HPSC10001 Plato to Einstein: A History of Science
University of Melbourne · Level 1 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- No final exam: all coursework
- About 3 class hours a week
Is HPSC10001 hard?
HPSC10001: Easier. Makes it easier: No final exam, First-year subject. No student reviews yet — based on the Handbook only.
What you learn
How ideas about the physical world changed from ancient Greek philosophy to Einstein's theory of gravity.
After it you can
- Outline the main stages in the history of science
- Explain the shift to a mathematical view of nature
- Discuss how science relates to its culture
What you need first
None
How it’s assessed
Tests 20%, Reports and essays 50%, Assignments 30%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 8 students on StudentVIP (2015–2021)
- Reviewers (2015-2021) loved the passionate lectures on how science and philosophy developed, and no background is needed.
- Readings of old texts are long and tutorials were mixed. The small assignments are fairly easy, but the heavily weighted final research essay is hard.
- Science students taking it as a breadth enjoyed it, but one noted it is not a WAM booster.
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 HPSC10001
Quick answers
- When is HPSC10001 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking HPSC10001?
- No prerequisites.
- Does HPSC10001 have a final exam?
- No, there is no final exam. Assessment: Tests 20%, Reports and essays 50%, Assignments 30%.
- Is HPSC10001 hard?
- From 8 student reviews on StudentVIP: Reviewers (2015-2021) loved the passionate lectures on how science and philosophy developed, and no background is needed.
- What do students say about HPSC10001?
- Reviewers (2015-2021) loved the passionate lectures on how science and philosophy developed, and no background is needed. Readings of old texts are long and tutorials were mixed. The small assignments are fairly easy, but the heavily weighted final research essay is hard. Science students taking it as a breadth enjoyed it, but one noted it is not a WAM booster.
- How many class hours a week does HPSC10001 have?
- 3 h a week in class
- Can I take HPSC10001 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Biomedicine, 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, Bachelor of Science.
- Can I rate HPSC10001?
- 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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