Spring 2027

Introductory Biology

Introductory Biology covers cell structure, cellular metabolism, information flow, genetics, and selected topics in Animal Physiology.

offering recorded5 credits
Recorded instructors · Spring 2027 Simon Gilroy4.5/5Carol Lee3.4/5Jeremiah Yahn2.9/5

Summary

1 / 6

Past student reviews · Simon Gilroy

The course was moderately difficult and memorization-heavy on exams, which some students found tricky. Labs required outside class hours, but TAs were helpful in guiding students through completing lab reports.

What you’ll be able to do

  • Relate the structures of cellular components, such as water, ions, organic chemicals, macromolecules, membranes, and prokaryotic and eukaryotic organelles, to their functions.

  • Outline processes and transformations that cells use to store and release energy via chemical reactions, enzymes, membranes, and the pathways of respiration, fermentation, and photosynthesis.

  • Demonstrate how chromosomal DNA stores and replicates information and uses it to direct the synthesis of RNA and proteins.

  • Model the relationships between chromosomal behavior, genetic information, and physical traits, and predict how information is transmitted during prokaryotic and eukaryotic reproduction.

  • Relate cellular, tissue, and organ structures and processes to their functions in animal physiology and homeostasis, including nervous and endocrine systems, respiration and circulation, digestion and nutrition, and osmoregulation.

  • Identify and investigate scientific problems by interpreting the results of prior research, developing hypotheses, designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and planning future experiments.

  • Demonstrate skills necessary for biological research, including effective teamwork, data collection methods, and scientific communication.

  • Integrate concepts and content from biology and other scientific disciplines to explore current global and societal issues.

Source: UW Guide 1 UW Guide 2 UW Guide 3

Grade history

↗
average GPA
letter grades
A
AB
B
BC
C
D
F

All recorded terms · compare terms & instructors

Prerequisites

Course map

Not open to students with credit forBIOLOGY/​ZOOLOGY 101, 102 or BIOLOGY/​BOTANY 130

BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 used by

“Used by” includes alternatives; linked courses may have other requirements. This is a best-effort interpretation; check the catalog requirements above.

Prerequisite text tree

Professors

Spring 2027

Simon Gilroy

Adjusted rating
RMP difficulty
captured reviews
About this rating

Raw average: 4.60/5 from 127 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.

For this course: 4.8/5 raw quality · 2.9/5 difficulty · 13 reviews

RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.

Past student reviews · Simon Gilroy

Simon Gilroy was described as an engaging lecturer who simplified complex topics, with students noting that all test questions came directly from lectures rather than the textbook. While some found the exams tricky or the course memorization-heavy, the material was generally considered moderately difficult.

Student feedback indicated that lab and discussion components varied significantly depending on the assigned TA, with some students finding labs to be a weaker aspect of the course despite helpful TAs in other terms.

Recent recorded grades — Fall 2023: 3.01 GPA, 34.9% A/AB (n=740 letter grades); Fall 2024: 3.09 GPA, 39.3% A/AB (n=722 letter grades); Fall 2025: 2.93 GPA, 30.6% A/AB (n=888 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.

Adjusted rating
RMP difficulty
captured reviews
About this rating

Raw average: 3.29/5 from 35 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.

RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.

Recent recorded grades — Fall 2010: 2.74 GPA, 19.2% A/AB (n=167 letter grades); Fall 2012: 2.71 GPA, 22.9% A/AB (n=188 letter grades); Spring 2026: 2.93 GPA, 33.7% A/AB (n=445 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.

Jeremiah Yahn

Adjusted rating
RMP difficulty
captured reviews
About this rating

Raw average: 2.69/5 from 58 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.

RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.

Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 3.00 GPA, 39.4% A/AB (n=404 letter grades); Fall 2025: 2.93 GPA, 30.6% A/AB (n=888 letter grades); Spring 2026: 2.93 GPA, 33.7% A/AB (n=445 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.

Historical instructors & teaching patterns

Past student reviews · Seth Blair, Farrah Madison

Past students described Seth Blair as a solid professor who made genetics content clear and easy to understand. One student noted that while the labs required outside class hours, TAs were helpful in guiding them through lab reports. Another student found Farrah Madison’s lectures less engaging, spending more time outside of class to understand topics, though they also found the TAs helpful with lab reports.

CAROL LEE is recorded teaching in Fall 2006, Fall 2008, Fall 2010, Fall 2012, Spring 2026. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

DONNA FERNANDEZ is recorded teaching in Fall 2006, Fall 2010, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

DOUGLAS I ROUSE is recorded teaching in Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Fall 2011, Fall 2012. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

FARRAH MADISON is recorded teaching in Fall 2023, Fall 2024. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

JEREMIAH YAHN is recorded teaching in Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

PHILLIP NEWMARK is recorded teaching in Fall 2019, Fall 2020. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

SETH BLAIR is recorded teaching in Spring 2007, Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

SIMON GILROY is recorded teaching in Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2019, Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Fall 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.

Calendar & sections

Spring 2027

Schedule loads here as you scroll.

SectionModeEnrolled / capacityWaitlist
LEC 001Classroom Instruction0 / 4980
LAB 301Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 302Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 303Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 304Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 305Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 306Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 307Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 308Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 309Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 311Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 312Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 313Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 314Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 316Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 318Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 601Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 602Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 603Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 604Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 605Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 606Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 607Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 608Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 609Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 611Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 612Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 613Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 614Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 616Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 618Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 310Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 610Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 315Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 615Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 317Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 617Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 319Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 619Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LEC 001Classroom Instruction0 / 4980
LAB 301Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 302Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 303Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 304Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 305Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 306Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 307Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 308Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 309Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 311Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 312Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 313Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 314Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 316Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 318Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 601Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 602Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 603Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 604Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 605Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 606Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 607Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 608Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 609Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 611Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 612Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 613Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 614Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 616Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 618Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 310Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 610Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 315Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 615Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 317Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 617Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 319Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 619Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 601Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 602Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 603Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 604Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 605Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 606Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 607Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 608Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 609Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 611Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 612Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 613Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 614Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 616Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 618Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 301Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 302Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 303Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 304Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 305Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 306Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 307Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 308Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 309Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 311Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 312Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 313Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 314Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 316Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 318Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LEC 001Classroom Instruction0 / 4560
DIS 610Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 310Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 615Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 315Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 617Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 317Classroom Instruction0 / 240
DIS 619Classroom Instruction0 / 240
LAB 319Classroom Instruction0 / 240

Times are Central. Select a meeting for details; export includes recorded dates for the selected sections. Enrollment reflects scan time.

Meeting source records
Download part 1Download part 2

Student experience

the class

Past student reviews · Simon Gilroy

Simon Gilroy made this moderately difficult course engaging by simplifying complex topics with a cheerful attitude. Students found his lectures entertaining and his explanations clear, making the material easier to learn.

Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 3.00 GPA, 39.4% A/AB (n=404 letter grades); Fall 2025: 2.93 GPA, 30.6% A/AB (n=888 letter grades); Spring 2026: 2.93 GPA, 33.7% A/AB (n=445 letter grades).

difficulty & workload

Past student reviews · Simon Gilroy

The course was moderately difficult and memorization-heavy on exams, which some students found tricky. Labs required outside class hours, but TAs were helpful in guiding students through completing lab reports.

Past student reviews · Simon Gilroy

Students noted that exam questions came directly from lectures, reducing the need to read the textbook. Gilroy was praised for clearly laying out expectations for what students needed to know and to what extent.

Topics

  • Cell structure and function
  • Cellular metabolism including enzymes, respiration, and photosynthesis
  • Information flow involving DNA, RNA, and protein
  • Principles of genetics
  • Selected topics in Animal Physiology

Skills

  • Cell structure and function, cellular metabolism, information flow, principles of genetics, and animal physiology
  • Scientific investigation, hypothesis development, experimental design, and data analysis
  • Biological research skills, teamwork, data collection, and scientific communication

Grades

Historical instructor

Spring 2027 · Projected

Before grades are released

– average GPA

Approximate 80% prediction interval

About this estimate

The course’s semester-average GPA, not an individual student’s grade. The center uses 5 same-season terms, weighted toward recent results.

The range uses the finite-sample 80th-percentile rank of absolute errors from earlier same-season forecasts. Each forecast uses only records from earlier terms. At least four forecasts are required; bounds are rounded outward and limited to 0–4. This is an empirical estimate: changing instructors or grading policies can reduce its coverage.

8 earlier forecasts · 0.18 GPA average error.

Grades over time

Through Spring 2027

More grade details Grade mix, volume & source data

Where this course fits relative to

Latest available grades · Spring 2026 · all course levels

GPA

Higher than % of other courses in this group.

Course GPAs · red marks this course’s range

letter grades

More recorded grades than % of other courses in this group.

Typical course in this group: letter grades.

About this comparison

1280 courses over the same term, each with at least 30 recorded letter grades. Cross-listed courses count once. GPA is not a measure of difficulty or teaching quality. The typical course is the median by recorded grade count; tied values are not counted as lower. Grade counts describe course scale, not unique students or typical section size.

Descriptions compare GPA with this group’s average: at least 0.20 higher or lower; otherwise close to average. Section size uses median recorded enrollment: small up to 30, mid-sized 31–99, large 100+. Lectures and discussion/lab sections are described separately.

Sources & history

UW–Madison

Catalog & offerings

Descriptions, prerequisites, and recorded course offerings.

Catalog observation history

Observations at scan time; dates do not imply when a catalog change took effect.

Download part 1
Selected offering source records
BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 · Spring 2027

Introductory Biology

Recorded 2026-10-14
BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 · Spring 2027

Introductory Biology

Recorded 2026-10-14
BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 · Spring 2027

Introductory Biology

Recorded 2026-10-14
Raw records 
[
  {
    "run_id": "20261014T203208-0851c9a1",
    "semester": "1274",
    "observed_at": "2026-10-14 17:50:09.728220+00:00",
    "offering_id": "1274:205:019262",
    "course_id": "BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151",
    "course_uid": "course_4722ef6b23bfedc23131f60d",
    "term_id": "1274",
    "source_course_id": "019262",
    "source_subject_id": "205",
    "title": "Introductory Biology",
    "credits_min": 5,
    "credits_max": 5,
    "typically_offered": "Fall, Spring"
  },
  {
    "run_id": "20261014T203208-0851c9a1",
    "semester": "1274",
    "observed_at": "2026-10-14 17:50:09.728220+00:00",
    "offering_id": "1274:208:019262",
    "course_id": "BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151",
    "course_uid": "course_4722ef6b23bfedc23131f60d",
    "term_id": "1274",
    "source_course_id": "019262",
    "source_subject_id": "208",
    "title": "Introductory Biology",
    "credits_min": 5,
    "credits_max": 5,
    "typically_offered": "Fall, Spring"
  },
  {
    "run_id": "20261014T203208-0851c9a1",
    "semester": "1274",
    "observed_at": "2026-10-14 17:50:09.728220+00:00",
    "offering_id": "1274:970:019262",
    "course_id": "BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151",
    "course_uid": "course_4722ef6b23bfedc23131f60d",
    "term_id": "1274",
    "source_course_id": "019262",
    "source_subject_id": "970",
    "title": "Introductory Biology",
    "credits_min": 5,
    "credits_max": 5,
    "typically_offered": "Fall, Spring"
  }
]
Rate My Professors

Student reviews

Original comments behind the course and instructor summaries.

Read original reviews
Download part 1
Madgrades

Grade history

Recorded grade distributions by term, section, and instructor.

Explore recorded grades
Dataset & model

Recorded 2026-10-14

View the dataset on Hugging Face
Model outputs & technical records
Qwen/Qwen3.8-27B
LLM outputs across runs
Download part 1
Full model traces

Recorded model configuration, reasoning, and tool conversations.

Download part 1Download part 2
Model & dataset provenance 
{
  "model": "Qwen/Qwen3.8-27B",
  "model_revision": "1d4bf0f2ff6012fd82039f2fa52739d0dd7c60c0",
  "task_version": "17",
  "output_id": "534ae2b5c54778d29593d1f62551d30c7c8fe5db38bb0b9339e35f1ec863b897",
  "requirements_status": "needs_review",
  "dataset_revision": "fc1811fa52e581ea57a35c0cf3343f8740a8ffbf",
  "observed_at": "2026-10-14 17:50:09.728220+00:00"
}