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BIOCORE

Biology Core Curriculum

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The department at a glance

All recorded grades
average GPA
A / AB grades
letter grades

How grades break down

Grades over time

Red: department · Gray: UW–Madison

About these statistics

GPA and percentages are weighted by recorded letter grades. UW comparisons use the same terms. Cross-listed courses count once within this department and once across UW; department totals should not be added together. Grade counts are not unique students. Offering counts reflect captured records, not a complete historical schedule.

Fall 2026

Recorded this term
courses with offerings
instructors recorded

Grades have not been recorded for this term. Historical results remain in the overview above.

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7 courses

Historical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Grade sorting prioritizes courses with at least 100 letter grades.

Orientation to biology research involving team investigation of novel questions and development of experimental and communication skills.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Fall 2025

Covers basic principles of ecology, transmission and population genetics, and evolutionary mechanisms including the origin of life and species diversity.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

The ecology textbook is often considered useless since exams rely on lectures, though the genetics text is useful. Students report the content is not too difficult but requires independent work to navigate unclear exam expectations.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2025

A writing-intensive laboratory exploring genetics and evolution through ecology field trips and research projects.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

The course is graded heavily by a paper and a poster, though reviewers note there are many chances for easy points to balance the workload.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2025

BIOCORE 401 teaches mentoring, group facilitation, and leadership skills for peer learning and small group instruction.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

No recorded grade history

Principles of Physiology explores plant and animal physiology, environmental interactions, and regulatory systems.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Paul Bethke: Grading is primarily based on participation, with in-class activity questions sometimes described as confusing.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2025

Principles of Physiology Laboratory focuses on investigating animal and plant physiology through collaborative independent experiments, emphasizing critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific communication.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2025

BIOCORE 699 is a directed study course involving independent mentored research arranged with a faculty member.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sample

Across course levels

Recorded this term

No released grades for this term.

Recorded offerings over time

Offering snapshots currently cover Fall 2026. Earlier grade records do not provide a complete offering history.