighting, framing, costumes, props, sound, and the mise-en-scène that makes for an interesting visual are key elements to every film. And, you get a little more background into the complex processes that go into creating a film, like writing, casting, filming, editing, and promotional marketing.
10. English 160: Truth and Crime
Are you addicted to true crime podcasts or wonder why some people are fascinated by them? Look no further than Truth and Crime, where students discover how the “true crime” literary genre started. Follow the genre’s journey as it changed from novels into podcasts and Netflix docuseries. Untangle the deep web of law, crime, and narrative portrayals in media. Students get a glimpse into how the true crime genre can help better understand human psychology and define society with this course.
