BIOL 165Diversity of Life
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Biology
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An introduction to the diversity of living organisms from simple prokaryotes to complex eukaryotes. Current ideas on classification and phylogeny will be compared with traditional schemes. Morphology, ecology, and economic uses of representative Phyla and Divisions will be discussed.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7270 | 57 / 100 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
57% liked it42% easy48% useful
From 91 ratings and 19 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Taken Winter 2023 with Pinheiro. . . . . . . . . . .
This course has nothing to do with most areas of interest in Biology. In fact, Bio 165, along with Bio 110 (similar in measurement of uselessness), made me regret choosing the Biology major. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Everything covered in the course, including endosymb theory can be easily searched up and understood. Memorization for no purpose.
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Be prepared for a class full of learning about 20 random algae and their pigments, along with hundreds of other useless things. . . . . . .
HOWEVER, Endosymbiotic theory (Chloroplasts & mitochondria) is pretty…Mar 2023 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
[Student who had taken the course online during COVID-19] Personally, this course was quite a bore. The three domains of life and five supergroups were covered and a majority of them did not interest me. However, the course was easy. All open-book, multiple choice midterms and exam. I did not study other than create flow charts that summarized all supergroups and their clades, phylums, subphylums and the life cycles involved. You do not need the textbook to pass, I didn’t use it at all. An easy 90%+, especially if you had a cooperative BASS module group. The BASS component made up ~20% of your final grade and it was a term-long group project. I had an amazing, responsible group so I was…
Dec 2020 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
The course was incredibly hard and covered way too many topics.
Apr 2016 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course seemed like an amalgamation of BIOL 110 (Zoology) and BIOL 120 (Intro to Plant Biology, Botany), with a hint of Microbiology sprinkled on top. Dr. Müller's exams aren't the easiest. Moreover, the course consists of two midterms valued at 25% each, and a 50% final. Not many places to demonstrate your learning. She doesn't post lecture slides online (and in order to access slides you have to view an hour long recorded lecture). The only material that you have is the course notes, which is poorly made.
I have a hard time recommending this course to anyone.Jun 2015 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
It's only memorizing tiny details about vague concepts. Some of the exam questions contain words you've never seen before. I can imagine the prof makes the world of a difference. Dr. Hrycyshyn was pretty awesome, but I don't think he made his own slides. Moves pretty quick. Midterms were more difficult than the final, but the final is heavy. Be careful taking this course. I wouldn't take it if you don't have to.
Apr 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
58 posts and comments in 43 threads mention BIOL 165, December 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.
Winter 2024
BIOL 165 1 point, 1 comment
u/FabulousFattie: “BRO please someone, I need the class notes to study. I'll literally pay for well written notes. I'll forever be grateful. Pls DM me. Thank you!”
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 …”
Spring 2023
first year course selection for life sci 1 point, 8 comments
“so i'm going into life sci 1st year and i wanted to know what people who were or are in the same program are choosing for their fall term courses. …”
u/s_online_: “There are 4 majors in life sci (bio, biomed, biochem and psych). I finished my first yr of biomed sci so i can help you if that is your major. I’m not sure about the rest though”
u/s_online_: “… In winter i had 1 elective and took BIOL 165 (biodiversity) and that was a pretty heavy course ngl with everything else going on. …”
Fall 2022
syllabussy’s 32 points, 7 comments
u/timetodeathh: “… the grade breakdown if u have it that would also be super slay: - BIOL 130 w/ Holyoak - BIOL 165 - HRM 200 online - EARTH 221 thnx in advance <3 merry holidays uwaterloogang”
Courses? 1 point, 0 comments
u/Beginning-Ad-822: “Anyone in these courses? If there’s a discord server or group chat? BIOL 165, BIOL 350, BIOL 351, BIOL 373 (debating whether to take BIOL 302 or not) CHEM 237, CHEM 237L, CHEM 267L TIA”
u/Fluffy_State_5360: “BIOL 165 is a nice course, might have a bit of memorization but it is an introductory course. BIOL 373 is actually pretty tough most of your grade come from the 2 midterms and if you didn't achieve min of 70% on that, it's bad news for GPA. …”
Winter 2022
BIOL 165 marks not out yet? 1 point, 0 comments
see you all on february 7th 88 points, 10 comments
u/Dimtar_: “… STAT 231 (Tutorial) STAT 231 (Lecture 003) STAT 341 (Tutorial) BIOL 130 (Lecture) BIOL 165 (Lecture) BIOL 239 (Lecture) BIOL 302 (Lecture) BIOL 331 (Lecture) BIOL 341 (Lecture) BIOL 346 (Lecture) BIOL 355 (Lecture) BIOL 371 (Lecture) BIOL 373 (Lecture) BIOL 414 (Lecture) BIOL …”
Biol 165 1 point, 1 comment
[deleted]: “The prof for biol 165 wrote in his syllabus that the exam and midterm is online, emailed him but no response, does anyone know if this is still true?”
Anyone taking Biol 211, Biol 361, and Biol 165 this semester? I am looking for study partners. 0 points, 4 comments
u/SAYAVASA: “I'm taking BIOL 165 :)”
u/Massive_Print2691: “Biol 165!!”
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? …”
first year electives psychology waterloo 0 points, 4 comments
“any first year electives you guys recommend I take for psychology?”
u/SmoothSayingSam: “… I recommend doing this: Semester 1 - BIOL 130 (with the lab) Semester 2 - CS 115 / (BIOL 165 or BIOL 120)”
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