UW BIOL 180: Introductory Biology
BIOL 180 is the first course in UW's introductory biology series, covering evolution, Mendelian genetics, and ecology. It's the entry point for biology, pre-health, and life-science majors, taught in large active-learning lectures with frequent in-class assessment.
Fennie is independent and not affiliated with University of Washington. This is an unofficial study guide.
What makes it hard
BIOL 180 tests experimental reasoning, not memorization. Exam questions present data and ask you to interpret or design experiments, which blindsides students expecting recall questions. The volume of reading is heavy, and the active-learning format means falling behind on pre-class prep shows up immediately in graded clicker questions.
What you'll cover
- • Natural selection and evolution
- • Phylogenetics
- • Mendelian and population genetics
- • Ecology and population dynamics
- • Experimental design and data interpretation
- • Speciation and biodiversity
The BIOL 180 study guide
How to study for UW BIOL 180, step by step.
- 1
Do the pre-class reading on schedule, every time
BIOL 180's active-learning format means graded in-class questions assume you've read. Falling behind on reading costs points immediately, not just at the exam.
- 2
Study figures, not definitions
Exams hand you data and ask you to interpret it or design the next experiment. Practice reading graphs and tables from the textbook and asking what conclusion they support. That's the tested skill.
- 3
Work genetics problems by hand
Punnett squares, pedigrees, and population genetics calculations need to be performed, not recognized. Do every practice problem twice: once with notes, once without, a few days apart.
- 4
Use old exams to calibrate
Past BIOL 180 exams reveal how experimental-design questions are actually phrased. Most students are shocked the first time. Calibrate early, not during midterm week.
Today
Today's BIOL 180 plan
What a Fennie Daily Plan looks like for BIOL 180. Yours is built from your own syllabus and adapts every day to your deadlines and progress.
First plan free, no card required. Fennie is independent and unaffiliated with your school.
FAQ
Is BIOL 180 hard?
Yes, in a specific way: exams test data interpretation and experimental design rather than recall. Students who study by memorizing definitions consistently underperform.
What's the best way to study for BIOL 180 exams?
Practice with old exam questions and focus on interpreting figures and designing experiments. Do the pre-class reading on schedule, since the in-class points depend on it.
Do I take BIOL 180 before CHEM 142?
They're independent courses, but pre-health students often run them in parallel. Check your intended major's recommended sequence, since the BIOL 180/200/220 series can be taken in different orders for some tracks.
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