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Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery (BIOL10008)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Summer Term
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Summer Term - Online Semester 1 - Online |
|---|---|
| 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
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- 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: 8 August 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (Online) |
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: 8 August 2023
Assessment
| 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: 8 August 2023
Dates & times
- Summer Term - Online
Principal coordinator Dawn Gleeson Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 36 lectures (6 per week) 15 hours of practical (5 x 3 hours one per week for 5 weeks) 12 hours of tutorials (6 x 2 hour per week for 6 weeks) 5 hours of workshops (5 x 1 per week for 5 weeks) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 4 January 2021 to 12 February 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 January 2021 Census date 22 January 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 February 2021 Assessment period ends 26 February 2021 Summer Term contact information
- Semester 1 - Online
Coordinators Jennifer Fox, Andrew Pask, and Brianna Steed Mode of delivery Online 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 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
Last updated: 8 August 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Sadava DE, Hillis DM, Heller HC, Hacker SD, and Hall DW, Life: The Science of Biology 12th edition, Macmillan, 2020, ISBN 9781319315788
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 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 (Production)
- 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: 8 August 2023