The Introductory Biology Series is the appropriate course sequence for biology and science majors, as well as students who are interested in health-related professions.

BIOL 180 Introductory Biology 

BIOL 180 is a 5-credit introductory course in biology without any prerequisites, and it is intended for any student who wants to begin a study of the living world. This course will investigate evolution, ecology, conservation, and biodiversity. Students will be able to decipher puzzles in population genetics, as well as to determine whether a claim is scientific or not. All students take an associated sequence of lab exercises which support the lecture course.

BIOL 200 Introductory Biology 

BIOL 200 is a 5-credit introductory course in molecular and cellular biology. This course requires BIOL180 as a prerequisite, as well as chemistry coursework. Each class will investigate an aspect of how molecules (like DNA, RNA, and proteins) and many types of cells function as parts of living systems. Students in BIOL 200 are able to observe and predict the impacts of mutations, as well as understand how huge numbers of components interact in each part of the body.

BIOL 220 Introductory Biology 

BIOL 220 is a 5-credit introductory course in physiology. This course requires BIOL 200 as a prerequisite and is the last course needed before students can apply to the UW Biology major. Students will study how organs and tissues allow living creatures to survive; additionally, systems like photosynthesis, the heart, and the lungs will be examined.

Introductory Series Course Equivalencies

Washington state community college courses: Most Washington state community colleges offer general biology sequences for science majors that are equivalent to the UW Biology introductory series. Please use the Equivalency Guide to check the course equivalencies for your community college. 

Four-year colleges: Courses from four-year colleges, both in and out of state, are not guaranteed to transfer in as the UW Biology introductory series and will need to be reviewed by the department. Please email the course syllabus (with a lecture and lab schedule) to an academic adviser to request an equivalency review.