Looking for a gentler semester? Start with courses where students have earned higher grades.
Highest 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.
Historical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Only courses with at least 100 letter grades are ranked.
GENETICS 699 is a special problems course allowing students to conduct individual advanced work in a specific area of Genetics under faculty guidance.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026A seminar for CIBM program trainees discussing current research in computation and informatics in biology and medicine.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Explores the use of molecular genetics, including biobanking, gene editing, and nuclear transfer, to address biodiversity loss and conserve threatened animal populations.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026IMMUNOGENETICS explores the interaction between genetics and the immune system, examining genetic mechanisms behind individual immunological differences.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025GENETICS 375 covers specialized subject matter of current interest to undergraduate students.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Fall 2025GENETICS 155 introduces the discipline of genetics, UW research projects, campus resources, and career options for genetics undergraduates.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025This course explores contemporary evolutionary biology while developing critical thinking and communication skills through seminars and primary literature analysis.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026GENETICS LABORATORY provides practical experience in classical and molecular genetic laboratory techniques using plants, animals, and fungi.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Covers genetics and genomics applied to plant development, including breeding systems, linkage, and genome structure.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025GENETICS IN THE NEWS explores the genetics and methodologies behind current news headlines to help students make informed citizen decisions.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Success requires attentive listening during lectures and thorough familiarity with the provided PowerPoint slides. The quizzes are a primary grading component and have been noted as potentially confusing, necessitating careful study of the specific course materials.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026NEUROGENETICS explores the genetic basis of nervous system development, structure, function, and dysfunction, emphasizing research on neurological disorders and experimental approaches.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Reviewers report excessive busy work, including long study guides and numerous assignments, arguing the workload is disproportionate for a two-credit course.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Covers the molecular basis of bacterial physiology and genetics, focusing on mechanisms like transcription, translation, and gene regulation.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Katrina Forest: Exams are open book but very hard, forcing students to understand material inside out and problem-solve on the fly.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025Covers principles and methods of modern human genetics, focusing on disease discovery and clinical application.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The material is difficult, and grades are primarily based on three exams and two papers.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025Principles of Genetics covers transmission, molecular, and evolutionary genetics in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, including genetic engineering and societal issues.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Grades rely almost entirely on exams, which make up the vast majority of the final score. Students note that non-exam work like discussions and attendance is minimal, though one reviewer found pre-lecture expectations heavy.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026General genetics covering eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems, transmission, mapping, molecular mechanisms, and engineering.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The molecular genetics portion taught by David Wassarman is described as significantly harder and more complex than transmission genetics. Reviewers report that exams are incredibly difficult, with Wassarman requiring deep answers and grading more harshly than Bret Payseur.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025