Biomolecules and Cells (BIOL10002)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject builds on students’ prior knowledge, 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. Topics will include the evolution of life from the abiotic to the individual, the molecular and physical structure of the cell, cell replication and gene expression, homeostasis and physiological systems regulation, 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 perform an inquiry-based project and interpret the data.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding and application of the scientific process in theoretical and practical settings;
- use appropriate protocols for making observations and recording data;
- competently use appropriate equipment;
- use quantitative reasoning and analysis;
- collaborate effectively in a team;
- demonstrate well developed information literacy and communication skills.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the B-BMED Bachelor of Biomedicine
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL10008 | Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Not available in 2025 |
12.5 |
Pre 2021: BIOL10004 - Biology of Cells and Organisms
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Test 1 – 30 minutes (Week 4) 10% Test 2 – 60 minutes invigilated MST (Weeks 8 – 9) 20% Test 3 – 30 minutes (Weeks 11 – 12) 10%
| Throughout the teaching period | 40% |
Laboratory practical attendance and completion of in class activities Hurdle requirement: Student participation in practical activities for at least 80% of the practical classes as demonstrated by submission of practical notes and activities completed before and during class. For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submission must be submitted during or immediately after the scheduled practical class and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Written Assignment- A written report comprising: (i) Individual component (200-word equivalent per student) due Week 5-7, 4%; (ii) Team member evaluation (100-word equivalent per student), due Week 12, 2% (iii) Group report: (700 words per group), due Week 10-12, 14%.
| From Week 5 to Week 12 | 20% |
Written examination
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Lauren Salo Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours of interactive seminars (2 x 1 hour per week across semester) 15 hours of practical classes (5 x 3 hours, approximately fortnightly across semester) 12 hours of workshops (6 x 2 hours, fortnightly across semester) Students are also expected to undertake up to 24 hours of independent online activities including watching videos and instant feedback activities (2 hr per week) Total time commitment 175 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 175 hours
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.
Additional delivery details
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
This subject involves the use of animals that form an essential part of the learning objectives for this subject. Please note: There are some non-dissection alternatives for those who have strong philosophical objections and these and other alternatives can be discussed with the subject co-ordinator.
Required Equipment - Laboratory coat.
B-BMED students who fail this subject with a mark of 45-49%, who do not fail any other subjects in the same semester may be eligible for a progression supplementary exam for this subject in line with the Assessment Procedure (point 15). Students will be contacted via email by the University Results final release date if they are eligible.
- Related Handbook entries
- 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.
Last updated: 4 March 2025