ZOOL20006 Comparative Animal Physiology
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- Final exam 40%: mostly coursework
- About 2.5 class hours a week
Is ZOOL20006 hard?
ZOOL20006: Harder. Makes it easier: Only 2.5 class hours a week. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it’s hard (8 reviews).
What you learn
How animal bodies work and adapt to deserts and oceans, from hormones and hearts to temperature control.
After it you can
- Compare body systems across animal groups
- Use data to support a hypothesis
- Explain how environments shape physiological adaptations
What you need first
(BIOL10002 or BIOL10008 or BIOL10009 or BIOL10004) and (BIOL10010 or BIOL10011 or BIOM10002 or BIOL10005 or BIOL10003)
- 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
- ANSC30003 Applied Animal Behaviour
- ANSC30005 Animal Welfare and Ethics
- BIOL30001 Reproductive Physiology
- BIOL30002 Experimental Animal Biology
- CEDB30003 Experimental Developmental Biology
- CEDB30004 Advances in Stem Cell Biology
- PHYS30012 Physiology: Adapting to Challenges
- VETS30033 Health & Disease in Wildlife Populations
- ZOOL30006 Animal Behaviour
Careers
Helps toward: Biochemist, Microbiologist, Laboratory scientist, Zoologist, Veterinarian, Biotechnologist
How it’s assessed
Assignments 20%, Reports and essays 30%, Quizzes 10%, Final exam 40%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 8 students on StudentVIP (2014–2022)
- Assessments expect deeper understanding than lectures provide, and marks can swing widely. The exam is tough.
- It builds report-writing skills. Follow the rubric and get referencing right, as marks are lost for it.
- The coordinators are supportive and the pracs are a highlight in person, but reviewers say the online version was much weaker.
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 ZOOL20006
Quick answers
- When is ZOOL20006 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking ZOOL20006?
- Needs (BIOL10002 or BIOL10008 or BIOL10009 or BIOL10004) and (BIOL10010 or BIOL10011 or BIOM10002 or BIOL10005 or BIOL10003).
- Does ZOOL20006 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 40% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 20%, Reports and essays 30%, Quizzes 10%, Final exam 40%.
- Is ZOOL20006 hard?
- From 8 student reviews on StudentVIP: Assessments expect deeper understanding than lectures provide, and marks can swing widely. The exam is tough.
- What do students say about ZOOL20006?
- Assessments expect deeper understanding than lectures provide, and marks can swing widely. The exam is tough. It builds report-writing skills. Follow the rubric and get referencing right, as marks are lost for it. The coordinators are supportive and the pracs are a highlight in person, but reviewers say the online version was much weaker.
- How many class hours a week does ZOOL20006 have?
- 2.5 h a week in class
- Can I take ZOOL20006 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 ZOOL20006?
- 9 subjects need it first, for example ANSC30003, ANSC30005, BIOL30001, BIOL30002.
- Can I rate ZOOL20006?
- 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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