Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity (BIOL10010)

Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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As part of the University’s response to COVID-19 and the associated Government restrictions and guidelines, most subjects will continue to be delivered online in Winter and Semester 2.
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.

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 2
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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 will introduce and investigate five core concepts in biology: evolution, structure & function, regulation, transmission of information and interconnectedness. These concepts will be studied at the level of the individual, population, ecosystem and biome, assuming no prior knowledge of biology. Topics include evolution of the diversity of life, and evolution in response to natural and human-induced environmental changes (from antibiotic resistance to climate change); the structure, function and behaviour of organisms and how these change across environmental gradients; energy flow and material cycling through organisms and ecosystems; transmission of genetic, social and cultural information between organisms in a population or community; relationships between individuals, populations, species and their environment, and the processes that shape populations, ecological communities and ecosystems.

Intended learning outcomes

At the completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • use the foundational language of biology relevant to organisms, populations and ecosystems, and the classification of life's diversity.
  • demonstrate an understanding of evolution and the processes that have resulted in the diversity and complexity of life on earth
  • describe the structural and functional complexity that results from the aggregation of cells into organised organs and systems.
  • explain metabolic and physiological regulation as it relates to the maintenance of homeostasis in individual organisms
  • identify communication and information flows between organisms and within and between populations
  • describe energy flow and material cycling through individual organisms, ecosystems and biome
  • explain the interconnectedness in living systems including that between parents and offspring, and ecological interactions of organisms
  • 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 biological discoveries
  • demonstrate well developed information literacy and communication skills

Last updated: 21 January 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BIOL10011 Biology: Life's Complexity
Semester 2 (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.

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: 21 January 2025

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

DescriptionTimingPercentage

6 pre-class or in-class quizzes, no more than 600 words, approximately fortnightly intervals across the semester, 2.5 % each, 15% total

  • 600 words
Throughout the semester15%

5 practical/workshop assessment tasks, quivalent to 200 words each, 1000 words in total, across the semester, 5% each, 25% in total

  • 1000 words
Hurdle requirement: successful completion of practical work is required to pass the subject. This includes 80% attendance at practical sessions and an overall pass in the practical/workshop assessment tasks 		Throughout the semester25%

A written practical class report, 400 words, end of semester, 10%

  • 400 words
End of semester10%

Examination, 2 hours, during the exam period, 50%

  • 2 hours
Hurdle requirement: examination must be passed in order to pass the subject		During the examination period50%

Last updated: 21 January 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorsKrista Paterson, Stephen Swearer, Sarah Leahey, and Kirsten Parris
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours36 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 commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020
    Last self-enrol date14 August 2020
    Census date21 September 2020
    Last date to withdraw without fail16 October 2020
    Assessment period ends27 November 2020

    Semester 2 contact information

    BIOL10010-info@unimelb.edu.au

     

Last updated: 21 January 2025

Further information

Last updated: 21 January 2025