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BIOL 309Analytical Methods in Molecular Biology

Units
0.50
Faculty
Science
Subject
Biology

Not in the current Undergraduate Calendar. Shown as it appeared in 2024–25.

When it runs

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

Ran in 1 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

An introduction to molecular methods used to analyze the structure of genes and genomes, including DNA sequencing, cloning, restriction mapping, and bioinformatic tools. Techniques to monitor transcript and protein abundance, protein-protein, and DNA-protein interactions will also be covered.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed the following:
      • BIOL130 - Introductory Cell Biology (0.50)
    • Complete 1 of the following
      • Must have completed the following:
      • Must have completed the following:
        • BIOL139

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Reviewed on UW Flow

65% liked it29% easy94% useful

From 98 ratings and 26 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • This class is difficult as a biochem student, since you don't have all the background information that Moffatt expects you to know. A good mark is definitely achievable, though attending class is a must, as the only notes supplied are incomplete. She does this to ensure attendance, but it can be quite frustrating as she often talks too quickly, skips sections, or there's just simply not enough space to write it all. One great thing is that she records her lectures.
    This class takes a huge amount of time and effort, and at the end you may walk away wondering what exactly it was that you learned. I can also say, however, that it was the most useful class hands-down during my subsequent…

    Aug 2016 · liked it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This was my favorite course of 2A Biochem. Although the course is not always straightforward, and it definitely is not easy, it is the only biology course thus far that have asked us to apply our learning. Not just regurgitate knowledge. It has been the most useful course for obtaining co-op positions, and I felt that it's been super useful in future courses. Go to class!! Don't buy the textbook!

    Dec 2018 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Not a spoon-feeding course like 308 or 303, if you can think like a researcher you can 80+ in this course

    Dec 2017 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course was really fun. It's super easy, if you can think analytically and problem solve. Otherwise, you are going to want to make sure that you are reading the notes ahead of time and going to see the prof. as soon as you have questions.
    The information is really useful if you are interested in pursuing research in the future. If you are interested in any sort of "small biology" research than this is the course for you. Learning about different lab techniques and the possible errors that could occur is something that every Science student can use as they move into their professional career.

    Dec 2014 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Took this class with Rachel Beaver as the prof; for being a two-time instructor, I have to say she genuinely might be the best teacher I've had at Waterloo so far. She kept people engaged and willing to come back for more at 8:30 AM (!!) every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; her presentations were always immaculate and able to flow amazingly, and her Vevox questions always promoted discussion among the class. She was such a helpful instructor; consistently open for discussion and replying on LEARN, after class, and via email. She took your remark requests seriously, and was willing to help you fully understand even the smallest topics. She really made the class fun instead of clinically…

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

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

115 posts and comments in 95 threads mention BIOL 309, August 2013 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

Winter 2024

Fall 2023

Advice for biol 309 1 point, 5 comments

u/Remarkable_Leg9657: “Has anyone been able to score well in BIOL 308 and BIOL 309? Is it possible to score more than 80+? I know this may sound weird, but are there any specific strategies that can be implemented to get a grade of 80 or higher in BIOL 308 and BIOL 309?”

u/be980: “… BIOL 309 is tough. Weekly worksheets and critical thinking questions will really confuse you. The lectures were pretty hard to grasp at times, but I will say certain concepts are easier to understand than others (ex. …”

u/grasslvns: “Hi there! I took 309 with Dr. Moffat in by 2A and got an 89, and 308 with Dr. Wolf in my 2B and got a 90. I’ll admit that both of these semesters were impacted by COVID and the courses were online. …”

u/VegetableGloomy8584: “Hey, I am unable to dm you, it just says try again later do you have any notes that would be useful for the first midterm in BIOL 309? I am extremely lost on how to incorporate the course notes and answer them when there are no actual answers posted anywhere. …”

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Spring 2023

BIOL 335L - How is it? 1 point, 0 comments

u/DifferentWitness363: “… I will be taking BIOL 309 simultaneously (since it's a corequisite) as well. I have a few questions for anyone who's taken the course: Will I be fine taking 309 simultaneously as the lab? Or should I wait until after finishing the course? …”

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BIOL 342 vs BIOL 308 vs BIOL 341 ? 2 points, 2 comments

“Hello guys, If anyone had taken any of the courses mentioned in title, how was your experience? Which one should be the most manageable? …”

u/StrictOlive: “… The content itself feels like a BIOL 309 repeat so you can reference your old notes for a lot of stuff. 308 is fine with Wolff and I took 341 but dropped it cuz it was too much to balance with my other courses. Biotech was a hard specialization. …”

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Winter 2023

Genetics 1 point, 3 comments

“TL;DR what courses can I take that are based off genetics and what requirements do I need to become a geneticist? …”

u/StrictOlive: “… Edit: Since biol 309 and 308 and prerequisites for 434 (and are basically entirely transcription and translation content), if you manage to finish those plus 434 and not hate your life in the process, then you'll do just fine pursuing a career as a geneticist”

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Fall 2022

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar