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BIOL 235Foundations of Molecular Biology

Units
0.50
Faculty
Science
Subject
Biology

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course introduces fundamental approaches used to study the biomolecules that mediate cellular processes. Topics include the central dogma of molecular biology, the theoretical basis for molecular methods, scientific principles of hypothesis development, and experimental design in molecular biology research. The laboratory will cover essential experimental techniques for analyzing biomolecules (DNA, RNA, and protein).

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed the following:

Antirequisites

  • Not completed any of the following:

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 0017461125 / 128TTh 13:00–14:20
LAB 101746232 / 32M 14:30–17:20
LAB 102746329 / 32M 19:00–21:50
LAB 103746432 / 32T 14:30–17:20
LAB 104746532 / 32T 19:00–21:50

Reviewed on UW Flow

60% liked it50% easy67% useful

From 10 ratings and 6 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Course has a mandatory lab (25%) which is bi-weekly and requires you to keep a lab book which was kinda annoying but not that hard or time consuming. Main course has 2 midterms both 15% and a 30% final which is MC and short answer. Content is fairly easy you just need to memorize DNA/RNA/Proteins analysis methods their uses, benefits, limitations. rest of the grade breakdown 3 assignments worth 10% total, 5 pre-lab quizzes and iclicker. Lots of places to get easy marks you just need to go to class.

    Aug 2025 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • i do not recommend this course, the people saying its just memorizing are wrong because its more concepts based. do NOT take it unless you did well in genetics, because its simply that course but worse. you will fall asleep in lecture 100%. the lab is bird but you have to upkeep a lab book... if you weren't balding already, this lab book will do the trick. iclicker and lab grade will save ur behind, but please, take literally anything else.

    Nov 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This Course was not a very helpful development in my university degree, It hasn't run for long enough to really know how it wants to teach you. You'll learn more from searching the content yourself than you will from being present for every class.
    The clickers weren't the most helpful however as a grade additive they were needed. Go in with the expectation that it will be a difficult term, and utilize every friend you have to manage the workload

    Dec 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This is a memorization-heavy course, as most bio courses are, focusing a lot on molecular cloning and techniques used to analyze cellular DNA, RNA, and proteins, so make sure that's something you find interesting. There's a bi-weekly lab component, which wasn't too hard but took a couple hours to prep for each week. If you mess up an experiment it won't affect your mark too much thankfully, and make sure your whole bench is people you want to work with because you do things in fours a lot. Tests were tough but pretty fair, although the assignments were a little weird sometimes in my experience.

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Really loved this course actually, interesting content and straightforward exams

    Sep 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar