BIOL 465Structural Bioinformatics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Biology
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Analysis of proteins using structural and bioinformatics approaches. Topics explored in lectures and labs include methods of protein structure determination and visualization, structure comparison and prediction, prediction of protein function and interactions, molecular dynamics, and protein design.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Complete 1 of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Enrolled in CS-Bioinformatics Specialization
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6765 | 0 / 65 | MW 08:30–09:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2535 | 32 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LAB 101 | 7077 | 0 / 65 | T 08:30–09:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
40% liked it90% easy55% 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.
The course contains a lecture and computer lab/tutorial component. The lectures covered a broad range of structural bioinformatics topics such as protein structure, bioinformatics websites/programs, sequence profiles, drug discovery, and cryoEM. The midterm was pretty fair and contained only short answer questions that required a good amount of detail for full marks. There was also a group presentation component of the course where you select a published research paper related to structural bioinformatics and "deconstruct" or summarize the main points within 15-20 minutes. The lab component consisted of 4 assignments that were based on applying structural bioinformatic programs, such as…
May 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Going into this course as someone who has no interest in structural biology and just need this course to complete my degree in bioinformatics, I actually ended up liking it quite a bit. The tutorials are very useful and show cases the tools that actual scientists use in structural bioinformatics (albeit it is difficult to get a good mark on the tutorial assignments as the marking is so unclear and just WHAAT???). The midterm is fair and ok (average about 75), and the group presentation and project are both very fun.
Nov 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
10 posts and comments in 9 threads mention BIOL 465, December 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.
Fall 2022
BIOL 465 w/ Holyoak 1 point, 0 comments
Winter 2021
BIOL 465 Midterm 7 points, 5 comments
u/unechoed: “I know there's only like 50 of us in the class. But regardless, what the fuck was that midterm. I'm actually livid.”
Spring 2020
Is Biology (co-op) a useful degree?--- What are you thoughts on the Bioinformatics option? 6 points, 6 comments
“Hi, I got into Biology (co-op) and was wondering is it is worth pursuing? I've heard stuff like "Biology students are the least employable life science students at uwaterloo". Is it true? …”
u/TheBestOfTheGreats: “… BIOL 465 is a pretty good and useful course, however I think the way the course is delivered should be improved. 2. It depends what you want to do afterwards. …”
Winter 2020
Anyone took Biol465 before? 3 points, 2 comments
u/dunan81: “What textbook did you read? How are the assignments like and is there any resources that I can prepare for? Thanks in advance!”
u/TheBestOfTheGreats: “… I would rank them like this (from best to worst): BIOL 469 (Doxey) > BIOL 266 (Doxey) > BIOL 465 (Lynch) > BIOL 365 (McConkey). …”
Fall 2019
My Time at UW (recent CS grad) 122 points, 33 comments
“I just graduated from "Computer Science, Bioinformatics Option" this Spring 2019 term, and I felt like making a little reflection post about my time in Waterloo. …”
u/kuroturtlez: “is biol 465 easy or are you just smart?”
Winter 2019
Anyone done Biol 465 before? 5 points, 12 comments
u/BrownBoi377: “Anyone who has taken structural bioinformatics (Biol 465) help me out on how I should study fir the final? The professor has given 0 feedback on out assignments, presentations, and projects. He uploaded 1 final review that is vague as hell. He gives no help in email responses. …”
Which CS courses to take for Bioinformatics? 8 points, 12 comments
“I wanted to learn some CS for bioinformatics and thought I would just take 135 and 136. However, it occurred to me that 116 uses python (much more useful for bioinfo) whereas 136 uses C. …”
u/boolgogi: “Take BIOL266, 365, 465 and 469 definitely (they're all required for the Bioinformatics option anyway). CS234 deals a lot with Python so probably a good choice too. …”
Winter 2016
Medical School Post-BCS 0 points, 20 comments
“Heyo, I'm considering some options for life after my undergraduate and really like the idea of medical school. …”
u/Trump4Prezz2016: “… -BIOL240/BIOL240L -BIOL239 -CHEM120/CHEM120L WINTER: -CHEM123/CHEM123L -BIOL309 -BIOL365 -BIOL465”
Fall 2015
Can anyone here proved me with some information on BIOL 465 (Resources in Bioinformatics) 1 point, 1 comment
u/RANDOM_SHEEP: “Is it a difficult course? I can't find any information about it on UW Flow.”
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