BIOL10011 Biology: Life's Complexity
University of Melbourne · Level 1 · 12.5 points · Not running in 2026.
- Final exam 40%: mostly coursework
Is BIOL10011 hard?
BIOL10011: About average. Not running in 2026, so it isn't on the lists. Makes it easier: First-year subject.
What you learn
Biology from individuals to ecosystems: evolution, how organisms work and interact, and energy flow.
After it you can
- Explain how evolution created life's diversity
- Describe energy and material cycles in ecosystems
- Design and run a small inquiry project
What you need first
a VCE Biology study score of 25 or more (or equivalent)
What it leads to
- AGRI20035 Applied Crop Production and Horticulture
- AGRI20036 Ecology and Grazing Management
- AGRI20037 Crop Production and Management
- AGRI20044 Microbiology in Agriculture
- AGRI30048 Plant Breeding and Genetics
- ANAT20006 Principles of Human Structure
- ANSC20002 Comparative Nutrition and Digestion
- BIOL20001 Evolution: Making Sense Of Life
- BOTA20001 Green Planet: Plants and the Environment
- BOTA20002 Plant Biodiversity
- BOTA20004 Flora of Victoria
- 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
- MAST20031 Analysis of Biological Data
- MIIM20001 Principles of Microbiology & Immunology
- 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
Careers
Helps toward: Biochemist, Microbiologist, Laboratory scientist, Zoologist, Veterinarian, Biotechnologist
How it’s assessed
Tests 40%, Reports and essays 20%, Final exam 40%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2021–2023)
- Most reviewers criticised poor organisation, limited staff support and inconsistent feedback and marking.
- Content is seen as dry by many, and most advise taking it only if it is a prerequisite.
- Difficulty views are split: some called it easy with a high H1, others found questions poor and support lacking.
- The exam was generally considered fair; group project marking was reported as inconsistent with draft feedback.
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 BIOL10011
Quick answers
- When is BIOL10011 offered?
- Not running in 2026.
- What do I need before taking BIOL10011?
- Needs a VCE Biology study score of 25 or more (or equivalent).
- Does BIOL10011 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 40% of the mark. Assessment: Tests 40%, Reports and essays 20%, Final exam 40%.
- Is BIOL10011 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Most reviewers criticised poor organisation, limited staff support and inconsistent feedback and marking.
- What do students say about BIOL10011?
- Most reviewers criticised poor organisation, limited staff support and inconsistent feedback and marking. Content is seen as dry by many, and most advise taking it only if it is a prerequisite. Difficulty views are split: some called it easy with a high H1, others found questions poor and support lacking.
- Can I take BIOL10011 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 BIOL10011?
- 24 subjects need it first, for example AGRI20035, AGRI20036, AGRI20037, AGRI20044.
- Can I rate BIOL10011?
- 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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