Badger Precollege Classes

This three-week, immersive program invites all international students seeking a higher education experiential learning opportunity. Students will experience college life as a student on UW–Madison's extensive campus. The program offers interactive workshops and presentations in sustainability, college preparation, admissions, financial aid, leadership and development. Students will participate in excursions and community outreach activities that sample the culture, traditions and values of the Midwest. After completing this program, participants will have finished an exceptional educational program with all the benefits of studying abroad that will prepare them for their future endeavors in higher education learning.

Did you know there are an estimated 1 billion different species of microorganisms on Earth? Microorganisms play a role in every aspect of the world we live in. As an applied biological science, microbiology deals with many important practical problems in medicine, agriculture and industry. Microbial physiology and genetics will be emphasized along with a survey of applied microbiology in the fields of medicine, agriculture, food safety and ecology. This lab-intensive course will focus on laboratory techniques and procedures used in research and industry including cultivation, identification, enumeration, genetic engineering and aseptic technique. The effect of microorganisms on human health, specifically epidemiology and the microbiome will be explored. The manipulation of microorganisms in ecological bioremediation, food production and preservation, and pharmaceutical development will be investigated. This course is intended to satisfy any curriculum that requires introductory-level microbiology. It will challenge you to use scientific inquiry skills to investigate and analyze data and will allow you to examine the diversity of microbes on Earth and their importance in the biosphere.

From the birth of the cosmos to the mesmerizing death of stars, this course offers a comprehensive exploration of space that will leave you with a profound understanding of the celestial wonders that surround us.

This course is intended to provide a thorough understanding of the relationship between economics and social relationships. Students will become familiar with the basic principles of markets, how economic resources are organized, and how economics and sociology come together.

Engineering is a problem-solving profession that is both academically rigorous and creatively demanding. This course will introduce you to a broad spectrum of engineering fields and provide a strong foundation for understanding its key tools and concepts.

You will learn to collect, analyze and interpret physical and biological trace evidence such as fingerprints, hair, fibers and DNA. This laboratory-based course will allow you to use logical thought processes and scientific inquiry skills to interpret evidence and analyze criminal psychology.

Diseases challenge scientists to unlock the most complex puzzles of illness, disability and the body's response. Beginning with an overview of human anatomy and physiology, students will probe the nature of disease with new understandings of genetics, pathology and epidemiology.

Computer programming impacts social media, digital games, and music, and leads to medical breakthroughs, business innovation and engineering marvels. Using real-world examples from Google, Netflix and other corporate trendsetters, you'll use programming principles and applications in final projects.

Discover the intricacies of your brain, what motivates us to learn and how to become a lifelong learner. The course will delve into the sometimes surprising new research about practical strategies we can use to learn faster, remember more and think more creatively.

Is art capable of influencing social change? How have artists used their work as a form of activism? In this class, students will explore how art and visual culture uphold or challenge systems of power and social norms, and learn how to recognize these forces at work in visual media. Students will think expansively about what shapes the visual, and how the visual shapes us. Students will develop the skills to critically analyze the visual materials we encounter in our everyday lives. We will engage with a wide array of media including art, comics, animation, television, performance, social media, activism and exhibitions. Students will read scholars from art history, visual culture studies, media studies, LGBTQ+ studies, critical race theory, and disability studies, and participate in field trips to local museums and galleries.

Environmental Studies is interdisciplinary, embracing several unifying themes, including The Living World, Global Change and Sustainability. Our focus will be on assessing and promoting the Natural Capital of local ecosystems (deciduous forests, prairies and lakes). We will explore different social science approaches to interpreting the relationship between the environment and society at various scales, from the local to the global. This course will trace the social origins of environmental concerns, their social impacts and the different responses they engender. Students will have an opportunity to interact with UW researchers, educators and campus leaders. In the end, students will grasp the values of the natural world and the tools for protecting it.

This course will investigate the impact that chemical products have on consumers' daily lives. Major topics may include food additives, prescription and non-prescription drugs, fuels, pesticides, detergents, synthetic fibers and plastics.

Summer Arts Clinic offers you the opportunity to: Learn from experienced educators and arts professionals from UW–Madison and around the country. Develop new artistic skills and explore existing ones. Meet and collaborate with a community of peers with multiple and diverse artistic voices and interests. Explore education and career opportunities in the arts. Develop and express your unique, creative style. Learn to tell your story in a variety of ways through the arts.

Students will prepare themselves to be college-ready through a variety of interactive online workshops and in-person experiential learning. They will better understand the holistic approach to university admissions in the U.S. and the jargon that accompanies the admissions and educational process. They will identify their weaknesses in study and time management skills essential for college success and develop a plan to improve these habits.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the world of healthcare but unsure which medical path suits you best? Insight to Medical Fields of Study is designed to help you explore the diverse and exciting world of healthcare professions. Whether you dream of becoming a physician, nurse, researcher, therapist or medical administrator, this course provides a comprehensive foundation to make informed decisions about your future in medicine. By the end of the class, you will be better equipped to make informed decisions about your future career in the medical field. This course is an excellent foundation for high school students aspiring to pursue a medical profession. Join us on this exciting journey of discovery and exploration in the ever-evolving realm of medicine.

Have you ever wondered what goes into planning a major sporting event like the ones on TV? Are you curious about how athletes influence society? More Than Just a Game is the class for you! Sports and popular culture are very intertwined in our world. In this class, you will delve into the relationships that sports media has with social, cultural and political structures. Learn how sports media impacts activism and social change. Topics may include ethics, the role of celebrity figures as role models and gender equity. Within this context, this course will cover a variety of topics related to sports business including career options in sports, consumers in sports, ticket and sponsorship sales concepts, broadcasting and social media, event planning, uniform designs, community relations and communications, and a look at future industry considerations.

High school students will be taken on a journey of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) as they chart their own educational and career pathways to become the STEM superstars of the future. Students will investigate their own interests, values and skills, as well as explore the dynamic world of STEM careers and trends.

Are you curious about cutting-edge biology and genetic engineering? Want to explore the latest innovations in medicine, agriculture and environmental engineering? This course will introduce you to the latest developments in biotechnology including personalized medicine, CRISPR technology, synthetic biology and sustainable environmental practices. This laboratory-focused course will allow you to experience biotechnology tools such as restriction enzymes, gel electrophoresis, microbial culturing and genetic engineering. In addition, opportunities to visit research laboratories on the University of Wisconsin campus and area biotechnology companies will introduce you to possible careers in the biotechnological field.

Are you interested in Pre-Vet studies or animal sciences? Immerse yourself in the world of veterinary science. This class is for anyone interested in ethical and scientific questions about animals and our relationship with them! This course will help you to learn about topics such as animal nutrition, genetics, physiology and welfare of a variety of animal species. You will gain an appreciation for the complex relationship between animals and humans and how this may impact society. Through debate and discussion, classroom exercises, and wet labs, you will gain an appreciation for the complex relationships between humans, animals and the environment. In addition, you can explore the many career and education opportunities related to working with animals.

The 2024 presidential election cycle promises to be momentous in various ways, including highlighting established and rising national leaders and providing a venue to debate vital issues being contested at the national, state and local levels. In July, Milwaukee will host the Republican National Convention, and in August, Democrats will hold their National Convention in Chicago. This is a unique moment to reassess why and how 'elections have consequences' in the American political context. In this class we will interact with guest speakers who are experts in elections and politics and explore as a group and individually some prominent policy and political issues. Elections do have consequences in terms of political processes and outcomes. This course examines the key players (including candidates, media, interest groups and governmental officials), and policies that are central to the 2024 election cycle, with a grounding in U.S. political theory and history.