BIOL 150Organismal and Evolutionary Ecology
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Biology
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course provides students with an introduction to the basic principles of scientific reasoning, ecology, and evolution. Coverage includes hypothesis testing and the nature of scientific inquiry, basic population genetics, physiological ecology, life histories, dispersal, basic population and community ecology, macroevolution, systematics and classification, as well as functional morphology.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- BIOL251 - Fundamentals of Ecology (0.50)
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7269 | 55 / 100 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
70% liked it66% easy53% useful
From 152 ratings and 39 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Really cool content! Some was review of high school biology (eg. some evolutionary processes, some ecosystem ecology), but there was a lot of new material too. There is some statistics content which non-science students might find challenging. But I would definitely recommend it to environment students looking for a science course!
Jun 2015 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Took this course because it covers some content for DAT. In four university years and after taking multiple biology and other science courses, this is the worst. During the class, Dr. Rooney will spend half the time going over the exact same example from the textbook, and the remaining half she will read through text on the slides that are summary of the textbook. That's why our class of 200 people, only about 70 of them attended to classes. Sometimes she gives you 3-5 minutes in class to answer a simple question. Then, during test and exams she will ask you questions that are completely another level (not even similar to those in her slides), and you have less than 1 minute per question.…
Jan 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
As a fourth year student who has taken many biology courses before, this takes the cake for the worst course I have ever taken in my life. Absolutely horrible. Extremely dry, the content is very difficult to memorize. Exams and tests are nearly impossible despite studying for a few weeks in advance. Extremely disorganized course, changing the way it is run several times throughout the term. TONS OF MATH. TONS. Prof gives less time than there are questions to answer on tests and exams and the questions often aren't simple multiple choice or true and false. they are long calculations and fill in the blanks that you would never have thought to even memorize from the horrendously designed…
Dec 2023 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course was the biggest waste of time, unless you really love wetlands. All of Dr. Rooney's examples had to do with wetlands, which I don't find interesting at all. The quiz questions also have conflicting answers, as sometimes the textbook is different than the lecture. Also, I don't know why this course is called "organismal and evolutionary ecology" because there really isn't any evolution involved. Readings are very boring. Overall would not recommend unless you have to take it, so boring and I find it hard to care about this course.
Nov 2017 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Read, Read, then read some more. Textbook absolutely needed.
Apr 2017 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
76 posts and comments in 61 threads mention BIOL 150, October 2012 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2024
Has anyone taken Biol 251 1 point, 1 comment
u/potternerd224: “… I saw the anti req is Biol 150 which I haven’t taken before so that would mean it’s pretty similar?”
u/hoemaster123: “It’s a new course that’s replacing biol 150. There is now lab component in the course so idk but I imagine the content is probably similar.”
Fall 2023
Science Courses 4 points, 6 comments
“I am looking for some courses offered by faculty of science (i.e., with course codes: AVIA, BIOL, CHEM, EARTH, MNS, OPTOM, PHARM, PHYS, PDPHRM, SCI, SCBUS) that are available to general science …”
u/camie_txt: “BIOL 150 has some basic math. BIOL 110, 165, 211, and 220 are relatively easy (memorization courses) and have no prerequisites. Good luck”
Environment, Resources and Sustainability- Info for Incoming Students 16 points, 1 comment
u/Extra-Ad-7289: “… Policy: PSCI 100/150, SDS 131R, LS 101, GEOG 101, FR courses (if you want to work in policy, French is a huge asset) Science: GEOG 102, BIOL 150, BIOL 165, EARTH 121 Technical Solutions: ENBUS 102, GEOG 181 Environmental Thought: Any first year PHIL, PACS, SOC or ANTH course …”
BIOL150 1 point, 2 comments
u/chomnks7: “Does anyone know anything about this course? I might take it online, but could someone please give me an idea of the syllabus, testing, material. Is it worth it to help boost my science average? Anything would be of help! Thanks:)”
Spring 2023
Non- Math electives 1 point, 9 comments
“I am first year student and was wondering what non-math courses do students take? &x200B;”
u/batson2002: “anything and everything, it really depends on your mindset and what other things you like. some people just take easy courses for the easy grades, some people take science courses because they …”
u/8strws: “… class, people from many faculties who are really interested in biology took BIOL239 or BIOL150. …”
Opinions of these Bird Courses (Fall 2023) 1 point, 7 comments
u/chomnks7: “… Could I please get some opinions of the following: HRM200, HIST216, BIOL150, CLAS201 If you have any better courses in mind(online and preferably no exam) for the fall term, plz let me know, any info will be of help:) Thankss!!”
Fall 2021
BIOL 150 exam 5 points, 0 comments
Biol 150 Final Exam 1 point, 1 comment
u/katptz: “Has anyone here taken the biol 150 final exam online? How was it, and what should i do to prepare for it? Or anyone else taking it right now? How do you plan on studying for it?”
BIOL 150 discussion board sucks! 13 points, 11 comments
u/SAYAVASA: “literary the discussion board is worth 20% . No one post or start threads, there is literary no discussion. &x200B; I started a thread, no one in my group replied, no one even saw my thread. We're being graded on group engagement. &x200B; THIS IS SO UNFAIR! &x200B; What do I do?”
Any tips for BIOL 110, 150 or 130? 0 points, 5 comments
u/SAYAVASA: “Would really appreciate any helpful response :)”
Spring 2021
biol 354 vs biol 462 0 points, 0 comments
“ive realized im insane to take more than 6 courses so im narrowing it down. biol 354 and biol 462 seem pretty similar so which one is really worth taking?”
u/mari0499: “I've taken both so if you prefer to focus on lecture content without writing lab reports, biol 462 is nice. …”
u/buttercupbeuaty: “… 3) So far my eco/env courses have been Biol 150, 120, 165, 433, 346 I’ll be taking biol 345, 443, 469 in the fall is this good for general biology careers? …”
BIOL 240 vs BIOL 150 1 point, 3 comments
u/V_110: “I’m looking for a biology course to take and I narrowed it down between these two. I have done BIOL 130 before, so I am wondering if any of you guys can recommend one of these courses to take based on your experience. Thank you!”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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