PHYC10003 Physics 1
University of Melbourne · Level 1 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- Final exam 60%: exam-heavy
Is PHYC10003 hard?
PHYC10003: Harder. #16 on the hardest list for Bachelor of Science. Makes it easier: First-year subject. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it’s hard (10 reviews), Reviewers say it takes a lot of time, Final exam 60%, 1 other hurdle task.
What you learn
First-year physics: motion, waves and sound, optics, gravity and special relativity, using calculus.
After it you can
- Solve physics problems using maths
- Predict what happens in a physical situation
- Take measurements in the lab and interpret them
What you need first
PHYC10009 or VCE Physics (or equivalent)
- PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics
- MAST10014 Foundation Mathematics 1
- MAST10015 Foundation Mathematics 2
What it leads to
- ENGR20004 Engineering Mechanics
- PHYC10004 Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology
- PHYC10006 Physics 2: Life Sciences & Environment
- PHYC20012 Quantum and Thermal Physics
- PHYC20013 Laboratory and Computational Physics 2
- PHYC20014 Theoretical Physics 2
- PHYC20015 Special Relativity and Electromagnetism
Can’t be taken together with
Careers
Helps toward: Meteorologist
How it’s assessed
Assignments 40%, Final exam 60%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2014–2022)
- Older reviews call it a light extension of Year 12 physics and an easy mark. The 2022 reviews disagree: they found it hard, with a heavy workload.
- Labs ask you to finish experiments and a full write-up in about 2.5 hours. Many found them rushed or dull, but they are marked fairly and help your grade.
- Recent reviewers felt the lectures added little beyond the textbook. They relied on the textbook, past exams and online videos instead.
- Exam views are split: some found it fair, others found it much harder than the past papers. Don't take it as an easy filler subject.
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 PHYC10003
Quick answers
- When is PHYC10003 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking PHYC10003?
- Needs PHYC10009 or VCE Physics (or equivalent).
- Does PHYC10003 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 60% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 40%, Final exam 60%.
- Is PHYC10003 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Older reviews call it a light extension of Year 12 physics and an easy mark. The 2022 reviews disagree: they found it hard, with a heavy workload.
- What do students say about PHYC10003?
- Older reviews call it a light extension of Year 12 physics and an easy mark. The 2022 reviews disagree: they found it hard, with a heavy workload. Labs ask you to finish experiments and a full write-up in about 2.5 hours. Many found them rushed or dull, but they are marked fairly and help your grade. Recent reviewers felt the lectures added little beyond the textbook. They relied on the textbook, past exams and online videos instead.
- Can I take PHYC10003 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 PHYC10003?
- 7 subjects need it first, for example ENGR20004, PHYC10004, PHYC10006, PHYC20012.
- Can I rate PHYC10003?
- 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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