comma before 'both' [adverb]: escalated it, both in and out of

[pyroknife]

This is a sentence written by me to describe some of my classes:
Introductory physics courses sparked my interest in fluid mechanics while the upper level course, Mechanics, escalated it, both in and out of the classroom.

There is quite a few commas placed in close proximity. Mechanics is the name of the upper level course.
My question is do I need a comma in front of the word both?
It sounds appropriate to have a brief pause there.

 

[Beryl from Northallerton]

I don't think that the comma is essential, pyroknife.

 

[pyroknife]

I don't think that the comma is essential, pyroknife.

If you say the sentence out loud, wouldn't there be a natural pause before both?

 

[Beryl from Northallerton]

Pausing when reading a sentence out loud does not necessitate the presence of a comma at the site of the pause nor does the presence of a comma in the sentence necessitate that you pause at the site of the comma.
I like commas, but I wouldn't put one between every word and its neighbour.

See here: "I don't think that the comma is essential, pyroknife." A big ol' comma between your name and an adjective, but I wouldn't pause when reading it. Would you?