Biology 1A: Molecules, Genes and Cells

Undergraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
BIOL 1003
Course ID icon
Course ID
200353
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
1
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course explores unifying themes of life at the level of molecules and cells. Students use the language of biology to describe and explain biological processes across the molecular and cell biology dimensions of biology, including: macromolecules and the chemistry of life, cell structure and function including membranes and organelles, storage and utilisation of energy by cells, genetic information transfer and patterns of inheritance. This course forms part of the core for students in many different programs and majors. Biology spans an incredibly wide range of themes; the knowledge developed in this course is generally complemented by another Year 1 biology course.

  • Biology Foundations
  • Cell Biology
  • Metabolism
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Course learning outcomes

  • Describe the different categories of macromolecules, with an emphasis on their structure and function within the cell
  • Identify and describe the structures of cells to explain cellular and sub-cellular functions, including: differences between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells; organelles and their evolutionary origins; roles and functions of cell membranes and cell walls
  • Outline, compare and contrast the metabolic pathways in plant and animal cells by aerobic and anaerobic respiration for the production and transformation of energy
  • Apply understanding of DNA replication and the steps in gene expression to describe mutations and predict effect on gene function
  • Discuss cellular division, and interpret and predict the inheritance of traits
  • Execution of experiments to generate results, analyse and interpret experimental data, and present the results in an appropriate scientific format

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A