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Biology of Cells and Organisms (BIOL10004)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This objective of this subject is to familiarise students with modern concepts of cell and organismal biology, including structure and function of multicellular organisms including cell function, systems involved in energy transformations, nutrition, water uptake, excretion, gas exchange, circulation, and immune responses; plant and animal reproduction and development; mechanisms involved in responsiveness and coordination: hormonal control in plants and animals, and nervous systems in animals; and animal movement and behaviour.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students should:
- be aware of the basic processes of life.
- be familiar with the structure and function of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
- understand the cellular processes for harvesting energy: respiration and photosynthesis.
- have a basic knowledge of the structure and function of plants, plant growth, reproduction and defence mechanisms.
- understand that multicellularity in animals depends on homeostasis.
- have a basic knowledge of animal structure and function of digestion, circulation, respiration, excretion, reproduction, immune system, nervous and endocrine systems.
- have a basic knowledge of stem cells and their therapeutic potential.
- understand the evolutionary processes that bring about biological diversity, and the ecological interactions that have shaped particular adaptations.
- appreciate the different approaches to the study of animal behaviour, and understand how and why animals behave the way they do.
- understand the relationships between tissues and organs in the whole animal and appreciate how and why organisms are studied.
- have developed skills in laboratory procedures such as correct use of microscopes; recording observations; hypothesis testing; data analysis, presentation and interpretation.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to critically assess and assimilate new knowledge to use these skills to solve problems
- be able to complete basic manipulations with laboratory equipment
- develop skills in recording observations, analysis and interpretation of data, and dissection techniques.
- be able to work in small groups.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
This subject will only be available to:
Students who have enrolled in a degree at the University of Melbourne prior to 2020
AND
Students who have passed BIOL10005 and require BIOL10004 as a prerequisite for a later year subject such as a student who enrolled mid-year in 2019
OR
Students who have passed BIOL10005 but failed BIOL10004 in semester 1 2019, or prior to 2019 and require both Biology subjects as a prerequisite for later year subjects
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Credit cannot be gained for this subject and any of:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10002 | Biomolecules and Cells | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Students cannot be enrolled in:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10004 | Biology of Cells and Organisms | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Additional details
- work related to practical classes during the semester with a combination of assessment of practical skills within the practical class, completion of 4 or 5 on-line pre-practical tests; written work within the practical not exceeding 500 words; and 2 or 3 short multiple choice tests (25%);
- completion of regular tests on e-learning and skill workshop activities spaced at approximately fortnightly intervals throughout the semester, (3-4% each; total 20%);
- a written assignment not exceeding 500 words (5%),
- a 3 hour examination on theory and practical work in the examination period (50%).
Satisfactory completion of practical work is necessary to pass the subject (i.e. an 80% attendance at the practical classes together with a result for the assessed practical work of at least 50%). A pass (50%) on the examination is also necessary to pass the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Dawn Gleeson Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours One 2 hour lectorial per week, a 1 hour tutorial per week, 2 hours of practical work per fortnight, and 4 hours per week of e-learning activities, independent learning tasks, pre lecture activities, skills workshop activities and post laboratory activities. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Knox R B , Ladiges P Y, Evans B K and Saint R , Biology, An Australian Focus 5th Ed, McGraw-Hill, 2014
- Subject notes
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.
Many second year subjects require the completion of this subject and BIOL10005 Genetics & the Evolution of Life.
This subject involves the use of animals that form an essential part of the learning objectives for this subject. Please note: There are some non-dissection alternatives for those who have strong philosophical objections and these and other alternatives can be discussed with the subject co-ordinator.
Required equipment - laboratory coat. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Bachelor of Agriculture Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Production Animal Health Major Sustainable Production Specialisation (formal) Biomedical with Business Specialisation (formal) Biomedical Breadth Track Genetics and Society Breadth Track Biotechnology Breadth Track Microbiology and immunology Breadth Track Cell and Developmental Biology Breadth Track Ecology, Evolution and Humanity Breadth Track Ecology Breadth Track General Genetics - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024