In an innovative course at Nebraska Wesleyan University, students with different majors are coming together to master an unlikely subject: coffee brewing.
The course, Special Projects 2980, was inspired by a casual conversation between professors last spring. "We thought it would be interesting to recreate something similar to a scene in Breaking Bad where they build a coffee maker in the lab," Brent McKain, assistant professor of math and computer science, says. "We applied for a grant, got the equipment, and structured the course over the summer."
The professors then invited students from math, psychology, chemistry, and physics to form interdisciplinary teams, each exploring different brewing methods such as AeroPress, pour-over, and French press.
Physics major Georgia Crandall, from Overton, Nebraska, is part of the AeroPress team. "We’re using all sorts of factors like grind size, water temperature, and brew time to see what makes the best cup,” she says. "This project is more than just science; it’s about understanding how people’s preferences differ and why. It’s a great chance to work with others who have unique skills.”
McKain helped develop the class with Kate Weskamp, assistant professor of chemistry, Maria Becker, assistant professor of physics, and Kelsey Thiem, assistant professor of psychology and social psychology.
McKain emphasizes the importance of blending skills from each major. “Each student brings something unique. Our chemistry students understand the brewing chemistry, psychologists focus on survey design, and physicists often bridge the gap between scientific analysis and real-world application,” McKain says.
The class has already started drawing attention on campus, with students, faculty, and staff stopping by to sample the different brews. NWU’s campus community took a survey, which asked them to identify their favorite cup.
At the end of the semester, a panel of professional baristas will judge the final products to declare the best brew. McKain says the project has been a rewarding experience for everyone involved. "It's brought people from all corners of campus into one room for coffee and conversation—a meaningful community moment."
For Crandall and her classmates, the project has been eye-opening in unexpected ways. "I didn’t think my physics background would overlap with psychology or data analytics, but it’s amazing how much we can learn from each other,” she says.
Beyond brewing the perfect cup, students are developing skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and cross-disciplinary communication. By the semester’s end, they’ll have had not only a hands-on education in coffee science but also a crash course in collaborative learning that’s likely to stick with them long after a cup of coffee.