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Biology: Life's Complexity (BIOL10011)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject builds on students’ prior knowledge of biology and will 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, community, ecosystem and biome. 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:
- demonstrate an understanding of evolution and the underlying 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 biomes;
- 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;
- identify connections between major concepts in biology; and
- design and carry out a small research project.
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 biological discoveries; and
- demonstrate well developed information literacy and communication skills.
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
A study score of 25 or above in VCE Biology Units 3/4 or an equivalent
Please see the subject notes below for information on how to submit your transcripts if you did not study the Victorian Certificate in Education (VCE).
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - 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
Subject notes:
If you did not study the Victorian Certificate in Education (VCE) please submit a copy of all your relevant transcripts via an Enrolment Variation form. You will then be enrolled in the correct Biology subject(s). There is no need to contact the subject coordinator directly. The Enrolments team will refer you to the Subject Coordinator if required.
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
4 pre-class or in-class quizzes (2.5% each, 10% total), no more than 400 words, spaced at approximately three-weekly intervals across the semester
| 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 (5%) each, 1000 words (25%) in total, across the semester
| Throughout the semester | 25% |
A written practical class report
| End of semester | 15% |
Written examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinators Stephen Swearer, Ollie Thomas, Kirsten Parris, and Lara Grollo Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (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 26 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 6 August 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 Semester 2 contact information
Last updated: 15 February 2024
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
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: 15 February 2024