CHEM10004 Chemistry 2
University of Melbourne · Level 1 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Summer, Semester 2.
- Final exam 65%: exam-heavy
Is CHEM10004 hard?
CHEM10004: Harder. #25 on the hardest list for Bachelor of Science. Makes it easier: First-year subject. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it’s hard (10 reviews), Final exam 65%, 1 other hurdle task.
What you learn
Follows Chemistry 1: reaction rates, organic reactions, redox, spectroscopy, metal compounds and solids.
After it you can
- Work out chemical structures from spectra
- Do basic lab experiments and write reports
- Explain reaction rates and redox chemistry
What you need first
CHEM10003
What it leads to
- AGRI20043 Biochemistry in Agricultural Systems
- BCMB20002 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- BCMB20005 Techniques in Molecular Science
- CHEM20011 Environmental Chemistry
- CHEM20018 Chemistry: Reactions and Synthesis
- CHEM20020 Chemistry: Structure and Properties
- CHEM20026 Principles of Chemical Biology
- CHEN30001 Reactors and Catalysis
- 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 (2021–2025)
- Generally seen as harder than Chemistry 1, mainly because of the organic chemistry section.
- Tutorials are repeatedly described as very helpful, and the subject is called well run.
- Several advise against the summer term: it felt harder and the real exam was tougher than the practice papers.
- Pracs and reports are a good source of marks, so don't neglect them.
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 CHEM10004
Quick answers
- When is CHEM10004 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Summer, Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking CHEM10004?
- Needs CHEM10003.
- Does CHEM10004 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 65% of the mark. Assessment: Tests 15%, Assignments 20%, Final exam 65%.
- Is CHEM10004 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Generally seen as harder than Chemistry 1, mainly because of the organic chemistry section.
- What do students say about CHEM10004?
- Generally seen as harder than Chemistry 1, mainly because of the organic chemistry section. Tutorials are repeatedly described as very helpful, and the subject is called well run. Several advise against the summer term: it felt harder and the real exam was tougher than the practice papers.
- Can I take CHEM10004 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 CHEM10004?
- 10 subjects need it first, for example AGRI20043, BCMB20002, BCMB20005, CHEM20011.
- Can I rate CHEM10004?
- 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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