Hey Hawkeyes and Future Hawkeyes! Registration is right around the corner. Are you in the market for some good class ideas? I am a senior microbiology major and a sociology minor, and I am pursuing a certificate in public health. Needless to say, I have had a good variety of classes under my belt. Here are a few of my favorites throughout my time at Iowa!

1. Finding Patient Zero CPH:2230
   This course is a great introduction to both microbiology and public health. While covering common and recent pandemics, this class had a very light homework load and even had days where the class was canceled and we had a take-home assignment instead!
2. Finding Your Path In Higher Education EPLS:1240
   The name of this course is a little misleading. Instead of finding your specific path in higher education, take this course to examine the barriers to obtaining a college education in America. I am not a history buff, but coming from a disadvantaged community growing up, this class was fascinating and showed how impressive it is for anyone (especially those from a disadvantaged background) to come to college.
3. Immunology and Human Disease MICR:3147
   I have to throw my favorite class from my major in here! This class, taken after general microbiology fueled my curiosity for pursuing medicine. Instead of learning about specific disease-causing agents, this microbiology course examined a body’s response to pathogens and becoming sick.
4. Social and Psychological Determinants of Health CPH:1800
   This class is what started my love for public health. The lectures were about things in everyday life that become barriers to good health. It really puts life into a new perspective!
5. President’s Leadership Class LS:1022
   This is an application-based class, you can look into applying here. If you get in, you can look forward to working with peers who excel in teamwork, service, and leadership while getting to meet the president of the university and other campus leaders who act as guest lecturers of the course.
6. Medical Sociology SOC:3510
   This was one of my favorite elective classes. Here, you will learn about the functioning of society as it relates to the healthcare system in the US and across the world. For me, this class was online so you could also complete work at your own pace.
7. Creative Writing Studio Workshop CW:1800
   As a gen-ed, many people take this class. If you are lucky enough to get a pretty cool instructor like mine, this class is a breeze. Somehow, I didn’t even have to write for this course, I just had to analyze other’s writing!
8. Principles of Social Psychology SOC:1220
   Interested in sociology or psychology? See how these two intersect! This is such a unique class offered by the university and is a relatively easy one to take. It helped me refresh my memory on psych/soc for the MCAT and I believe it is a requirement for some majors in the Tippie College of Business. Overall, a very well-rounded class!