← Biology Core Curriculum (BIOCORE)

Hardest courses in Biology Core Curriculum

Plan ahead for courses where students have earned lower grades.

Lowest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.

Find your fit

5 courses

Historical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Only courses with at least 100 letter grades are ranked.

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

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

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

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