10 Best Classes at Dartmouth

So, you’re thinking about Dartmouth, or maybe you’re already considering what courses to register for. Either way, you’re in the right place. We’ll talk about the best classes at Dartmouth—the ones students rave about, that’ll open your mind, build real skills, and make college more fun.

If you’re into tech, social science, the environment, or just trying to figure out what excites you, Dartmouth offers some seriously unique classes beyond textbooks.

• What Are the Best Classes at Dartmouth?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Classes at Dartmouth?

Dartmouth is currently ranked #15 among national universities by U.S. News & World Report. Darmouth’s ranking is thanks to its strong academics, high student satisfaction, and focus on innovative learning.

Dartmouth’s commitment is reflected in standout courses that blend real-world relevance and personal growth. For a deeper look, the official Dartmouth course catalog showcases the full range of academic offerings.

Meanwhile, here are the best classes at Dartmouth:

1. ENGS 12 – Design Thinking

Department: Engineering

If you’re the kind of person who’s always asking, “Why isn’t this better?” or “What if we tried this instead?”, then ENGS 12 Design Thinking is totally your kind of class. This course is all about helping you tap into your creativity and turn great ideas into real solutions.

You’ll learn how to think like an inventor, a problem solver, and a designer all at once. And the best part? You learn about and do design every week, with fun and hands-on projects using everything from paper to digital tools.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll dive into:

• Design principles. Learn what makes something actually work (not just look cool).
• Human need-finding. Discover how to understand what people really need.
• Brainstorming + heuristics. Pick up tools to generate tons of ideas and spot the good ones fast.
• Thinking by analogy + scenario building. Learn how to make connections and predict how your design will work in the real world.
• Visual thinking. Practice sketching and prototyping to bring your ideas to life.

With only 20 students per class, it’s a tight-knit space where your voice matters and you’re encouraged to experiment without fear. Whether you’re designing a product, an app, or a whole experience, this course is all about helping you become a creative problem-solver who can make life better one idea at a time.

2. SOCY 75 – Neighborhoods and Health

Department: Sociology

If you’ve ever wondered why some neighborhoods feel healthier or safer than others, or why people living just a few blocks apart can have totally different health outcomes, SOCY 75: Neighborhoods and Health is the class that will open your eyes.

In this course, you’ll explore how the place you live can actually shape your physical and mental health in surprising ways. You’ll learn how things like air quality, walkability, access to healthy food, and even how much green space is around you can affect everything from depression to diabetes.

You’ll dive into real research from fields like sociology, public health, epidemiology, and geography to understand how neighborhoods impact:

• Chronic illnesses like obesity and asthma
• Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression
• Health behaviors (like exercise, diet, and sleep)
• Birth outcomes and life expectancy
• Violence and injury rates
• Social inequality and environmental justice

As one of the best classes at Dartmouth, this class is interactive, with a mix of lectures, seminar-style discussions, and student-led presentations. And the coolest part? You’ll get to do your independent research project on a topic that matters to you.

If you’re interested in healthcare, social justice, or just want to understand how the world around you affects people’s lives, this course will give you a whole new perspective on your community and probably even your neighborhood.

3. COSC 25.01 – UI/UX Design I

Department: Computer Science

If you’ve ever used an app or website that just felt right, like everything was easy to find, fun to use, and just made sense, there’s a good chance a UI/UX designer was behind it. In COSC 25.01: UI/UX Design I, you’ll learn how to create those kinds of digital experiences yourself.

As one of the best classes at Dartmouth, this course is all about designing with the user in mind, and you don’t need advanced coding skills to get started. It’s perfect if you’re curious about tech, design, psychology, or all three.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• User Interface (UI) basics. Fonts, colors, layouts, and how visuals guide people through a page.
• User Experience (UX) principles. Empathy, usability, and designing for how people actually think and behave.
• Human-centered design thinking. Focusing on real users’ needs and pain points.
• Design tools of the trade. You’ll get hands-on practice with Figma, Notion, and Slack.
• Weekly real-world-style projects. From solo designs to team collabs that mirror tech industry work.

You’ll leave this class with a strong design portfolio, a deep understanding of what makes digital products enjoyable to use, and the skills to create your own. Plus, since UI/UX design is one of the fastest-growing fields in tech right now, you’ll be stepping into a world of exciting opportunities with no heavy coding required.

4. SOCY 31 – Youth and Society

Department: Sociology

In SOCY 31: Youth and Society, you’ll explore how childhood and adolescence are actually shaped by your environment, your community, and bigger forces like media, race, gender, and class. This class breaks down what it means to grow up and helps you understand the social world around you, including your own experiences.

Here’s some of what you’ll dig into:

• What it really means to be a child or teen in today’s world (and how that’s changed over time)
• How things like race, class, gender, and sexuality shape growing up
• What “popularity” looks like at different ages and why it matters
• How your friendships shift as you move from preschool to college
• The role parents, media, and corporations play in shaping childhood
• How kids create their own cultures through music, toys, fashion, and games

You’ll also learn how sociologists study kids’ lives using real research methods, and you’ll get to apply what you know to real-life examples, including your own experiences.

By the end, you’ll not only understand more about the lives of children and teens, but also be able to think critically about how society shapes all of us from a young age.

5. EARS 14 – Meteorology

Department: Earth Sciences

If you’ve ever found yourself getting way too excited about a thunderstorm, checking your weather app five times a day, or wondering how tornadoes even form, then EARS 14: Meteorology is totally for you.

This course breaks down the science behind everyday weather and those wild, extreme events you see on the news, and helps you understand why they happen the way they do.

You’ll start with the basics, like:

• What’s actually in the atmosphere and how it works.
• How the Earth’s heat engine drives weather systems.
• The science behind temperature, moisture, wind, and air masses.

Then it gets even cooler:

• How thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes form.
• How to read weather patterns and make real forecasts.
• What climate change means for the future of weather.
• How meteorologists collect and analyze weather data using real tools.

As one of the best classes at Dartmouth, this class is all about observing the world around you and using data to figure out what’s going on up there in the sky. You’ll do hands-on projects, learn to track storms, and get better at analyzing and communicating scientific info.

6. Writing 5 – Expository Writing

Department: Institute for Writing and Rhetoric

Writing 5: Expository Writing is one of those classes you’ll thank yourself for taking. Every Dartmouth student takes it, and there’s a reason it seriously levels up how you write, think, and argue your point.

In this class, you’ll learn how to break down complex texts, ask deeper questions, and build strong arguments that actually convince people.

The best part? Each section of Writing 5 has its unique theme, so you can pick one that really interests you, like pop culture, science fiction, identity, or ethics. No matter which theme you choose, you’ll explore:

• How to closely read challenging texts
• How to organize your thoughts clearly and persuasively
• How to revise and edit your work like a pro
• How to support your ideas with real evidence
• How to workshop and give feedback in a small class setting (only 16 students!)

Whether you’re debating in class, writing about your favorite show, or breaking down big ideas in science or politics, Writing 5 helps you make your voice clear, strong, and persuasive. If you want to sound smarter in everything you do, this class is the move.

7. COLT 001 – Read the World

Department: Comparative Literature

Think you’ve got reading down? This class might surprise you. In COLT 001, you’ll explore how reading goes far beyond books.

Every day, you interpret faces, signs, buildings, and conversations. This course helps you understand how you do that and why it matters. It’s all about learning how people create and share meaning in different ways, across cultures and formats.

You’ll dig into:

• Theories about reading, interpretation, and communication
• Literature and art from around the world
• Creative forms like poetry, film, and images
• The role of language, culture, and history in shaping what we understand

You’ll work closely with your classmates in small groups, take on quick assignments (many graded credit/no credit), and engage in big conversations about how stories and symbols affect how we see the world.

The rhythm of the course is fast, but the support is strong. If you’re curious about culture, identity, and how people understand one another, COLT 001 will give you a whole new lens to see the world through.

8. TUCK 002 – Principles of Marketing

Department: Tuck

If you’ve ever wondered how your favorite brands know exactly what you like, this standout class at Dartmouth is for you.

TUCK 002 breaks down how businesses figure out what people want and how they create products, messages, and experiences to match. You’ll get to look at real companies and explore how they use strategy, creativity, and data to stay ahead of the competition.

In this course, you’ll cover topics like:

• How to build a marketing strategy from scratch
• What makes people choose one product over another
• The psychology behind branding and communication
• Ways to design and deliver value to customers
• How marketing works in industries like tech, healthcare, and nonprofits
• Tools and techniques to solve marketing problems (like frameworks and models)

You’ll also work on building your communication and teamwork skills, things that really matter in any career.

As one of the best classes at Dartmouth, this class is a great pick if you’re into creative thinking, business strategy, or just want to understand how companies grab your attention (and your loyalty). Plus, it looks solid on your resume, no matter what you major in.

9. ENVS 2 – Introduction to Environmental Science

Department: Environmental Studies Program

ENVS 2 is a great starting point for diving into topics like climate change, pollution, and sustainability. And with Professor Morgan Peach leading the way, the energy in the room makes even the tough topics feel approachable.

You’ll study environmental challenges by learning the science behind them:

• How pollution affects air, water, and soil
• Why biodiversity matters and how it’s being lost
• What causes land degradation, and how can it
• How energy use impacts the planet
• What recycling actually does (and doesn’t) do
• How human population growth is linked to environmental pressure

This course will give you the tools to think critically about environmental problems and ask intelligent questions about how to solve them. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of the science behind these issues and be ready to tackle them in the future.

10. Speech 20 – Public Speaking

Department: Speech

Let’s be honest: public speaking can be pretty terrifying. But in Speech 20, you’ll turn that fear into confidence.

As one of the best classes at Dartmouth, this course will help you understand what makes a good public speaker and give you the chance to practice and improve. You’ll learn from both ancient techniques and modern communication strategies that’ll help you become a better speaker in any situation.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn about:

• Ancient rhetorical principles and how they apply to modern speeches
• Techniques for organizing and refining your speech topics
• Strategies for building strong arguments and supporting your points
• Tips for memorization and improving your delivery
• How to read your audience and adjust your speech accordingly
• Constructive feedback from your peers to help you improve

The goal of Speech 20 isn’t to copy others but to develop your voice as a speaker. You’ll choose topics that matter to you, then practice delivering them in a way that connects with your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best classes to take at Dartmouth?

Dartmouth offers many cool classes, from design thinking to public speaking, meteorology, and youth sociology. Whether you’re into tech, science, or literature, there’s something for everyone. Classes like ENGS 12 (Design Thinking) and SOCY 75 (Neighborhoods and Health) are favorites for many students.

2. How competitive is it to get into Dartmouth?

Dartmouth’s acceptance rate is around 5.4%, with 31,656 applicants for the Class of 2028 and only 1,710 getting accepted. This makes it a competitive school, so it’s important to put together a strong application. You’ll want to ensure your grades, test scores, and personal essays reflect your passion and dedication.

3. What are the best things about Dartmouth College?

Dartmouth is known for its strong undergraduate focus, flexible D-Plan academic calendar, and tight-knit community. Students benefit from close faculty mentorship, small class sizes, and abundant research opportunities. Its scenic New Hampshire setting encourages outdoor adventure, while long-standing traditions like the Outing Club and Winter Carnival add to a vibrant campus experience.

Takeaways

• Dartmouth is known for offering unique classes that blend creativity, real-world application, and student-led learning.
• From environmental science to UI/UX design, the best classes at Dartmouth go beyond lectures and engage students through hands-on projects and interdisciplinary thinking.
• Whether you’re into public speaking, sociology, or building your first app, Dartmouth’s most unique classes help you grow skills that matter far beyond the classroom.
• Getting into Dartmouth takes more than good grades. Working with a college admissions expert can help you stand out and show why you’re a perfect fit for the school.