BIOL 349Synthetic Biology Project Design
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Synthetic biology involves developing new approaches, based on engineering principles, for genetic engineering of biological systems. Students will prepare a comprehensive research proposal for a synthetic biology project of their own design, under the supervision of a faculty member. Attendance at a weekly journal club focused on synthetic biology will be mandatory.
Prerequisites
- Students must be in level 3A or higher
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRJ 001 | 7236 | 20 / 32 | TTh 08:30–09:50 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
100% liked it50% easy100% useful
From 5 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
One of my favourite courses I've taken at Waterloo. Super open ended, the entire class is based off of a topic you choose, and i find you can relate almost anything back to synthetic biology. Class consisted of 2 presentations, a poster, a final paper and participation counted towards your grade a bit as well.
If you like research take this course!Oct 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
No "real" course content to study for. Entire course essentially revolves around the development of a synthetic biology research project that will be presented at the end of the course. May be a good opportunity to transition into doing a BIOL 499 with Trevor Charles or Brian Ingalls.
Apr 2019 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
12 posts and comments in 12 threads mention BIOL 349, July 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.
Spring 2022
What even is Biol 349? 5 points, 4 comments
u/TurboTwinky28: “Basically title. I've found almost no information on this course except for a 3 year old review but the the only thing it really says is that 349 is entirely about making your own research proposal for a research project/proposal/idk Anyone got more info on this course? …”
Has anyone taken Biol 349? 3 points, 0 comments
Spring 2021
BIOL 349 - Synthetic Biology Project 0 points, 0 comments
u/confused_amoeba2309: “Hey guys, Does anyone know much about this course? Am I supposed to contact the professor before choosing the course or contact them during the Add/Drop period?”
BIOL 349 Application? 1 point, 0 comments
BIOL 349 Application? 0 points, 0 comments
Spring 2020
BIOL 349 guidance and help!!! 3 points, 2 comments
u/FinesseClass: “If you have taken BIOL 349 how rough was it? What was your experience like.....are there any courses that would be beneficial to have take before taking it?! plsss let me know!”
Spring 2018
Did anyone study biol349 before? How was it? 1 point, 1 comment
Winter 2018
Come crush my dreams pls 7 points, 35 comments
“I'm an honors science student and just finished my first year of uni... my marks were okay, about mid to low 80's mostly but I know that most professional programs require higher marks than what I …”
u/Reikki: “You can definitely do it! I am in biochem and went from low 90s in first year - low 80s in second year (those dam chemistry courses) - high 80s in third year - mid 90s in fourth year. …”
u/lydiahousecarl: “OMGGG totally misread this as biol 349 not 439 349 is a project course Nvm 439 is east yes. But 349 is not”
What happens if profs don’t post the grades by Jan 3rd? 13 points, 31 comments
“Can they do this? For one of the courses I’m taking I heard that the last class didn’t get their grades until a week into the next semester We also haven’t gotten any grades at all for the class …”
u/useless_amp: “Not receiving any grades at all for the class during the entire semester sounds like the instructor has terrible organization skills. …”
u/lydiahousecarl: “This was for biol 349 project. And we did have pre-proposals and presentations which we were marked on but we never got marks and students would constantly ask if we can get marks and the profs would say no.”
Fall 2017
What course do you currently have no idea what the fuck is happening in right now? 16 points, 47 comments
“title”
u/AssassinatedGarnet: “Biol 349 project What the fuck”
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… BIOL 301 BIOL 303 BIOL 308 BIOL 309 BIOL 310 BIOL 323 BIOL 325 BIOL 335L BIOL 342 BIOL 345 BIOL 349 BIOL 350 BIOL 354 BIOL 359 BIOL 370 BIOL 376 BIOL 377 BIOL 416W BIOL 434 BIOL 439 BIOL 443 BIOL 444 BIOL 447 BIOL 448 BIOL 452 BIOL 456 BIOL 462 BIOL 469 BIOL 470 BIOL 472 BIOL …”
Spring 2015
Any science-related lab opportunities? 2 points, 2 comments
“Hey guys! I'm looking to get some more lab experience. Is there any labratory opportunites that you are aware of (in relevance to chemistry or biology)? Perhaps a graduate study? …”
u/asylum19: “… Try lab based course Biol 349, Biol 499, or Chem 494. Also (clearly) if in co-op be selective for lab based jobs, if not in co-op still look on the posting for summer jobs on jobmine that all Waterloo students can apply to. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
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