HPSC30023 Politics and Sociology of Science
University of Melbourne · Level 3 · 12.5 points · Not running in 2026.
- Final exam 60%: exam-heavy
Is HPSC30023 hard?
HPSC30023: Harder. Not running in 2026, so it isn't on the lists. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it’s hard (3 reviews), Final exam 60%.
What you learn
Science's place in society: experts, values, markets, public input, climate disputes and race, via sociology and philosophy of science.
After it you can
- Compare views of what scientific knowledge is
- Discuss the role of experts in policy
- Analyse current debates about science
What you need first
None
How it’s assessed
Reports and essays 40%, Final exam 60%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 3 students on StudentVIP (2018–2024)
- Reviewers from 2018 to 2024 found the content thought-provoking: it looks at science through a sociological lens and applies this to controversies like pandemics and climate change. It takes a few weeks to click.
- Tutorials were consistently praised as engaging, with good discussion.
- Both 2024 reviewers criticised the organisation: instructions for the big final assessment (around 60%) came out much later than promised, leaving little time, and emails often went unanswered.
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 HPSC30023
Quick answers
- When is HPSC30023 offered?
- Not running in 2026.
- What do I need before taking HPSC30023?
- No prerequisites.
- Does HPSC30023 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 60% of the mark. Assessment: Reports and essays 40%, Final exam 60%.
- Is HPSC30023 hard?
- From 3 student reviews on StudentVIP: Reviewers from 2018 to 2024 found the content thought-provoking: it looks at science through a sociological lens and applies this to controversies like pandemics and climate change. It takes a few weeks to click.
- What do students say about HPSC30023?
- Reviewers from 2018 to 2024 found the content thought-provoking: it looks at science through a sociological lens and applies this to controversies like pandemics and climate change. It takes a few weeks to click. Tutorials were consistently praised as engaging, with good discussion. Both 2024 reviewers criticised the organisation: instructions for the big final assessment (around 60%) came out much later than promised, leaving little time, and emails often went unanswered.
- Can I take HPSC30023 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 HPSC30023?
- 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.
PickMySubjects is a free, unofficial planner made by a UniMelb graduate.