BIOL 211Introductory Vertebrate Zoology
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Biology
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An introduction to the structure, evolution, and development of vertebrate organ systems, explored through lectures and laboratory exercises.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6620 | 0 / 192 | MW 09:30–10:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2474 | 184 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LAB 101 | 6621 | 0 / 32 | M 14:30–17:20 |
| LAB 102 | 6622 | 0 / 32 | T 09:30–12:20 |
| LAB 103 | 6623 | 0 / 32 | T 14:30–17:20 |
| LAB 104 | 6624 | 0 / 32 | W 14:30–17:20 |
| LAB 105 | 6625 | 0 / 32 | Th 09:30–12:20 |
| LAB 106 | 7011 | 0 / 32 | Th 14:30–17:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
89% liked it54% easy77% useful
From 57 ratings and 16 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This was literally the easiest course ever. Just focus in class and memorize the big picture stuff it's not bad at all I swear. Easiest BIOL course I took. Easy 90. Dissections were fun too. For lab you have to do a presentation on a chosen vertebrate. It was fun and easy as long as you follow the rubric and the instructions
Mar 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Hugh is the best prof ever! and his tests are also super easy. He clearly emphasizes in class what will be on the test, he doesn't waste time with annoying tiny details. Yes, i know it can be scary that there is no sample tests, practice quizzes or anything to show u what his assessments will be like, but trust me, its straightforward. If you can memorize, this course is an easy 90+ for you, There are no application questions, there are no 'select all questions'. its just like "which domain does this animal belong to" straight forward type questions and his short answer are usually from the animals he spent a TON of time talking about, repeating himself multiple classes, and just making it…
Feb 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This was a really fun class. It was not very easy though as you still had to put some effort in. Short term memory is an assset for the labs. The class itself was really good. Make sure to go to all classes and if you are planning on missing one to have someone recording with audio and video. Hugh does a lot of pointing so it might be hard to follow along with only audio. definetly take notes in class beucase some things that were siad but not in the notes came up. I remember the long answer for midterm 1 was on the method of ventilation for a lamprey as larvae and when attached to a fish which was said but not in the notes. It was not hard to follow along in class and hugh was very…
May 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Loved this course. And I might even go as far as saying this is a good bird bio course for those in a Science Major looking for a bio credit without putting in too much effort. The layout of this course was pretty good, 3 tests (20, 21, 24%), 35% was lab component (10% creature feature, 20% labs, 5% subjective lab performance). Hugh might be one of my fav profs of all time. He's amazing at explaining things. All his tests were very fair. Everything was straight from his slides or what he explained in class. So as long as you go to class and attend the labs you're basically guaranteed a 90 if you put in the work. The labs are okay, the TAs can ask some random hard ass questions about random…
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
pretty chill course, term tests are a bit hard since there are specific details needed for written answers to be given marks. 3 term tests overall worth 65%, lab component worth 35% (presentation 10%, subjectivity 5% and lab quizzes 20% which are 4 questions at the end so just read the lab manual).
Aug 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
34 posts and comments in 31 threads mention BIOL 211, March 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.
Fall 2024
biol 359 - hugh broders 1 point, 2 comments
“anyone ever take this course w him? if so, what was ur experience? thanks :))”
u/Exit_exe_: “im taking this course right now (and actually studying for the midterm thats tmr) and different prof (jonathan witt) but ive had broders for biol 211 and hes a great prof. …”
be honest do I end it next term 37 points, 48 comments
u/Apophis_06: “I wouldn't wish that monday on my worst enemy, 6:30 - 9:20 lab is also diabolical”
u/madie7392: “admittedly i took biol211 a very long time ago, but the labs were very rarely actually 3hrs long. it’s dissections so basically once you’re done you can leave (very similar to biol110). i had the same section and always left before 8:30”
What are some really easy Mathematics and BIOL electives? 1 point, 1 comment
u/chai_chugger: “I found Biol 211 to be one of the easier courses. The labs are easy and there are 3 term tests (the first 2 are non-cumulative and the last one is cumulative).”
Winter 2024
Thoughts on these Bio courses 1 point, 5 comments
“I'm a Math 3rd year and looking to take bio electives. I like bio in general and I'm good at memorization. I've recently met someone that said that Bio 239 and Bio 365 are easy 90+. Thoughts?”
u/Late_Sweet5437: “check out BIOL 211 on UWFLOW as well”
BIOL211 midterm. Any tips? 2 points, 1 comment
u/Desperate-Host-6611: “I have my BioL 211 midterm (zoology) on Monday and was just wondering if anyone who had taken the class before has any tips or past papers. …”
BIOL 211 Lab Switch 1 point, 0 comments
u/Top-Set-3034: “I'm currently in the wednesday 2:30-5:20 lab for biol 211L (intro vertebrae zoology) but am trying to see if someone in the monday or tuesday 2:30-5:20 section is willing to switch with me. please pm me if you can!”
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”
Should I double text a prof? 22 points, 5 comments
“I want to take BIOL 359 but i dont have the prereq of genetics. Ive been told I should be okay without it by folks who have taken 359 so I emailed the prof to ask if he would let me in. …”
u/MCRIDETMS: “I’m took the course just now, fall 2023 (I’ve taken 239 btw). I assume you’ve emailed Jonathan Witt? That’s was my prof for the fall term.”
u/MCRIDETMS: “… Broders is a great prof I had him for biol 211; He explains everything very clearly and it’s easy to understand. Then again I’m not too sure how you’d take it without the pre req, but I’d say email someone like Susan Whyte, she might have the answers. …”
biol 211 - introductory vertebrae zoology 2 points, 0 comments
u/Top-Set-3034: “has anyone taken this course + the lab recently? what can you say about it's difficulty level (especially for someone with no zoology related background)? The lecturer is Hugh Broders :D”
Question about BIOL 211 (Introductory Vertebrate Zoology) - Lab 1 point, 2 comments
u/Individual_Tour6512: “Hi, Anyone who has taken BIOL 211 before, do you know if the labs start the first week of lectures, or do they begin the second week of the term? If they do start the first week, is the first lab the full 3 hours? I have an application assessment the night after week 1 lab. …”
Taking a biology course as an elective (3rd year CS) 1 point, 1 comment
u/Big-Relationship1344: “… I have never taken any biology courses in university and I heard BIOL211 would be a good choice (not too difficult, many labs) from a friend in bio. Any other recommendations/ideas? …”
Winter 2022
Anyone taking Biol 211, Biol 361, and Biol 165 this semester? I am looking for study partners. 0 points, 4 comments
u/ms_pinocchio: “biol 211 :))”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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