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Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery (BIOL10008)
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 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is designed for students with no prior knowledge of biology. The subject will focus on establishing foundational knowledge in biology and building on this to provide students with a thorough understanding of key concepts. It explores the diversity and unity of life through the lens of five core concepts: evolution, cell theory, regulation, transmission of information and interconnectedness in biological systems. These concepts will be studied at the molecular, cellular, and individual level, including the evolution of life from the abiotic to the individual, the molecular and physical structure of the cell, cell replication and gene expression, homeostasis, photosynthesis and respiration, and interactions within and between organisms.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject students should be able to:
- use the foundational language of biology to describe the parts of cells and organisms, biomolecules, key biological processes and biological classification
- demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of life from the molecular level to the multicellular
- recognize cells as the fundamental structural and functional unit of life with respect to their molecular machinery, cellular function and cellular interaction
- explain the importance of information being conserved, or modified within, and transferred between, cells and organisms
- describe the chemical nature of biological processes and the way cells and organisms regulate their (internal) environment
- explain the interconnectedness and interacting nature of living systems by drawing on examples of networks at the molecular, cellular and individual levels
- identify biology as an evolving science based on concepts developed from observations, experiments and data analysis
- write a report based on analysis of biological data
Generic skills
- demonstrate an understanding of and apply the scientific process in a theoretical and practical setting
- use appropriate protocols for making observations and recording data.
- competently use appropriate equipment
- use quantitative reasoning and analysis
- integrate biology with other disciplines
- collaborate effectively in a team
- understand the social, legal and ethical implications of studying and practising biology and of biological discoveries
- demonstrate well developed information literacy and communication skills
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Students who have completed VCE Biology Units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 25 (or equivalent IB or other study) will not be eligible to gain credit for this subject.
Students who have passed BIOL10005 but have not passed BIOL10004 must enrol in BIOL10004 in 2020, not BIOL10008 or BIOL10009
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: 15 February 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
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
6 pre-class or in-class quizzes, no more than 600 words, approximately fortnightly intervals across the semester, 2.5 % each, 15% total
| Throughout the semester | 15% |
5 practical/workshop assessment tasks, equivalent to 200 words each, 1000 words in total, across the semester, 5% each, 25% in total
| Throughout the semester | 25% |
A written practical class report, 400 words, due end of semester
| End of semester | 10% |
Examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinators Andrew Pask, Jennifer Fox, and Lynette O'Neill Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 lectures (3 per week), 15 hours of practical (5 x 3 hours per fortnight), 12 hours of tutorials (12 x 1 hour per week for 12 weeks), 5 hours of workshops (5 x1 hour per fortnight), 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
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Recommended text:
Knox R B , Ladiges P Y, Evans B K and Saint R , Biology, An Australian Focus 5th Ed, McGraw-Hill, 2014
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- 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 through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- 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: 15 February 2024