CHEM10003 Chemistry 1
University of Melbourne · Level 1 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- Final exam 65%: exam-heavy
Is CHEM10003 hard?
CHEM10003: About average. Makes it easier: First-year subject. Makes it harder: Final exam 65%, 1 other hurdle task. The easier and harder points roughly balance out.
What you learn
First-year general chemistry: atoms, bonding, gases, energy, equilibrium, acids and bases, and carbon compounds.
After it you can
- Do basic lab experiments and write reports
- Handle and dispose of chemicals safely
- Name carbon compounds and spot functional groups
What you need first
CHEM10007 or VCE Chemistry (or equivalent)
- CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry
- MAST10014 Foundation Mathematics 1
- MAST10015 Foundation Mathematics 2
- MAST10012 Introduction to Mathematics
What it leads to
- AGRI20038 Principles of Soil Science
- BCMB20002 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- BCMB20005 Techniques in Molecular Science
- BMEN30009 Introduction to Biomaterials
- CHEM10004 Chemistry 2
- CHEN20010 Material and Energy Balances
- CHEN20012 Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering
- FOOD30008 Advanced Food Analysis
- GEOL30004 Geochemistry
- PHRM20001 Pharmacology: How Drugs Work
Can’t be taken together with
- CHEM10009
How it’s assessed
Tests 15%, Assignments 20%, Final exam 65%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2024–2026)
- Most found it well organised, with plenty of practice questions, active online Q&A and supportive staff.
- The final exam is worth about 65%. Pracs, worksheets and weekly quizzes are easier marks, so secure them.
- Keep up with lectures and do the tutorial problems weekly. Several who fell behind or underestimated it did poorly.
- Difficulty is split: many say an H1 is reachable with effort, but some found the maths heavy or the final much harder than the practice exams.
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 CHEM10003
Quick answers
- When is CHEM10003 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking CHEM10003?
- Needs CHEM10007 or VCE Chemistry (or equivalent).
- Does CHEM10003 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 65% of the mark. Assessment: Tests 15%, Assignments 20%, Final exam 65%.
- Is CHEM10003 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Most found it well organised, with plenty of practice questions, active online Q&A and supportive staff.
- What do students say about CHEM10003?
- Most found it well organised, with plenty of practice questions, active online Q&A and supportive staff. The final exam is worth about 65%. Pracs, worksheets and weekly quizzes are easier marks, so secure them. Keep up with lectures and do the tutorial problems weekly. Several who fell behind or underestimated it did poorly.
- Can I take CHEM10003 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 CHEM10003?
- 10 subjects need it first, for example AGRI20038, BCMB20002, BCMB20005, BMEN30009.
- Can I rate CHEM10003?
- 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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