Biology: Life's Machinery (BIOL10009)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville) and On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
Contact information
Summer Term
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Summer Term - Dual-Delivery Semester 1 - On Campus |
|---|---|
| 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; 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 of biological discoveries; and
- demonstrate well developed information literacy and communication skills.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
A study score of 25 in VCE Biology Units 3 and 4, or 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).
Or
Admission into the MC-BIOMENG Master of Biomedical Engineering
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - 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: 14 March 2025
Assessment
Semester 1
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
4 pre-class or in-class quizzes (2.5% each, 10% in 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% |
Summer Term
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
4 pre-class or in-class quizzes (2.5% each), evenly spaced across the 6 weeks
| Throughout the teaching period | 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%) total, across the teaching period
| Throughout the teaching period | 25% |
A written practical class report
| End of the teaching period | 15% |
Written examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Dates & times
- Summer Term - Dual-Delivery
Coordinators Brianna Steed and Alex Andrianopoulos Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 36 Lectures (6 x 1hr per week), 15 hours of practical (5 x 3 hours per week for 5 weeks), 15 hours of workshop/tutorial activities (5 x 3 hours, one per week for 5 weeks); 4-5 of these hours will be set aside for independent work on the report. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 January 2023 to 10 February 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 January 2023 Census date 20 January 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 February 2023 Assessment period ends 26 February 2023 Summer Term contact information
- Semester 1 - On Campus
Coordinator Alex Andrianopoulos Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 Lectures (3 x 1hr per week), 15 hours of practical (5 x 3 hours per fortnight), 15 hours of workshop/tutorial activities (5 x 3 hours per fortnight) and 4-5 of these hours will be set aside for independent work on the report Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2023 Census date 31 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023 Assessment period ends 23 June 2023 Semester 1 contact information
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
Last updated: 14 March 2025