Historical instructor

MARK BERRES

Adjusted rating
RMP difficulty
captured reviews
About this rating

Raw average: 4.47/5 from 17 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.

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

What students say

Original student reviews · all captured dates

ZOO520 · course not matched
Quality 5/5Difficulty 4/5
Mark Berres, is a tremendous professor. This is not an easy class. However, if you are passionate about ornithology then you will do well naturally. Mark may have been the best professor I have had a Madison yet.
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ZOO521 · course not matched
Quality 4/5Difficulty 5/5
The class was too hard. The average on the first midterm was a 65 and he didn't curve it at all. Wouldn't take it again.
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ZOO520 · course not matched
Quality 3/5Difficulty 4/5
He's tough, but pushes you to do well and in the end it's worth it. Most people improved with each exam;physics unit was challenging and boring. He makes you think. 3 exams each with a take-home portion. He's very passionate which is inspiring. Go to lecture to do well. Exam#3 was very interesting. Lots of material to understand. Not a lot of work
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ANSCI520 · course not matched
Quality 5/5Difficulty 3/5
Captivating material, extreme enthusiasm and three opportunities for grading. Berres keeps it real.He encourages critical thinking and expects it on exams. While preparing for these three essay tests, make your own questions relating to the material, it will help! Study in groups as well! Enjoy being in the presence of this passionate instructor.
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ZOO520 · course not matched
Quality 5/5Difficulty 3/5
Pay attention to the course level. This truly is a 500 level course. Not your average sparrow here. Go to lecture unless you want to stare at a blank exam. Be warned. Otherwise, this man is a godsend! Berres shows the application of physics and math to the biology of birds. Who knew??? Also, whistle "Mockingjay" theme in class and see what happens.
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ZOO520 · course not matched
Quality 5/5Difficulty 4/5
Great, enthusiastic lecturer! Expect to study and think, not just regurgitate from lecture or the textbook. He is tough but helpful and friendly, especially if you go to office hours. He obviously loves birds and teaching. You really have to go to class to do well.
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Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.

Classes with MARK BERRES

No teaching recorded in Fall 2026.

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Recorded teaching history

Distinct courses recorded per term

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Browse recorded courses
TermCourseTitle
Spring 2016ZOOLOGY 990Research
Fall 2015ZOOLOGY 990Research
Spring 2015ANSCI 990Research
Spring 2015F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 520Ornithology
Spring 2015F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 521Birds of Southern Wisconsin
Spring 2015ZOOLOGY 682Senior Honors Thesis
Spring 2015ZOOLOGY 990Research
Fall 2014ANSCI 299Independent Study
Fall 2014ANSCI 699Special Problems
Fall 2014ANSCI 990Research
Fall 2014ZOOLOGY 299Directed Studies in Zoology
Fall 2014ZOOLOGY 405Introduction to Museum Studies in the Natural Sciences
Fall 2014ZOOLOGY 681Senior Honors Thesis
Fall 2014ZOOLOGY 699Directed Studies in Zoology
Fall 2014ZOOLOGY 990Research
Spring 2014ANSCI 681Senior Honor Thesis
Spring 2014ANSCI 990Research
Spring 2014F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 520Ornithology
Spring 2014F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 521Birds of Southern Wisconsin
Spring 2014ZOOLOGY 699Directed Studies in Zoology
Spring 2014ZOOLOGY 990Research
Fall 2013ANSCI 375Special Topics
Fall 2013ANSCI 990Research
Fall 2013ZOOLOGY 400Topics in Biology
Fall 2013ZOOLOGY 405Introduction to Museum Studies in the Natural Sciences
Fall 2013ZOOLOGY 699Directed Studies in Zoology
Fall 2013ZOOLOGY 990Research
Spring 2013ANSCI 990Research
Spring 2013F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 520Ornithology
Spring 2013F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 521Birds of Southern Wisconsin
Spring 2013ZOOLOGY 699Directed Studies in Zoology
Spring 2013ZOOLOGY 990Research
Fall 2012ANSCI 299Independent Study
Fall 2012ANSCI 990Research
Fall 2012ZOOLOGY 405Introduction to Museum Studies in the Natural Sciences
Fall 2012ZOOLOGY 699Directed Studies in Zoology
Spring 2012ANSCI 299Independent Study
Spring 2012ANSCI 375Special Topics
Spring 2012ANSCI 699Special Problems
Spring 2012ANSCI 990Research
Spring 2012F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 520Ornithology
Spring 2012F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 521Birds of Southern Wisconsin
Spring 2012ZOOLOGY 990Research
Fall 2011ANSCI 699Special Problems
Fall 2011ANSCI 990Research
Fall 2011ENVIRST 999Advanced Independent Study
Fall 2011ZOOLOGY 400Topics in Biology
Fall 2011ZOOLOGY 990Research
Spring 2011ANSCI 990Research
Spring 2011F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 520Ornithology
Spring 2011F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 521Birds of Southern Wisconsin
Spring 2011ZOOLOGY 699Directed Studies in Zoology
Fall 2010ANSCI 699Special Problems
Fall 2010ANSCI 990Research
Fall 2010ZOOLOGY 400Topics in Biology
Spring 2010ANSCI 990Research
Spring 2010F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 520Ornithology
Spring 2010F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 521Birds of Southern Wisconsin
Fall 2009ANSCI 990Research
Fall 2009ZOOLOGY 400Topics in Biology
Spring 2009ANSCI 990Research
Spring 2009F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 520Ornithology
Spring 2009F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 521Birds of Southern Wisconsin
Fall 2008ANSCI 990Research
Fall 2008ZOOLOGY 400Topics in Biology
Spring 2008ANSCI 990Research
Spring 2008F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 520Ornithology
Spring 2008F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 521Birds of Southern Wisconsin
Spring 2008ZOOLOGY 699Directed Studies in Zoology
Fall 2007ANSCI 990Research
Fall 2007ZOOLOGY 699Directed Studies in Zoology
Spring 2007ANSCI 990Research
Spring 2007F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 520Ornithology
Spring 2007ZOOLOGY 682Senior Honors Thesis
Fall 2006ANSCI 990Research

Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.

Instructor identity & provenance 
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