uwloo

BIOL 342Molecular Biotechnology 1

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.

Molecular biotechnology applies the principles of recombinant DNA technology (genetic engineering, gene cloning) to the development of commercial products. The methods of recombinant DNA technology, molecular diagnostic systems for detecting diseases, and transgenic organisms will be examined in lectures and tutorial sessions.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed the following:
      • BIOL240 - Fundamentals of Microbiology (0.50)
    • Complete 1 of the following
      • Must have completed the following:
        • BIOL235 - Foundations of Molecular Biology (0.50)
      • Must have completed the following:

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 001695181 / 105MW 12:30–13:20
TUT 101695234 / 35Th 11:30–12:20
TUT 102695328 / 35Th 12:30–13:20
TUT 103748819 / 35Th 13:30–14:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

81% liked it18% easy91% useful

From 27 ratings and 8 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Hands down worst experience of my life. barb marked like i k!lled her family dog infront of her children on christmas eve. Most bass ackwards marking scheme ive ever bore witness to. great course to take if you are trying to relapse or looking to get into some self destructive behaviour/tendencies.

    Dec 2025 · didn’t like it · 7 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • lots of material. review slides before and after class, and draw out diagrams on white board. Dupont is retired so maybe it'll be easier now.

    Mar 2024 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • It’s not even that I didn’t understand the content of this course, but the marking scheme is so ridiculously specific and strict that it feels genuinely impossible to get a decent mark no matter how much you study

    Dec 2025 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course is tough and you really have to know your stuff in order to succeed. The tests are very fair and Dr. Dupont doesn't try to trick you or anything, but she expects a significant amount of detail for full marks and the tests are extremely long. On both the midterm and the final, I ran out of time and couldn't finish all the questions. Make sure you keep up with the lectures or the tutorials will be rough and try to keep reviewing throughout the term because you'll thank yourself when you start studying for the exam.

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

  • Lots of interesting material, but difficult to study for due to the amount of content to memorize.

    Apr 2019 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

32 posts and comments in 27 threads mention BIOL 342, July 2014 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 2023

Spring 2023

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

u/Luvvul1234: “Hello guys, If anyone had taken any of the courses mentioned in title, how was your experience? Which one should be the most manageable? Kind of having a hard time trying to find 3rd and 4th year BIOL & CHEM average/easy electives. …”

u/StrictOlive: “… Your only maybe saving grace is BIOL 342 used to be taught by Dupont but she's now retiring. So pray whoever replaces her is easier. The content itself feels like a BIOL 309 repeat so you can reference your old notes for a lot of stuff. …”

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BIOL 239 222 points, 36 comments

u/SevenSunrises: “BIOL 342 also taught by Dupont in Fall 2022 had a 55% average final, no curve as well. For the midterm there was a 27% failure rate and low average as well (don’t remember what it was). From other comments it seems that she’s leaving and thank god if that’s true 🙏🙏🙏”

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Fall 2022

Spring 2022

Anyone taken PHYS 380 // BIOL 342? 2 points, 2 comments

u/7BluePanda: “… I wanted to take either PHYS 380 or BIOl 342. For the people who took one or both of these courses, could you tell me a bit more what they were about? …”

u/StrictOlive: “Don't take BIOL 342 unless you're willing to put in the work. Dupont is not easy and she definitely puts you through the ringer. I was scared of falling for 3/4 of the term but I did pass and a lot of other people I know did too. …”

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Fall 2021

When do exams get curved 53 points, 16 comments

“The average for an exam (worth 60%) was a 57, and the midterm (worth 30%) was a 61. For each evaluation, the prof posted “you’re 10%+ below the average for last year”. Like ok bro curve us”

u/StrictOlive: “If this is BIOL 342, Dupont never curves”

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Spring 2021

Fall 2020

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar