CHEM20011 Environmental Chemistry
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 40%: mostly coursework
- About 4 class hours a week
- 20% group work
Is CHEM20011 hard?
CHEM20011: Easier. Makes it easier: Reviewers say it’s manageable (5 reviews), Reviewers say the workload is light. Makes it harder: You must pass the exam on its own, 1 other hurdle task.
What you learn
The chemistry of water, air and soil, how pollution affects them, and how to measure it in the lab.
After it you can
- Use lab instruments to analyse environmental samples
- Interpret environmental data and trends
- Explain chemical causes of environmental problems
What you need first
CHEM10004 or CHEM10006 or CHEM10009
What it leads to
Can’t be taken together with
- CHEM90007
How it’s assessed
Reports and essays 40%, Assignments 20%, Final exam 40%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 5 students on StudentVIP (2020–2025)
- Often called a WAM booster: only about six weeks of lectures and relatively easy content, though some found it rehashes first-year chemistry.
- Pracs with weekly short reports make up a large share of the grade and are achievable. Ask early how much calculation detail to include.
- The exam closely follows the tutorial questions, but expect some rote recall of details such as nutrient cycles.
- There is a group project plus an individual report. The experience depends on your group.
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 CHEM20011
Quick answers
- When is CHEM20011 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking CHEM20011?
- Needs CHEM10004 or CHEM10006 or CHEM10009.
- Does CHEM20011 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 40% of the mark. You must pass the exam on its own. Assessment: Reports and essays 40%, Assignments 20%, Final exam 40%.
- Is CHEM20011 hard?
- From 5 student reviews on StudentVIP: Often called a WAM booster: only about six weeks of lectures and relatively easy content, though some found it rehashes first-year chemistry.
- What do students say about CHEM20011?
- Often called a WAM booster: only about six weeks of lectures and relatively easy content, though some found it rehashes first-year chemistry. Pracs with weekly short reports make up a large share of the grade and are achievable. Ask early how much calculation detail to include. The exam closely follows the tutorial questions, but expect some rote recall of details such as nutrient cycles.
- How many class hours a week does CHEM20011 have?
- 4 h a week in class
- Can I take CHEM20011 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 CHEM20011?
- 2 subjects need it first, for example CHEM30012, GEOL30004.
- Can I rate CHEM20011?
- 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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