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BIOL 403Developmental Biology and Embryology

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 explores the cellular and molecular basis of developmental phenomena in animals. Fundamental processes and concepts in embryonic development will be discussed including the acquisition of multicellularity, morphogenesis of tissues, major organ systems, fetal membranes, growth, differentiation, and analysis of common developmental defects. Lectures will emphasize the experimental basis for animal development with a focus on the major developmental systems in model organisms.

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed the following:
    • BIOL273 - Principles of Human Physiology 1 (0.50)
    • BIOL308 - Principles of Molecular Biology (0.50)

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 001745668 / 70TTh 11:30–12:50

Reviewed on UW Flow

100% liked it50% easy50% useful

From 1 rating and 1 comment on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • pretty information-dense course but it was interesting and the prof (bruce reed) was fun and very nice. test questions were predictable and he was a generous marker. study a bunch and youll be fine. i dont remember the grading scheme exactly but im pretty sure it was just a midterm and final.
    not the easiest bio 300 but i thought it was very interesting and a good grade is manageable if you ask lots of questions and study hard.
    a lot of the info in class isnt needed for the tests so pay attention to his practice questions as well as which topics he spends a lot of time on or calls back to in later units. those are on the exams.

    Apr 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

One post or comment in 1 thread mentions BIOL 403, July 2022 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

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar