Fall 2026

Process Synthesis

CBE 250 teaches process synthesis, focusing on the invention of large-scale, low-cost processing methods for various materials.

offering recorded3 credits
Recorded instructors · Fall 2026 Sean Palecek3.9/5

Summary

1 / 7

The course is extremely homework-heavy, with assignments described as long, tedious, and sometimes taking an entire day to complete. Reviewers note that homework is harder than exams, which are described as engaging and well-written.

Grade history

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average GPA
letter grades
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AB
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All recorded terms · compare terms & instructors

Prerequisites

Course map

CHEM 116, 329, or concurrent enrollment

CBE 250 used by

“Used by” includes alternatives; linked courses may have other requirements. This is a best-effort interpretation; check the catalog requirements above.

Prerequisite text tree

Professors

Fall 2026

Sean Palecek

Adjusted rating
RMP difficulty
captured reviews
About this rating

Raw average: 4.31/5 from 13 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.

For this course: 4.3/5 raw quality · 3.8/5 difficulty · 12 reviews

RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.

Sean Palecek is described as a clear explainer who provides helpful examples and remains accessible outside of class. Reviewers note that while he may lack enthusiasm, he is straightforward and fair. One reviewer criticizes his use of pop quizzes and exam alignment, contrasting with others who find his grading generous and his support valuable.

Recent recorded grades — Spring 2020: 3.50 GPA, 70.5% A/AB (n=44 letter grades); Fall 2020: 3.03 GPA, 43.5% A/AB (n=62 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.15 GPA, 50.0% A/AB (n=70 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.

Historical instructors & teaching patterns

Historical reviews of Katelyn Dahlke: Sean Palecek is the current instructor, but reviews for Katelyn Dahlke highlight significant concerns. Dahlke’s lectures lack problem-solving depth and notes are messy, while her homework often precedes material coverage. Students also report her removing students from class and providing lackluster email support.

BRIAN PFLEGER is recorded teaching in Fall 2009, Spring 2013, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

KATELYN DAHLKE is recorded teaching in Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

REGINA MURPHY is recorded teaching in Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Fall 2016, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

SEAN PALECEK is recorded teaching in Fall 2006, Fall 2008, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Spring 2017, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Fall 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

THATCHER W ROOT is recorded teaching in Fall 2007, Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2014, Fall 2017, Fall 2019, Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Spring 2026. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

Calendar & sections

Fall 2026

Schedule loads here as you scroll.

SectionModeEnrolled / capacityWaitlist
LEC 002Classroom Instruction70 / 640
DIS 301Classroom Instruction41 / 640

Times are Central. Select a meeting for details; export includes recorded dates for the selected sections. Enrollment reflects scan time.

Meeting source records
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Student experience

the class

Sean Palecek is described as straightforward, clear, and helpful, with students noting he is fair and accessible. Reviewers highlight his engaging lectures and willingness to help, recommending the class for its clear expectations and supportive environment.

Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 2.59 GPA, 31.2% A/AB (n=48 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.15 GPA, 50.0% A/AB (n=70 letter grades); Spring 2026: 2.95 GPA, 42.6% A/AB (n=47 letter grades).

difficulty & workload

The course is extremely homework-heavy, with assignments described as long, tedious, and sometimes taking an entire day to complete. Reviewers note that homework is harder than exams, which are described as engaging and well-written.

Students find office hours and discussion times extremely useful for working through difficult homework and understanding topics. Palecek is praised for being available and willing to help outside of class, contributing to a positive learning experience.

Topics

  • Processing of water, chemicals, petroleum, food, drugs, and wastes

Skills

  • Process invention and design for large-scale, low-cost material processing

Grades

Historical instructor

Fall 2026 · Projected

Before grades are released

– average GPA

Approximate 80% prediction interval

About this estimate

The course’s semester-average GPA, not an individual student’s grade. The center uses 5 same-season terms, weighted toward recent results.

The range uses the finite-sample 80th-percentile rank of absolute errors from earlier same-season forecasts. Each forecast uses only records from earlier terms. At least four forecasts are required; bounds are rounded outward and limited to 0–4. This is an empirical estimate: changing instructors or grading policies can reduce its coverage.

8 earlier forecasts · 0.10 GPA average error.

Grades over time

Through Fall 2026

More grade details Grade mix, volume & source data

Where this course fits relative to

Latest available grades · Spring 2026 · all course levels

GPA

Higher than % of other courses in this group.

Course GPAs · red marks this course’s range

letter grades

More recorded grades than % of other courses in this group.

Typical course in this group: letter grades.

About this comparison

1283 courses over the same term, each with at least 30 recorded letter grades. Cross-listed courses count once. GPA is not a measure of difficulty or teaching quality. The typical course is the median by recorded grade count; tied values are not counted as lower. Grade counts describe course scale, not unique students or typical section size.

Descriptions compare GPA with this group’s average: at least 0.20 higher or lower; otherwise close to average. Section size uses median recorded enrollment: small up to 30, mid-sized 31–99, large 100+. Lectures and discussion/lab sections are described separately.

Sources & history

UW–Madison

Catalog & offerings

Descriptions, prerequisites, and recorded course offerings.

Catalog observation history

Observations at scan time; dates do not imply when a catalog change took effect.

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Selected offering source records
CBE 250 · Fall 2026

Process Synthesis

Recorded 2026-09-07
Raw records 
[
  {
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "semester": "1272",
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00",
    "offering_id": "1272:220:002675",
    "course_id": "CBE 250",
    "course_uid": "course_615ffa9f09a63710d1f4a9cb",
    "term_id": "1272",
    "source_course_id": "002675",
    "source_subject_id": "220",
    "title": "Process Synthesis",
    "credits_min": 3,
    "credits_max": 3,
    "typically_offered": "Fall, Spring"
  }
]
Rate My Professors

Student reviews

Original comments behind the course and instructor summaries.

Read original reviews
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Madgrades

Grade history

Recorded grade distributions by term, section, and instructor.

Explore recorded grades
Dataset & model

Recorded 2026-09-07

View the dataset on Hugging Face
Model outputs & technical records
nvidia/Qwen3.6-35B-A3B-NVFP4
LLM outputs across runs
Download part 1
Full model traces

Recorded model configuration, reasoning, and tool conversations.

Download part 1
Model & dataset provenance 
{
  "model": "nvidia/Qwen3.6-35B-A3B-NVFP4",
  "model_revision": "1355db6a052410cfd62085d94b58866fd0f2c3c5",
  "task_version": "14",
  "output_id": "cde9ae8ade89e42564d281d33f1d6d75cbfd5d2c6deb4a66a25c66f02b37355b",
  "requirements_status": "needs_review",
  "dataset_revision": "e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349",
  "observed_at": "2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00"
}