PHYC10004 Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology
University of Melbourne · Level 1 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Summer, Semester 2.
- Final exam 60%: exam-heavy
Is PHYC10004 hard?
PHYC10004: Harder. Makes it easier: First-year subject. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it’s hard (6 reviews), Final exam 60%, 1 other hurdle task.
What you learn
Fluids, electricity and magnetism, quantum and nuclear physics, aimed at science, tech and engineering.
After it you can
- Apply physics to tech and engineering problems
- Predict what happens in a physical situation
- Take measurements in the lab and interpret them
What you need first
(PHYC10001 or PHYC10003) or PHYC10005 or PHYC10009
- PHYC10001 Physics 1: Advanced
- PHYC10003 Physics 1
- PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics
- MAST10014 Foundation Mathematics 1
- MAST10015 Foundation Mathematics 2
What it leads to
- ELEN20006 Digital Systems
- ELEN30011 Electrical Device Modelling
- 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
- PHYC10002 Physics 2: Advanced
- PHYC10006 Physics 2: Life Sciences & Environment
- PHYC10007 Physics for Biomedicine
Careers
Helps toward: Meteorologist
How it’s assessed
Assignments 40%, Final exam 60%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 6 students on StudentVIP (2013–2024)
- Reviewers found it more interesting than Physics 1, but harder and with more maths, such as integrals in electromagnetism.
- Read the textbook or lecture notes before each lecture. Several said the lectures are hard to follow otherwise.
- The exam can be hard and tests real understanding, including the lecture demonstrations. Keep up every week and do past exams.
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 PHYC10004
Quick answers
- When is PHYC10004 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Summer, Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking PHYC10004?
- Needs (PHYC10001 or PHYC10003) or PHYC10005 or PHYC10009.
- Does PHYC10004 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 60% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 40%, Final exam 60%.
- Is PHYC10004 hard?
- From 6 student reviews on StudentVIP: Reviewers found it more interesting than Physics 1, but harder and with more maths, such as integrals in electromagnetism.
- What do students say about PHYC10004?
- Reviewers found it more interesting than Physics 1, but harder and with more maths, such as integrals in electromagnetism. Read the textbook or lecture notes before each lecture. Several said the lectures are hard to follow otherwise. The exam can be hard and tests real understanding, including the lecture demonstrations. Keep up every week and do past exams.
- Can I take PHYC10004 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 PHYC10004?
- 6 subjects need it first, for example ELEN20006, ELEN30011, PHYC20012, PHYC20013.
- Can I rate PHYC10004?
- 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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