ZOOL20005 Animal Structure and Function
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 40%: mostly coursework
- About 2.5 class hours a week
Is ZOOL20005 hard?
ZOOL20005: Harder. Makes it easier: Only 2.5 class hours a week. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it takes a lot of time.
What you learn
How different animals solve the same jobs like moving, breathing, feeding and sensing, with lab work.
After it you can
- Identify animals to broad groups
- Handle and study specimens in the lab
- Compare how animals move, breathe, feed and sense
What you need first
(BIOL10002 or BIOL10008 or BIOL10009 or BIOL10004) and (BIOL10010 or BIOL10011 or BIOM10002 or BIOL10003 or BIOL10005)
- BIOL10002 Biomolecules and Cells
- BIOL10008 Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery
- 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
- BIOL30011 Applied Marine Biology
- ECOL30007 Marine Biodiversity and Biogeography
- VETS30033 Health & Disease in Wildlife Populations
- ZOOL30006 Animal Behaviour
- ZOOL30007 Experimental Animal Behaviour
- ZOOL30009 Field Ecology
How it’s assessed
Assignments 50%, Quizzes 10%, Final exam 40%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 6 students on StudentVIP (2014–2024)
- It is very content heavy, so stay on top of the material.
- The hands-on pracs are fun and help reinforce the theory.
- The most recent review (2024) praised strong assignment support, short lecture quizzes and an application-focused exam with a page of notes allowed.
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 ZOOL20005
Quick answers
- When is ZOOL20005 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking ZOOL20005?
- Needs (BIOL10002 or BIOL10008 or BIOL10009 or BIOL10004) and (BIOL10010 or BIOL10011 or BIOM10002 or BIOL10003 or BIOL10005).
- Does ZOOL20005 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 40% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 50%, Quizzes 10%, Final exam 40%.
- Is ZOOL20005 hard?
- From 6 student reviews on StudentVIP: It is very content heavy, so stay on top of the material.
- What do students say about ZOOL20005?
- It is very content heavy, so stay on top of the material. The hands-on pracs are fun and help reinforce the theory. The most recent review (2024) praised strong assignment support, short lecture quizzes and an application-focused exam with a page of notes allowed.
- How many class hours a week does ZOOL20005 have?
- 2.5 h a week in class
- Can I take ZOOL20005 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 ZOOL20005?
- 8 subjects need it first, for example BIOL30001, BIOL30002, BIOL30011, ECOL30007.
- Can I rate ZOOL20005?
- 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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