Biology 1A: Molecules, Genes and Cells

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
BIOL 1003
Course ID icon
Course ID
200353
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Biological Sciences
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Michelle Coulson
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
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

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

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 22550
Section
Section PR01
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Mar - 6 Mar Friday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
20 Mar - 20 Mar Friday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
17 Apr - 17 Apr Friday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
15 May - 15 May Friday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 22549
Section
Section PR02
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Mar - 3 Mar Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
17 Mar - 17 Mar Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
14 Apr - 14 Apr Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
12 May - 12 May Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 22547
Section
Section PR04
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Mar - 4 Mar Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
18 Mar - 18 Mar Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
15 Apr - 15 Apr Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
13 May - 13 May Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 22546
Section
Section PR05
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Mar - 4 Mar Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
18 Mar - 18 Mar Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
15 Apr - 15 Apr Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
13 May - 13 May Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 29025
Section
Section PR06
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Mar - 5 Mar Thursday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
19 Mar - 19 Mar Thursday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
16 Apr - 16 Apr Thursday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
14 May - 14 May Thursday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 22545
Section
Section PR07
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Mar - 5 Mar Thursday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
19 Mar - 19 Mar Thursday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
16 Apr - 16 Apr Thursday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
14 May - 14 May Thursday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 22544
Section
Section PR08
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
2 Mar - 2 Mar Monday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 3.50
16 Mar - 16 Mar Monday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 3.50
13 Apr - 13 Apr Monday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 3.50
11 May - 11 May Monday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 3.50
Class number
Class number 28443
Section
Section PR09
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Mar - 3 Mar Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 3.50
17 Mar - 17 Mar Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 3.50
14 Apr - 14 Apr Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 3.50
12 May - 12 May Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 3.50
Class number
Class number 22559
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 17 Mar Tuesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 307
31 Mar - 14 Apr Tuesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 307
5 May - 12 May Tuesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 307
26 May - 26 May Tuesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 307
Class number
Class number 22557
Section
Section WS03
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 17 Mar Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
31 Mar - 14 Apr Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
5 May - 12 May Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
26 May - 26 May Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
Class number
Class number 22555
Section
Section WS05
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 20 Mar Friday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
10 Apr - 17 Apr Friday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
8 May - 15 May Friday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
29 May - 29 May Friday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
Class number
Class number 22553
Section
Section WS07
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 18 Mar Wednesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1063
1 Apr - 15 Apr Wednesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1063
6 May - 13 May Wednesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1063
27 May - 27 May Wednesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1063
Class number
Class number 27280
Section
Section WS10
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 20 Mar Friday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, SG20
10 Apr - 17 Apr Friday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, SG20
8 May - 15 May Friday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, SG20
29 May - 29 May Friday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, SG20
Class number
Class number 27279
Section
Section WS11
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 19 Mar Thursday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2040
2 Apr - 16 Apr Thursday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2040
7 May - 14 May Thursday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2040
28 May - 28 May Thursday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2040
Class number
Class number 27278
Section
Section WS12
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 17 Mar Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2032
31 Mar - 14 Apr Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2032
5 May - 12 May Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2032
26 May - 26 May Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2032
Class number
Class number 27277
Section
Section WS13
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 19 Mar Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2040
2 Apr - 16 Apr Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2040
7 May - 14 May Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2040
28 May - 28 May Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2040

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 52747
Section
Section PR01
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
11 Aug - 11 Aug Tuesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
25 Aug - 25 Aug Tuesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
22 Sep - 22 Sep Tuesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
20 Oct - 20 Oct Tuesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 52746
Section
Section PR02
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
11 Aug - 11 Aug Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
25 Aug - 25 Aug Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
22 Sep - 22 Sep Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
20 Oct - 20 Oct Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 53436
Section
Section PR04
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
12 Aug - 12 Aug Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
26 Aug - 26 Aug Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
23 Sep - 23 Sep Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
21 Oct - 21 Oct Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 53435
Section
Section PR05
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
12 Aug - 12 Aug Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
26 Aug - 26 Aug Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
23 Sep - 23 Sep Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
21 Oct - 21 Oct Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 53434
Section
Section PR06
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
13 Aug - 13 Aug Thursday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
27 Aug - 27 Aug Thursday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
24 Sep - 24 Sep Thursday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
22 Oct - 22 Oct Thursday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 53433
Section
Section PR07
Size
Size 80
Available
Available 80
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
14 Aug - 14 Aug Friday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
28 Aug - 28 Aug Friday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
25 Sep - 25 Sep Friday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
23 Oct - 23 Oct Friday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, 4.40
Class number
Class number 52749
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 24 Aug Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
7 Sep - 21 Sep Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
12 Oct - 19 Oct Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
2 Nov - 2 Nov Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
Class number
Class number 52748
Section
Section WS03
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 26 Aug Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
9 Sep - 23 Sep Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
14 Oct - 21 Oct Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
4 Nov - 4 Nov Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 1062
Class number
Class number 53439
Section
Section WS06
Size
Size 60
Available
Available 60
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 27 Aug Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ3-30
10 Sep - 24 Sep Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ3-30
15 Oct - 22 Oct Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ3-30
5 Nov - 5 Nov Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ3-30
Class number
Class number 53437
Section
Section WS08
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 26 Aug Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 205
9 Sep - 23 Sep Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 205
14 Oct - 21 Oct Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 205
4 Nov - 4 Nov Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 205
Class number
Class number 53442
Section
Section WS10
Size
Size 60
Available
Available 60
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 24 Aug Monday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 218
7 Sep - 21 Sep Monday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 218
12 Oct - 19 Oct Monday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 218
2 Nov - 2 Nov Monday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 218
Class number
Class number 53447
Section
Section WS11
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 25 Aug Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2060
8 Sep - 22 Sep Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2060
13 Oct - 20 Oct Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2060
3 Nov - 3 Nov Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2060

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.