This major covers the study of life processes at the molecular and cellular levels, including the storage, transfer and regulation of genetic information, the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and interactions between molecules and cells. The emphasis is on basic principles that underpin the processes unique to living organisms at the molecular and cellular levels. The concepts and techniques of molecular and cell biology form the foundation for studies of all aspects of modern biology and will be applied to different areas such as biomedical science, plant science, developmental biology and microbiology. This major provides a solid grounding for further study in any area of the molecular life sciences as well as medicine, bioengineering and biotechnology.
Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of how biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology are used to elucidate the functions of molecules and cells.
Integrate and extend their conceptual knowledge of the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as whole entities and in terms of their subcellular and molecular processes.
Explain how biology is an evidence-based discipline involving observation, experimentation and hypothesis testing and how it relates to other scientific disciplines.
Develop and implement experimental strategies to investigate different biological and experimental systems and analyse and present results of these investigations.
Critically assess biological information and apply it to theoretical, experimental and professional contexts.
Employ their collaborative and independent educational experiences of laboratory, project and coursework in other contexts.
Clearly communicate biological processes and principles to both science literate and non-science literate audiences.
Recognise how biology contributes to resolving ethical, social, medical and environmental issues and the expectations this places on their professional practice.
Other Information
To complete this major students must also complete the following courses:
These courses can form part of a Foundational Science minor, another science minor/major or sequence of science electives. If a student is in a Flexible Double Degree, the courses can only contribute towards one degree.
Advice for first year students:
Students should complete BIOL1003, BIOL1004, CHEM1101 and CHEM1201 in first year.
Additional advice:
- BIOL2202 is the recommended course from the Quantitative Skills list as it has been designed specifically for students to develop quantitative skills in biology. Note that some of the alternative courses listed have prerequisites, and it is your responsibility to choose courses for which you meet the requirements.
- Students should note that this major only requires 2 x 3000 level coded courses. In order to complete the overall Science degree requirements of 5 x 3000 level course from the Science course list, students will need to complete another 3 x 3000 level Science courses.
- For students taking BIOL3208 or BIOL3209 as part of this major, the research project must be in the field of cell & molecular biology.
Requirements
This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
24 units from the completion of the following courses:
BIOL1003 - Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics (6 units)
BIOL1004 - Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology (6 units)
BIOL2161 - Genes: Replication and Expression (6 units)
BIOL2162 - Molecular Gene Technology (6 units)
6 units from the completion of a Quantitative Skills course from the following list:
PSYC2009 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)
ENVS1003 - Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)
BIAN3014 - Research Design and Analysis in Biological Anthropology (6 units)
BIOL2202 - Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)
BIOL2001 - Introduction to Quantitative Biology (6 units)
6 units from the completion of a course from the following list:
BIOL2142 - General Microbiology (6 units)
BIOL2151 - Genetics (6 units)
BIOL2171 - Biochemistry and Nutrition (6 units)
BIOL2174 - Cell Physiology in Health and Disease (6 units)
BIOL2117 - Cell Biology (6 units)
6 units from the completion of a course from the following list:
NEUR3101 - Cellular Neuroscience (6 units)
BIOL3141 - Infection and Immunity (6 units)
BIOL3142 - Biomedical Parasitology (6 units)
BIOL3144 - Advanced and Applied Immunology (6 units)
BIOL3161 - Genomics and its Applications (6 units)
BIOL3177 - Advances in Molecular Plant Science (6 units)
BIOL3107 - Advances in Medical and Plant Biochemistry (6 units)
BIOL3208 - Biology Research Project (6 units)
BIOL3209 - Biology Research Project (12 units)
BIOL3210 - Appreciating Parasites: from Molecular to Ecosystems (6 units)
BIOL3204 - Genetics of Human Disease 1 (6 units)
BIOL3203 - Advanced Microscopy in Biosciences (6 units)
BIOL3108 - Hallmarks of Cancer (6 units)
BIOL3109 - Ecological and Evolutionary Developmental Biology (6 units)
BIOL3205 - Genetics of Human Disease 2 (6 units)
6 units from the completion of a course from the following list:
BIOL3191 - Biology, Society and Ethics (6 units)
BIOL3201 - Big Questions in Biology (6 units)
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