BIOL 443Fermentation Biotechnology
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Biology
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.
Biology of industrial micro-organisms: fermentation systems; fermentation raw materials; downstream processing; biomass production; food fermentations; production of industrial chemicals, food additives, enzymes, and other products by fermentation. This course includes practical examples in the laboratory.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6967 | 95 / 96 | TTh 08:30–09:20 |
| LAB 101 | 6968 | 31 / 32 | Sep 15 14:30–17:20 Sep 29 14:30–17:20 Oct 20 14:30–17:20 Nov 3 14:30–17:20 Nov 17 14:30–17:20 Dec 1 14:30–17:20 |
| LAB 102 | 6969 | 32 / 32 | Sep 15 19:00–21:50 Sep 29 19:00–21:50 Oct 20 19:00–21:50 Nov 3 19:00–21:50 Nov 17 19:00–21:50 Dec 1 19:00–21:50 |
| LAB 103 | 7124 | 32 / 32 | Sep 16 14:30–17:20 Sep 30 14:30–17:20 Oct 21 14:30–17:20 Nov 4 14:30–17:20 Nov 18 14:30–17:20 Dec 2 14:30–17:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
67% liked it58% easy73% useful
From 15 ratings and 6 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Taken F25, consisted of two 25% midterms (no final!), a 10% presentation, a 7% in-class assignment, and 3% quizzes (participation-based), then lab component was 4 lab reports and lab performance across 30%. The course itself was okay? like the tests were pretty straight-forward but the phrasing and choice of questions to ask felt... odd at times (but not hard?). Lab component was annoying because of the amount of follow-ups and biweekly lab reports but it was not the end of the world, just start them early. It wasn't a bad course by any means and not crazy difficult, honestly felt meh and some topics were genuinely interesting.
Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Definitely on the easier side of bio. It's annoying that the slides have gaps, but they're easy to intuitively fill in. I didn't go to class much, I didn't find Sarah very engaging. She's a sweetie, tho. Midterms are easy and short, take about 45 min, all MC. labs are sooo long. not hard to get a good mark, but some of them were 15+ pages. Start them early to break up the work. Labs were also boring, lots of waiting around a centrifuge. But it was sometimes interesting.
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Very easy fourth level course. Unfortunately that means that the content is not very in-depth. Only examine the actual fermentation strategies, byproducts, and inputs, not much is said about actual fermentation.
Sep 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
I really liked this class. It's very useful if you're interested in going into the biotechnology field. You learn a lot about the industrial processes involved in chemical, biomass, drug, and food production using fermentation. You also learn about the current biotech market in Canada and the challenges that many small startups face when developing a product. My favourite topics were wine and beer fermentation :D
Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
lab reports for every lab, best to go in depth!!! midterms and an assignment but no final. pretty great course loved learning about fermentation
Jan 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
25 posts and comments in 20 threads mention BIOL 443, September 2011 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
I am looking to get a high average my 3rd and 4th year in Honor Science any course tips? 9 points, 7 comments
“I currently have completed all my pre-requisite courses for the postgraduate program I want to apply for. The only thing I am missing is the high average for my best 2 years of undergrad. …”
u/mint-choco-ftw: “biol 354 (w dayeh) and biol 443 (w ruffell) are pre light, both have labs tho”
Spring 2024
Sarah Ruffell or Vivian Dayeh for BIOL 130 1 point, 1 comment
“Lots of ratings for Vivian online but some say that for BIOL 130 she’s not good. What about SARAH?”
u/Outrageous_Towel9039: “I had Sarah for BIOL 443 and she's a great prof, super fun and nice. Her midterm/exam was very easy and straightforward. Not sure if it was just due to the content, but it was easy to get 80+ in her class. I'd expect her to teach BIOL 130 similarly? Not sure if that helps 🥲”
Fall 2023
Biol 354 and 443 1 point, 0 comments
u/This_Kaleidoscope395: “Is anyone in these? Specifically in the 354 Thursday afternoon section and 443 Tuesday section?”
Spring 2022
BIO 403 VS BIO 443 1 point, 4 comments
u/Commercial_Rain_2221: “Has anyone taken any of these before? How did you find out? Currently deciding between the two.”
u/excusemewho1: “Only taken BIOL 443 but it was challenging, definitely need to dedicate a lot of time to it. I took biols 434/443/447/469 in the same semester and 443 was my lowest grade”
u/BornParsley: “I only took biol 443 (fermentation bio) the last time it was offered, Fall 2021 online. Opposite to what the other comment said I thought it was one of the easier biol courses compared to something like biol 469 or biol 341. The in person lab wasn’t too bad for a Dr. …”
Winter 2022
400-Level Easy BIOL Courses 3 points, 5 comments
“I need to take some 400 level BIOL courses and I was wondering which ones are the easiest to obtain a high mark in?”
u/StrictOlive: “BIOL 443 (Fermentation Biotechnology). Don't let the flow score fool you, I think the prof changed because Professor Ruffell's exams are a breeze and its super easy to get a high mark. …”
Fall 2021
What are your favourite classes at UW 56 points, 87 comments
u/LonelyBiochemMajor: “Biol 354 and biol 443”
Anyone else in BIOL 443? 1 point, 0 comments
u/paleomed: “Hello! Wondering if anyone else taking Biol 443 would want to go over lab or course content together :) I haven't done a lab since in person days and feels weird not having a partner.”
Spring 2021
biol 354 vs biol 462 0 points, 0 comments
“ive realized im insane to take more than 6 courses so im narrowing it down. biol 354 and biol 462 seem pretty similar so which one is really worth taking?”
u/mari0499: “I've taken both so if you prefer to focus on lecture content without writing lab reports, biol 462 is nice. …”
u/buttercupbeuaty: “… 3) So far my eco/env courses have been Biol 150, 120, 165, 433, 346 I’ll be taking biol 345, 443, 469 in the fall is this good for general biology careers? …”
Am I crazy? 0 points, 17 comments
u/buttercupbeuaty: “My course selection for the fall Biol 309: analytical methods of molecular biology Biol 345: microorganisms in food BLND Biol 469: genomics Biol 443: fermentation biotech BLND CS 115: intro to computer science Italst 265: thé mafia PD 5: project management Waiting on approval …”
Fall 2020
Is anyone else in Biol 443??? 3 points, 0 comments
Spring 2020
Need help deciding on a bio elective 2 points, 2 comments
u/misterstapes: “… So far the only courses I can take in place of orgo that are part of my degree are BIOL 266 (intro to comp bio to fill a bio elective) and BIOL 443 (fermentation biotech). The undergraduate calendar says I can take 443 in my 4A term but I’m debating fast tracking it. …”
Spring 2019
biol 443 and 345 2 points, 2 comments
u/stclabghost: “Could anyone please have mercy on me with biol 443 (fermentation technology) course outline and biol 345 (microorganisms in foods) course outline? Thank you. Please help me.”
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
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them