MAST20030 Differential Equations
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- Final exam 65%: exam-heavy
- About 4 class hours a week
Is MAST20030 hard?
MAST20030: Harder. #10 on the hardest list for Bachelor of Science. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it’s hard (10 reviews), Reviewers say it takes a lot of time, Final exam 65%.
What you learn
Solving linear differential equations, the models used across science and engineering.
After it you can
- Solve differential equations with series methods
- Use Laplace and Fourier transforms to find solutions
- Solve partial differential equations from applications
What you need first
(MAST20009 or MAST20032) and (MAST10007 or MAST10008 or MAST10022 or MAST10013 or MAST10018) and (MAST10006 or MAST10009 or MAST10021 or MAST10019)
- MAST20009 Vector Calculus
- MAST20032 Vector Calculus: Advanced
- MAST10007 Linear Algebra
- MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1
- MAST10022 Linear Algebra: Advanced
- MAST10006 Calculus 2
- MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2
- MAST10021 Calculus 2: Advanced
What it leads to
- BMEN30006 Circuits and Systems
- CHEN30016 Momentum, Mass and Heat Transfer
- ELEN30012 Signals and Systems
- ENGR30004 Numerical Algorithms in Engineering
- MAST30030 Applied Mathematical Modelling
- MAST30031 Methods of Mathematical Physics
- MAST30032 Biological Modelling and Simulation
- MCEN30018 Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
- MCEN30020 Systems Modelling and Analysis
- PHYC30011 Sub-atomic Physics
- PHYC30016 Electrodynamics
- PHYC30017 Statistical Physics
- PHYC30018 Quantum Physics
- PHYC30019 Astrophysics
- PHYC30021 Laboratory and Computational Physics 3
- PHYC30023 Light, Lasers, Optics
- PHYC30024 Condensed Matter Physics 3
Can’t be taken together with
- MAST30029
- MAST30023
How it’s assessed
Assignments 20%, Tests 15%, Final exam 65%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2015–2021)
- Consistently described as hard and demanding, but rewarding.
- Lectures need full concentration; small lapses leave you lost.
- Questions are long and tedious with heavy integration; exams can be harder than past papers.
- Relies on Calculus 2, linear algebra and vector calculus, so revise them first.
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 MAST20030
Quick answers
- When is MAST20030 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking MAST20030?
- Needs (MAST20009 or MAST20032) and (MAST10007 or MAST10008 or MAST10022 or MAST10013 or MAST10018) and (MAST10006 or MAST10009 or MAST10021 or MAST10019).
- Does MAST20030 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 65% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 20%, Tests 15%, Final exam 65%.
- Is MAST20030 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Consistently described as hard and demanding, but rewarding.
- What do students say about MAST20030?
- Consistently described as hard and demanding, but rewarding. Lectures need full concentration; small lapses leave you lost. Questions are long and tedious with heavy integration; exams can be harder than past papers.
- How many class hours a week does MAST20030 have?
- 4 h a week in class
- Can I take MAST20030 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 MAST20030?
- 17 subjects need it first, for example BMEN30006, CHEN30016, ELEN30012, ENGR30004.
- Can I rate MAST20030?
- 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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