Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
I thought he did a really nice job with his section. He is very responsive, and I thought his lectures showed he wanted to help us succeed. Overall, very matter-of-fact and good at instructing a tough unit.Rate My Professors ↗
Let me retake an exam I had missed, very understanding guy. Do all the practice exams for this class they will make it a lot easierRate My Professors ↗
Pennella is a good professor for the tougher unit in Biochem 501. He attempts to make the course more easy to follow but it's really up to you if you're into Anabolism. The class is exam heavy with 4 exams but each exam is noncumulative and easy if you put in the time to study with the practice exams and drawing out the complex pathways.Rate My Professors ↗
Despite some of the other ratings I found him to be the easiest to understand and follow along of all three lecturers. He is also extremely accommodating with no complaints, which I really appreciate.Rate My Professors ↗
Very kind and cares about students. Very difficult material but, so he makes the effort to hand write some of the material and organize it in a way that helps students.Rate My Professors ↗
Dr. Pennella's lectures were always very interesting. Outside of class he was also very friendly and showed he cared about the students.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
BIOCHEM 100 introduces students to the biochemistry discipline, department, faculty research, university resources, and career paths.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=18 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.93 GPA, 97.5% A/AB (n=118 letter grades); Spring 2026: 3.91 GPA, 95.5% A/AB (n=44 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026BIOCHEM 104 introduces molecular life and evolution, exploring current biotechnology and genetic topics to foster scientific literacy.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Mario Pennella demonstrates expertise by conveying information clearly and concisely, though he can be monotone. He is willing to answer questions during and after class.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026BIOCHEM 299 is an independent study course where students conduct research under the direct guidance of a Biochemistry faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2025: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=23 letter grades); Spring 2026: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=21 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Covers the chemistry, nutrition, and metabolism of biological systems.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Mario Pennella is a caring course coordinator who actively improves lectures and supports student success. Reviewers highlight his accessibility, willingness to meet outside class, and responsiveness. He is described as accommodating and helpful.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | BIOCHEM 100 | Biochemistry First-year Seminar |
| Fall 2026 | BIOCHEM 104 | Molecules to Life and the Nature of Science |
| Fall 2026 | BIOCHEM 299 | Independent Study |
| Fall 2026 | BIOCHEM 501 | Introduction to Biochemistry |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
{
"instructor_uid": "instructor_0539b758cbe711a88e0b8584",
"source": "enrollment",
"source_instructor_id": "mpennella",
"identity_basis": "netid",
"identity_status": "source_identified",
"name": "Mario Pennella",
"email": "MPENNELLA@WISC.EDU",
"first_observed_at": "2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00",
"last_observed_at": "2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00",
"ratings": {
"review_count": 30,
"quality": 3.73,
"difficulty": 3.43,
"quality_count": 30,
"difficulty_count": 30,
"profile_id": "rmp:2304717",
"source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2304717",
"match_basis": "exact_name",
"observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:20:49.151813+00:00",
"courses": {
"course_82b02a0645c630ce73cc6253": {
"review_count": 27,
"quality": 3.67,
"difficulty": 3.48,
"quality_count": 27,
"difficulty_count": 27
},
"course_d05294a8b47a4fb823115de2": {
"review_count": 1,
"quality": 3,
"difficulty": 2,
"quality_count": 1,
"difficulty_count": 1
}
},
"bayesian_quality": 3.7018743134186383,
"prior_mean": 3.6596857835465957,
"prior_weight": 20
},
"current": true,
"courses": [
{
"course_uid": "course_82b02a0645c630ce73cc6253",
"course_id": "BIOCHEM 501",
"title": "INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY",
"credits_min": 3,
"credits_max": 3,
"gpa": 3.236
},
{
"course_uid": "course_c691e1e41972dcf5d1ad91fe",
"course_id": "BIOCHEM 299",
"title": "INDEPENDENT STUDY",
"credits_min": 1,
"credits_max": 3,
"gpa": 3.992
},
{
"course_uid": "course_d05294a8b47a4fb823115de2",
"course_id": "BIOCHEM 104",
"title": "MOLECULES TO LIFE AND THE NATURE OF SCIENCE",
"credits_min": 3,
"credits_max": 3,
"gpa": 3.939
},
{
"course_uid": "course_efe02c42716591dd16a8fc03",
"course_id": "BIOCHEM 100",
"title": "BIOCHEMISTRY FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR",
"credits_min": 1,
"credits_max": 1,
"gpa": 3.939
}
],
"revision": "e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349",
"instructor_url": "/instructors/MARIO_PENNELLA"
}