CHEM20018 Chemistry: Reactions and Synthesis
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 80%: exam-heavy
- About 4 class hours a week
Is CHEM20018 hard?
CHEM20018: Harder. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it takes a lot of time, Final exam 80%.
What you learn
How organic and inorganic molecules are made, the energy changes in reactions, and what gives materials their properties.
After it you can
- Plan simple routes to make organic compounds
- Apply thermodynamics to mixtures and phase changes
- Explain reactions of main group and transition metals
What you need first
CHEM10004 or CHEM10006
What it leads to
- CHEM30016 Reactivity and Mechanism
- CHEM30017 Specialised Topics in Chemistry A
- EVSC30009 Energy Pathways to Net-Zero
- GEOL30004 Geochemistry
How it’s assessed
Tests 20%, Final exam 80%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2016–2025)
- A clear step up from first-year chemistry, very content heavy, with modules that feel disconnected from each other.
- Assessment is exam heavy (about 80% final, plus a few online quizzes), so small mistakes cost a lot.
- Physical chemistry needs some physics and calculus. Attend tutorials, because exams can test theory you may not expect.
- Practise past exams a lot; several say the exam is doable with practice. Note that exam solutions are not released.
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 CHEM20018
Quick answers
- When is CHEM20018 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking CHEM20018?
- Needs CHEM10004 or CHEM10006.
- Does CHEM20018 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 80% of the mark. Assessment: Tests 20%, Final exam 80%.
- Is CHEM20018 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: A clear step up from first-year chemistry, very content heavy, with modules that feel disconnected from each other.
- What do students say about CHEM20018?
- A clear step up from first-year chemistry, very content heavy, with modules that feel disconnected from each other. Assessment is exam heavy (about 80% final, plus a few online quizzes), so small mistakes cost a lot. Physical chemistry needs some physics and calculus. Attend tutorials, because exams can test theory you may not expect.
- How many class hours a week does CHEM20018 have?
- 4 h a week in class
- Can I take CHEM20018 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 CHEM20018?
- 4 subjects need it first, for example CHEM30016, CHEM30017, EVSC30009, GEOL30004.
- Can I rate CHEM20018?
- 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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