MAST20004 Probability
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- Final exam 80%: exam-heavy
Is MAST20004 hard?
MAST20004: Harder. #12 on the hardest list for Bachelor of Science. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it’s hard (10 reviews), Final exam 80%.
What you learn
The maths of chance: random variables, distributions, and models like Poisson processes and Markov chains.
After it you can
- Turn uncertain real situations into probability models
- Use conditional expectation and generating functions
- Interpret Poisson processes and Markov chains
What you need first
(MAST10006 or MAST10021 or MAST10009 or MAST10019) and (MAST10007 or MAST10008 or MAST10022 or MAST10018 or MAST10013)
- MAST10006 Calculus 2
- MAST10021 Calculus 2: Advanced
- MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2
- MAST10007 Linear Algebra
- MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1
- MAST10022 Linear Algebra: Advanced
What it leads to
- ACTL20003 Stochastic Techniques in Insurance
- ACTL20004 Topics in Actuarial Studies
- ACTL20005 Intermediate Financial Mathematics
- ACTL20006 Survival Models
- BUSA20001 Visualisation and Data Wrangling
- ECOM20001 Econometrics 1
- ECOM30003 Applied Microeconometric Modelling
- ECOM30004 Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
- ECON20003 Quantitative Methods 2
- ECON30002 Economic Development
- ECON30024 Economics of Financial Markets
- ECON30025 Computational Economics and Business
- EVSC30003 Environmental Risk Assessment
- FNCE30001 Investments
- FNCE30003 International Finance
- FNCE30006 Entrepreneurial Finance
- FNCE30007 Derivative Securities
- FNCE30010 Algorithmic Trading
- FNCE30011 Essentials of Corporate Valuation
- MAST20005 Statistics
- MAST30001 Stochastic Modelling
- MAST30020 Probability for Inference
- MAST30022 Decision Making
- MAST30032 Biological Modelling and Simulation
- MGMT20005 Business Decision Analysis
Can’t be taken together with
How it’s assessed
Assignments 20%, Final exam 80%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2020–2026)
- A clear step up from first-year maths: starts with a review of basic probability and gets hard quickly.
- Many reviewers still found it interesting and well organised; assignments are seen as doable.
- The exam is described as time-pressured; practise past papers so you can do the easier questions quickly.
- Experiences differ a lot between semesters and lecturers; MAST20006 (Probability for Statistics) is mentioned as an easier route for the statistics pathway.
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 MAST20004
Quick answers
- When is MAST20004 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking MAST20004?
- Needs (MAST10006 or MAST10021 or MAST10009 or MAST10019) and (MAST10007 or MAST10008 or MAST10022 or MAST10018 or MAST10013).
- Does MAST20004 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 80% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 20%, Final exam 80%.
- Is MAST20004 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: A clear step up from first-year maths: starts with a review of basic probability and gets hard quickly.
- What do students say about MAST20004?
- A clear step up from first-year maths: starts with a review of basic probability and gets hard quickly. Many reviewers still found it interesting and well organised; assignments are seen as doable. The exam is described as time-pressured; practise past papers so you can do the easier questions quickly.
- Can I take MAST20004 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 MAST20004?
- 25 subjects need it first, for example ACTL20003, ACTL20004, ACTL20005, ACTL20006.
- Can I rate MAST20004?
- 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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