uwloo

BIOL 479Population Genetics and Evolution

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 provides an overview of the interplay among mutation, random and non-random mating, genetic drift, gene flow, and selection within and among natural populations. Special emphasis is placed on the dynamic role these factors play in the process of population divergence, and ultimately speciation. Case studies will illustrate the application of population genetic methodology in fields such as ecology, conservation biology, and forensic sciences.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed the following:
      • BIOL359 - Evolution 1: Mechanisms (0.50)
    • Complete 1 of the following
      • Must have completed the following:
      • Must have completed the following:
        • BIOL139

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

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 001737397 / 96MWF 08:30–09:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

100% liked it38% easy94% useful

From 7 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Took this course in Fall 2022 where it was completely in person. The marking scheme was Assignments 7% (7x1% + 1% bonus for submitting all). Midterms 48% (2x24%) and Final Exam 45%. The assignments are weekly or biweekly and for completion purposes. The midterms are optional so it is possible to have a 93% Final Exam. This course builds off of BIOL 359. The class average was 79% while the class average of BIOL 359 is 72%. However, I finished BIOL 359 with a high 90 and BIOL 479 with a low 90. The midterms have a short answer w/ calculations and MC questions. The short answers w/ calculations are typically well done with a 100% average but the MC questions are KILLER. The Final Exam is…

    Dec 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course is not necessarily easy but you can do well if you really drill down on the concepts. There are assignments almost every week marked for completion, 2 midterms and a final exam. the calculation questions on the midterms come straight from the assignments, but the M/C questions are KILLER. It is VERY similar to BIOL 359, so if you enjoyed that you will likely enjoy 479.

    Dec 2017 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Awesome course that builds off BIOL 359 and can be applied to various problems.

    Dec 2014 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

16 posts and comments in 15 threads mention BIOL 479, August 2013 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

Winter 2022

BIOL 359 and BIOL 479 2 points, 5 comments

u/Overcomplacent: “Hi I was wondering how much molecular biology knowledge is required to take these courses. I just finished 1B CS and want to fulfill my depth requirement with these, I managed to pass BIOL 239 this term and its brutal final, but I found it fine and interesting for the most part, …”

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Winter 2020

Fall 2019

Not too hard Science courses 1 point, 14 comments

“Hey y’all what are some not super hard Science courses that y’all have taken? I’ve already taken biol 130,240,225, 239, 359, chem 120,123 earth 121 sci 206,207. Need some good 200+ level suggestions. …”

u/boolgogi: “I found BIOL355 to be relatively straightforward (one of those easy 80, hard 90 courses) and if you're decent at math BIOL479 isn't as bad as other courses I found. BIOL266 is straightforward as well, especially if you've taken genetics before”

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BIOL 479 Final 0 points, 4 comments

u/Ruvvvve: “Can anybody who has taken this, tell me how the final was? What was the multiple choice and short answer like? Was it any easier than the multiple choice from midterm 2? or the same difficulty?”

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Biol 479 Midterm 2 3 points, 4 comments

u/Ruvvvve: “Anybody else super clueless or thinking of skipping this? I thought the practice questions for this midterm were way harder compared to the ones for midterm 1.... and when he took the questions up today, it seemed like the whole class was almost as confused as I was... …”

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Fall 2018

Marks not out thread 35 points, 57 comments

“What are you guys waiting on”

u/boolgogi: “BIOL479 (which probably won’t be out for a bit given the exam structure and how recently we wrote it) and BIOL266 (marks on LEARN but not Quest yet)”

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Spring 2018

Fall 2017

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 444 BIOL 447 BIOL 448 BIOL 452 BIOL 456 BIOL 462 BIOL 469 BIOL 470 BIOL 472 BIOL 473 BIOL 479 BIOL 483 BIOL 490A BIOL 490B BIOL 492 BIOL 498A BIOL 498B BIOL 499A BIOL 499B BIOL 605 BIOL 650 BIOL 651 BIOL 669 BIOL 680 BIOL 681 BIOL 690 BME 101 BME 101L BME 121 BME 161 BME …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar