BIOL10002 Biomolecules and Cells
University of Melbourne · Level 1 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 40%: mostly coursework
- About 5.5 class hours a week
- 20% group work
Is BIOL10002 hard?
BIOL10002: Harder. Not counted by Bachelor of Science, so it isn't on its lists. Makes it easier: First-year subject. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it takes a lot of time, You must pass the exam on its own, 5.5 class hours a week.
What you learn
Life at the molecular and cell level: evolution, cell structure, genes, regulation and how organisms interact.
After it you can
- Explain how cells work and pass on information
- Describe how organisms regulate their internal state
- Design and run a small inquiry project
What you need first
admission to B-BMED
What it leads to
- ANSC20001 Animal Physiology and Growth
- ANSC20002 Comparative Nutrition and Digestion
- BCMB20002 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- BCMB20005 Techniques in Molecular Science
- BIOL20001 Evolution: Making Sense Of Life
- BIOM20001 Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine
- BIOM20002 Human Structure and Function
- BMEN20002 Anatomy & Physiology for Bioengineering
- BMEN30009 Introduction to Biomaterials
- BOTA20001 Green Planet: Plants and the Environment
- BOTA20002 Plant Biodiversity
- BOTA20004 Flora of Victoria
- BTCH20002 Biotechnology
- BTCH30002 Trends & Issues in Agrifood Biotech
- ECOL20003 Ecology
- ENST30003 Green Infrastructure Technologies
- EVSC20004 Blue Planet - Intro to Marine Biology
- FOOD20006 Food Microbiology and Safety
- FRST30003 Urban Forest Ecosystems
- GENE20001 Foundations of Genetics and Genomics
- GENE20004 Applications of Genetics and Genomics
- MAST20031 Analysis of Biological Data
- PHRM20001 Pharmacology: How Drugs Work
- VETS20019 Frontiers in Veterinary Science
- ZOOL20005 Animal Structure and Function
- ZOOL20006 Comparative Animal Physiology
Can’t be taken together with
- BIOL10008 Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery
- BIOL10009
- BIOL10004
Careers
Helps toward: Biochemist, Microbiologist, Laboratory scientist, Zoologist, Veterinarian, Biotechnologist
How it’s assessed
Tests 40%, Assignments 20%, Final exam 40%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2019–2025)
- Content jumps between many areas of biology, which several found disjointed and a lot to manage in 12 weeks.
- Harder without high-school biology; keeping up with lectures is strongly advised.
- Organisation and lecture quality were seen as inconsistent, and written-task marking varied by marker.
- Practicals, especially dissections, are a highlight, and the practice question booklets help.
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 BIOL10002
Quick answers
- When is BIOL10002 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking BIOL10002?
- Needs admission to B-BMED.
- Does BIOL10002 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 40% of the mark. You must pass the exam on its own. Assessment: Tests 40%, Assignments 20%, Final exam 40%.
- Is BIOL10002 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Content jumps between many areas of biology, which several found disjointed and a lot to manage in 12 weeks.
- What do students say about BIOL10002?
- Content jumps between many areas of biology, which several found disjointed and a lot to manage in 12 weeks. Harder without high-school biology; keeping up with lectures is strongly advised. Organisation and lecture quality were seen as inconsistent, and written-task marking varied by marker.
- How many class hours a week does BIOL10002 have?
- 5.5 h a week in class
- Can I take BIOL10002 as breadth?
- No, it isn’t listed as breadth for any course.
- What can I take after BIOL10002?
- 26 subjects need it first, for example ANSC20001, ANSC20002, BCMB20002, BCMB20005.
- Can I rate BIOL10002?
- 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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