BCMB20002 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- Final exam 50%
Is BCMB20002 hard?
BCMB20002: About average. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it takes a lot of time, 1 other hurdle task.
What you learn
How proteins, DNA, lipids and sugars are built and work, and how cells get energy through metabolism.
After it you can
- Use maths models to analyse enzyme activity
- Analyse DNA and protein sequences
- Compare energy metabolism with and without oxygen
What you need first
(BIOL10002 or BIOL10008 or BIOL10009 or BIOL10004 or BIOL10005) and (CHEM10003 or CHEM10004 or CHEM10006 or CHEM10009)
- BIOL10002 Biomolecules and Cells
- BIOL10008 Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery
- CHEM10003 Chemistry 1
- CHEM10004 Chemistry 2
- CHEM10006 Chemistry for Biomedicine
What it leads to
- ANSC30001 Animal Disease Biotechnology 1
- ANSC30002 Animal Disease Biotechnology 2
- ANSC30006 Production Animal Health
- ANSC30008 Production Animal Physiology
- BCMB30001 Protein Structure and Function
- BCMB30002 Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics
- BCMB30004 Cell Signalling and Neurochemistry
- BCMB30010 Advanced Techniques in Molecular Science
- BCMB30011 Cellular Metabolism and Disease
- BCMB30012 Current Advances in Molecular Science
- BIOL30001 Reproductive Physiology
- BIOL30002 Experimental Animal Biology
- BMEN30011 Introduction to MedTech Innovation
- BOTA30005 Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
- CEDB30002 Principles of Cell Biology
- CEDB30003 Experimental Developmental Biology
- CEDB30004 Advances in Stem Cell Biology
- MIIM30002 Principles of Immunology
- MIIM30015 Techniques in Immunology
- MIIM30017 Medical Microbiology: Parasitology
- VETS30016 Veterinary Bioscience: Digestive System
- VETS30029 Veterinary Bioscience: Cells to Systems
- VETS30030 Introduction to Professional Practice
- VETS30031 Animal Production Systems 1
Can’t be taken together with
How it’s assessed
Tests 30%, Quizzes 20%, Final exam 50%, Participation 0%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2024–2026)
- Content-heavy and application-focused; you need steady effort, but doing well is very possible.
- MSTs and the exam closely follow tutorial questions, quizzes and the practice exam. Attend tutes and redo the practice papers.
- Marking rewards specific details in short answers and assignments, and some found it harsh.
- Several found the later modules' video lectures unclear and had to rely on the slides and learning outcomes.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate BCMB20002
Quick answers
- When is BCMB20002 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking BCMB20002?
- Needs (BIOL10002 or BIOL10008 or BIOL10009 or BIOL10004 or BIOL10005) and (CHEM10003 or CHEM10004 or CHEM10006 or CHEM10009).
- Does BCMB20002 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 50% of the mark. Assessment: Tests 30%, Quizzes 20%, Final exam 50%, Participation 0%.
- Is BCMB20002 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Content-heavy and application-focused; you need steady effort, but doing well is very possible.
- What do students say about BCMB20002?
- Content-heavy and application-focused; you need steady effort, but doing well is very possible. MSTs and the exam closely follow tutorial questions, quizzes and the practice exam. Attend tutes and redo the practice papers. Marking rewards specific details in short answers and assignments, and some found it harsh.
- Can I take BCMB20002 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, 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.
- What can I take after BCMB20002?
- 24 subjects need it first, for example ANSC30001, ANSC30002, ANSC30006, ANSC30008.
- Can I rate BCMB20002?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
PickMySubjects is a free, unofficial planner made by a UniMelb graduate.