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Biology: Life's Machinery (BIOL10009)
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 subject builds on students’ prior knowledge of biology, exploring 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:
- 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 interconnected 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
- identify connections between major concepts in biology
- design and carry out a small research project
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
A study score of 25 in VCE Biology Units 3 and 4, or equivalent.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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 |
---|---|---|
Four pre-class or in-class quizzes, no more than 400 words in total, spaced at approximately three-weekly intervals across the semester, 2.5% each, 10% in total;
| Throughout the semester | 10% |
5 practical/workshop assessment tasks which will include assessment of competencies and techniques within the practical class and quizzes before and/or in classes, equivalent to 200 words each, 1000 words in total, across the semester, based on practical classes, 5% each, 25% in total
| Throughout the semester | 25% |
A written practical class report, 600 words, due at the end of semester, 15%
| End of semester | 15% |
Written examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinators Lynette O'Neill, Andrew Pask, and Jennifer Fox Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours • 36 Lectures (3 per week) • 15 hours of practical (5 x 3 hours per fortnight) • 15 hours of workshop/tutorial activities (5 x 3 hours per fortnight); 4-5 of these hours will be set aside for independent work on the report 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