BCMB30002 Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics
University of Melbourne · Level 3 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 45%
- About 2 class hours a week
Is BCMB30002 hard?
BCMB30002: About average. Makes it easier: Only 2 class hours a week.
What you learn
How genomes are organised and controlled, and the tools used to study and edit genes.
After it you can
- Analyse genomic data with bioinformatics tools
- Write scripts to work with genomic data
- Plan gene editing experiments with CRISPR
What you need first
BCMB20002 or BIOM20001
What it leads to
How it’s assessed
Assignments 35%, Tests 20%, Final exam 45%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 6 students on StudentVIP (2016–2026)
- In 2026, R coding was added but not really taught (just worksheets), and assignment instructions were seen as vague.
- MSTs were considered straightforward, but some exam questions went beyond what was taught.
- Views on the content are split: some found it dry and disorganised, others enjoyed it and some saw it as a WAM booster.
- The cancer genetics and epigenetics modules are repeatedly named as highlights.
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 BCMB30002
Quick answers
- When is BCMB30002 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking BCMB30002?
- Needs BCMB20002 or BIOM20001.
- Does BCMB30002 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 45% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 35%, Tests 20%, Final exam 45%.
- Is BCMB30002 hard?
- From 6 student reviews on StudentVIP: In 2026, R coding was added but not really taught (just worksheets), and assignment instructions were seen as vague.
- What do students say about BCMB30002?
- In 2026, R coding was added but not really taught (just worksheets), and assignment instructions were seen as vague. MSTs were considered straightforward, but some exam questions went beyond what was taught. Views on the content are split: some found it dry and disorganised, others enjoyed it and some saw it as a WAM booster.
- How many class hours a week does BCMB30002 have?
- 2 h a week in class
- Can I take BCMB30002 as breadth?
- No, it isn’t listed as breadth for any course.
- What can I take after BCMB30002?
- 1 subjects need it first, for example PHYS30012.
- Can I rate BCMB30002?
- 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.
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