Research Highlights 1848 – 1899

1882 – The first master’s degree is awarded, 34 years after the university’s founding.

1883 – The Biochemistry Department is founded as the Department of Agricultural Chemistry Since then, its contributions have dramatically changed understanding of the chemical basis of life and illuminated how a molecular understanding of basic biological problems can improve the human condition. To learn more about important scientific discoveries made by biochemistry researchers and their implications visit: https://biochem.wisc.edu/history

1886 – College of Agriculture begins offering a winter short course to train farmers in veterinary science, horticulture and related scientific disciplines.

1890 –  First test of butterfat content in milk. Stephen Moulton Babcock develops the Babcock test which determines the butterfat content of milk. The Babcock test sets the worldwide standard for butterfat determination of milk. The Babcock test is an inexpensive and practical procedure to determine the fat content of milk. For the most part, the Babcock test was used by farmers to check the quality of their milk. Sometimes it was also used to make sure that dairy farmers weren’t diluting their product to stretch the amount of milk they had. Babcock refused to patent the device, which made it accessible and affordable. Babcock was an Agricultural Chemistry professor. The department’s name was changed to Biochemistry in the late 1930s by faculty vote.

1892 – First UW PH..D by Charles R. Van Hise.

1895 – The Committee of Graduate Study is first organized.