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BIOL 266Introduction to Computational 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 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course provides an introduction to computational methods in biology, including exploration of bioinformatics databases and tools, analysis of protein and DNA sequences, and computer-aided modelling of biological systems. Labs will include practical experience applying computational tools to biological problems.

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed the following:
    • BIOL130 - Introductory Cell Biology (0.50)

Antirequisites

None listed.

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 0017220169 / 180MW 14:30–15:20
LAB 1017221169 / 180Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

74% liked it63% easy84% useful

From 46 ratings and 18 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Content is expected, basic overview of key bioinformatics topics. The weekly lab assignments are extremely easy and can be finished in like 10 minutes most weeks. Exam and midterm are deceptively hard because basically any word on the slides is testable as well as things he only says in class too. If all you need is a pass its relatively easy, but if you want a high mark its decently challenging.

    Dec 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Many people often say that this course is a bird course. However, I did not find that to be the case. This course was a lot harder than I had expected it to be. The grade breakdown was as follows, 20% lab assignments, 30% midterm, 50% final exam. Even though the TA (Benjamin Jenkins) said that the lab assignments are meant to be straightforward, some of them were still very tricky. Additionally, it was very frustrating that the lab assignments were administered as multiple choice learn quizzes. As a result, there was no opportunity to receive part-marks for explaining your thought process or was there any opportunity to show your work. The midterm and the final were challenging for the…

    Oct 2022 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This is a bird course in terms of workload. Labs were an easy 100 if you do them early and show up to office hours to ask any questions you have. However, you have to really study for the midterm and final (for 90+) since there are a couple of questions that ask for specific information from the slides that you just have to memorize. Average for the midterm (Fall 2021) was low 70s iirc.

    Dec 2021 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • very straight forward course theres nothing to really get confused about but really honestly truly do everything you can early so you can ask questions cuz it can make the difference between a 60 or a 100 on a lab. not totally easy if youre not particularly math or computers inclined

    Dec 2020 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Whoever says that this is an easy course or that it is a bird course is clearly lying to you and hates you. This course is much harder than it seems due to the ridiculous midterm and exam although the labs are easy to get perfect in. Do not take this course if you are not interested in bioinformatics as you will never be able to make it through.

    Oct 2018 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

67 posts and comments in 61 threads mention BIOL 266, March 2015 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

Has anyone taken a course with Andrew Doxey particularly BIOL 266 or BIOL 469, if so how are his tests like? im currently taking 469 and he hasnt provided any practice questions or ways to prep. all we've been told is it will have mcq and calculation questions... 3 points, 2 comments

u/YoghurtFinal1845: “I’m thinking of taking 469 with him in the fall. How was it?”

u/TemperatureSavings23: “… people taking biol 266 with him also struggled with the time provided to them. the other half of the course is 40% group project which u r cooked for if you end up in a shitty group. he is also a very rough grader. …”

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Biol 266 Midterm Advice 1 point, 0 comments

u/YoghurtFinal1845: “Basically title. The midterm is this Monday and I'm not sure what'll be on the midterm. Obviously some hand alignment, but I can't remember anything of importance other than that because he said no code and no computer, so no BLAST or computer softwares. …”

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Spring 2024

Options and Courses 2 points, 2 comments

u/Ok_Summer7033: “… For example, Math 127 and Biol 266 were both courses that I had to take for my program, but they are also required courses for the bioinformatics option, does that mean that my credits from these classes will also count towards the option or do I need to take different courses …”

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Fall 2023

Bird Science Courses 4 points, 11 comments

“Hi, does anyone have recommendations on bird science courses in the 200, and 300 levels( (excluding BIOL 225, BIOL 280/PHYS 280, and SCI units) ? …”

u/natthatt: “BIOL 266. not sure if doxey is still teaching it but that and 469 were my favorite biol courses”

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Spring 2023

Fall 2022

Spring 2022

BIOL 469 vs BIOL 308 1 point, 5 comments

u/guitardesk: “… I loved BIOL 266 which is why I enrolled in 469, but now I'm doubting it's the right choice to make since I'm a third year student and I don't want to take a difficult 4th year course. People said BIOL 308 is content heavy but it seems like it'll be easier. …”

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BIOL 266 or BIOL 365 2 points, 2 comments

u/hoemaster123: “I am trying to plan out my courses for next year and I want to take a bioinformatics course, but can only fit one in for the year. For those that have taken both courses which one would you recommend?”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar