OPTO20004 Perception, Illusions and Art
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 70%: exam-heavy
- About 3 class hours a week
Is OPTO20004 hard?
OPTO20004: About average. Makes it harder: Final exam 70%.
What you learn
The science of how we see colour, motion, size and faces, using illusions and examples from art.
After it you can
- Explain why visual illusions happen
- Explain the science behind how we see
- Describe how artists use perception for effect
What you need first
None
What it leads to
How it’s assessed
Tests 15%, Reports and essays 15%, Final exam 70%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 5 students on StudentVIP (2018–2023)
- Most found the assessments straightforward.
- Opinions on difficulty are split: some found the content easy, others said there was a lot of it and it was delivered dryly.
- It leans more towards art than science, so check that it suits you.
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 OPTO20004
Quick answers
- When is OPTO20004 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking OPTO20004?
- No prerequisites.
- Does OPTO20004 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 70% of the mark. Assessment: Tests 15%, Reports and essays 15%, Final exam 70%.
- Is OPTO20004 hard?
- From 5 student reviews on StudentVIP: Most found the assessments straightforward.
- What do students say about OPTO20004?
- Most found the assessments straightforward. Opinions on difficulty are split: some found the content easy, others said there was a lot of it and it was delivered dryly. It leans more towards art than science, so check that it suits you.
- How many class hours a week does OPTO20004 have?
- 3 h a week in class
- Can I take OPTO20004 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Commerce, 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 OPTO20004?
- 1 subjects need it first, for example OPTO20005.
- Can I rate OPTO20004?
- 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.