CEDB20003 Fundamentals of Cell Biology
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 50%
- About 5 class hours a week
- 10% group work
Is CEDB20003 hard?
CEDB20003: Harder. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it takes a lot of time, 5 class hours a week.
What you learn
How human, animal and plant cells are built and work, and the signals that change what cells do.
After it you can
- Explain eukaryotic cell structure and function
- Analyse cell biology data
- Explain cell biology to different audiences
What you need first
BIOL10008 or BIOL10009
What it leads to
- BIOL30001 Reproductive Physiology
- BIOL30002 Experimental Animal Biology
- BOTA30005 Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
- CEDB30002 Principles of Cell Biology
- CEDB30003 Experimental Developmental Biology
- CEDB30004 Advances in Stem Cell Biology
Can’t be taken together with
How it’s assessed
Tests 20%, Assignments 15%, Quizzes 15%, Final exam 50%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 6 students on StudentVIP (2014–2025)
- Very content heavy and broad, with lots of memorisation. Several reviewers found it hard to tell which details matter.
- Since 2020 it uses self-paced online modules instead of lectures, so you need strong self-discipline. Opinions on this format are split.
- The exam expects you to apply concepts, not just recall them. Pace yourself, because early modules support the later dense ones.
- Several suggest taking it only if you need it as a prerequisite or genuinely enjoy cell biology.
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 CEDB20003
Quick answers
- When is CEDB20003 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking CEDB20003?
- Needs BIOL10008 or BIOL10009.
- Does CEDB20003 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 50% of the mark. Assessment: Tests 20%, Assignments 15%, Quizzes 15%, Final exam 50%.
- Is CEDB20003 hard?
- From 6 student reviews on StudentVIP: Very content heavy and broad, with lots of memorisation. Several reviewers found it hard to tell which details matter.
- What do students say about CEDB20003?
- Very content heavy and broad, with lots of memorisation. Several reviewers found it hard to tell which details matter. Since 2020 it uses self-paced online modules instead of lectures, so you need strong self-discipline. Opinions on this format are split. The exam expects you to apply concepts, not just recall them. Pace yourself, because early modules support the later dense ones.
- How many class hours a week does CEDB20003 have?
- 5 h a week in class
- Can I take CEDB20003 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 CEDB20003?
- 6 subjects need it first, for example BIOL30001, BIOL30002, BOTA30005, CEDB30002.
- Can I rate CEDB20003?
- 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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