BIOL10008 Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery
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 BIOL10008 hard?
BIOL10008: About average. Makes it easier: First-year subject. Makes it harder: You must pass the exam on its own, 5.5 class hours a week. The easier and harder points roughly balance out.
What you learn
Life at the molecular and cell level: evolution, cell structure, genes and how bodies regulate themselves.
After it you can
- Explain how cells work and pass on information
- Describe how organisms regulate their internal state
- Link biology ideas to experiments and data
What you need first
None
What it leads to
- AGRI20035 Applied Crop Production and Horticulture
- AGRI20036 Ecology and Grazing Management
- AGRI20044 Microbiology in Agriculture
- ANAT20006 Principles of Human Structure
- ANSC20001 Animal Physiology and Growth
- ANSC20002 Comparative Nutrition and Digestion
- ANSC30004 Applied Animal Reproduction & Genetics
- BCMB20002 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- BCMB20005 Techniques in Molecular Science
- BIOL20001 Evolution: Making Sense Of Life
- 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
- CEDB20003 Fundamentals of Cell Biology
- 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
- PHYS20008 Human Physiology
- VETS20019 Frontiers in Veterinary Science
- ZOOL20005 Animal Structure and Function
- ZOOL20006 Comparative Animal Physiology
Can’t be taken together with
- BIOL10009
- BIOL10002 Biomolecules and Cells
How it’s assessed
Tests 40%, Reports and essays 20%, Final exam 40%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2024–2026)
- 2024-2025 reviews were mostly negative: poor organisation, short pre-recorded videos and little support.
- 2026 reviewers say it was redesigned and is much better, with regular lectures, a predictable exam and an allowed cheat sheet.
- Earlier reviewers found it hard without VCE Biology; 2026 reviewers felt newcomers could manage.
- Still not a free subject: expect solid effort, and take care with the strictly marked group project.
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 BIOL10008
Quick answers
- When is BIOL10008 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking BIOL10008?
- No prerequisites.
- Does BIOL10008 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 40% of the mark. You must pass the exam on its own. Assessment: Tests 40%, Reports and essays 20%, Final exam 40%.
- Is BIOL10008 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: 2024-2025 reviews were mostly negative: poor organisation, short pre-recorded videos and little support.
- What do students say about BIOL10008?
- 2024-2025 reviews were mostly negative: poor organisation, short pre-recorded videos and little support. 2026 reviewers say it was redesigned and is much better, with regular lectures, a predictable exam and an allowed cheat sheet. Earlier reviewers found it hard without VCE Biology; 2026 reviewers felt newcomers could manage.
- How many class hours a week does BIOL10008 have?
- 5.5 h a week in class
- Can I take BIOL10008 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 BIOL10008?
- 31 subjects need it first, for example AGRI20035, AGRI20036, AGRI20044, ANAT20006.
- Can I rate BIOL10008?
- 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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