GENE20001 Foundations of Genetics and Genomics
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 50%
- About 3 class hours a week
Is GENE20001 hard?
GENE20001: About average. Makes it harder: You must pass the exam on its own.
What you learn
What a genome is, how genes are expressed and passed on, and why individuals differ genetically.
After it you can
- Explain how genes affect an organism's traits
- Describe how genetic variation is passed on
- Analyse data from genetics experiments
What you need first
(BIOL10008 or BIOL10002) and (BIOL10010 or BIOL10011 or BIOM10002)
- BIOL10008 Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery
- BIOL10002 Biomolecules and Cells
- BIOL10010 Foundational Biology: Life's Complexity
- BIOL10011 Biology: Life's Complexity
- BIOM10002 Exploring Biomedicine
What it leads to
- BIOL30001 Reproductive Physiology
- BIOL30002 Experimental Animal Biology
- CEDB30002 Principles of Cell Biology
- CEDB30003 Experimental Developmental Biology
- CEDB30004 Advances in Stem Cell Biology
- GENE30001 Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics
- GENE30002 Genes: Organisation and Function
- GENE30004 Genetic Analysis
- GENE30005 Human and Medical Genetics
Careers
Helps toward: Biochemist, Microbiologist, Zoologist, Laboratory scientist, Veterinarian, Biotechnologist
How it’s assessed
Quizzes 30%, Assignments 20%, Final exam 50%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2017–2026)
- Problem-solving and application focused rather than rote recall; some concepts are hard to grasp.
- Earlier reviews complained of poor exam preparation and practice material that did not match exam difficulty.
- Recent years (2025-26) are more positive: workshop quizzes give steady marks and solutions are provided.
- Attend early workshops on reading DNA annotations, as they matter for the assignment and the exam.
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 GENE20001
Quick answers
- When is GENE20001 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking GENE20001?
- Needs (BIOL10008 or BIOL10002) and (BIOL10010 or BIOL10011 or BIOM10002).
- Does GENE20001 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 50% of the mark. You must pass the exam on its own. Assessment: Quizzes 30%, Assignments 20%, Final exam 50%.
- Is GENE20001 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Problem-solving and application focused rather than rote recall; some concepts are hard to grasp.
- What do students say about GENE20001?
- Problem-solving and application focused rather than rote recall; some concepts are hard to grasp. Earlier reviews complained of poor exam preparation and practice material that did not match exam difficulty. Recent years (2025-26) are more positive: workshop quizzes give steady marks and solutions are provided.
- How many class hours a week does GENE20001 have?
- 3 h a week in class
- Can I take GENE20001 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 GENE20001?
- 9 subjects need it first, for example BIOL30001, BIOL30002, CEDB30002, CEDB30003.
- Can I rate GENE20001?
- 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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