MIIM20001 Principles of Microbiology & Immunology
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 50%
- About 4 class hours a week
- 10% group work
Is MIIM20001 hard?
MIIM20001: Harder. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it takes a lot of time.
What you learn
The basics of microbes, mainly bacteria and viruses, and how the immune system fights them.
After it you can
- Use the key terms of microbiology and immunology
- Describe how bacteria and viruses live and multiply
- Explain how microbes cause disease and how we respond
What you need first
BIOL10010 or BIOL10011
Take in the same semester or earlier
BIOL10008 or BIOL10009
What it leads to
- ANSC30006 Production Animal Health
- BMEN30011 Introduction to MedTech Innovation
- MIIM20002 Microbes, Infections and Responses
- MIIM30002 Principles of Immunology
- MIIM30011 Medical Microbiology: Bacteriology
- MIIM30014 Medical Microbiology: Virology
- MIIM30015 Techniques in Immunology
- MIIM30016 Techniques in Microbiology
- MIIM30017 Medical Microbiology: Parasitology
Careers
Helps toward: Biochemist, Microbiologist, Zoologist, Laboratory scientist, Veterinarian, Biotechnologist
How it’s assessed
Quizzes 10%, Tests 30%, Projects 10%, Final exam 50%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2020–2026)
- Most found it well organised and interesting, with supportive staff. It is about three-quarters microbiology and one-quarter immunology.
- The MSTs are mostly multiple choice and seen as fair. Attend the MST review sessions to prepare for the exam.
- Content heavy, with lots of memorisation of key examples. Keep up, because it is hard to cram.
- The 2020 final exam was criticised for too little time. The group assignment can be disorganised, so set a leader early.
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 MIIM20001
Quick answers
- When is MIIM20001 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking MIIM20001?
- Needs BIOL10010 or BIOL10011. Must be taken before or alongside it: BIOL10008 or BIOL10009.
- Does MIIM20001 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 50% of the mark. Assessment: Quizzes 10%, Tests 30%, Projects 10%, Final exam 50%.
- Is MIIM20001 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Most found it well organised and interesting, with supportive staff. It is about three-quarters microbiology and one-quarter immunology.
- What do students say about MIIM20001?
- Most found it well organised and interesting, with supportive staff. It is about three-quarters microbiology and one-quarter immunology. The MSTs are mostly multiple choice and seen as fair. Attend the MST review sessions to prepare for the exam. Content heavy, with lots of memorisation of key examples. Keep up, because it is hard to cram.
- How many class hours a week does MIIM20001 have?
- 4 h a week in class
- Can I take MIIM20001 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 MIIM20001?
- 9 subjects need it first, for example ANSC30006, BMEN30011, MIIM20002, MIIM30002.
- Can I rate MIIM20001?
- 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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