PHYC10008 From the Solar System to the Cosmos
University of Melbourne · Level 1 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- Final exam 50%
- About 5.5 class hours a week
Is PHYC10008 hard?
PHYC10008: About average. Makes it easier: First-year subject. Makes it harder: 5.5 class hours a week. The easier and harder points roughly balance out.
What you learn
The universe from our solar system to galaxies and cosmology, with basic maths taught as needed.
After it you can
- Explain how stars, galaxies and planets form
- Discuss open questions like dark matter
- Use the scientific method on space questions
What you need first
None
Careers
Helps toward: Meteorologist
How it’s assessed
Assignments 40%, Tests 10%, Final exam 50%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2018–2025)
- Widely praised as a fascinating breadth subject that needs no physics or maths background.
- The pracs are computer-based tasks rather than hands-on work. Some found them dull, and marking depended on the demonstrator.
- The mid-semester test and exam are open book but include application questions that some found surprisingly hard. The test has been scaled.
- Physics and maths students may find it too light; one reviewer suggested the third-year astrophysics subject instead.
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 PHYC10008
Quick answers
- When is PHYC10008 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking PHYC10008?
- No prerequisites.
- Does PHYC10008 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 50% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 40%, Tests 10%, Final exam 50%.
- Is PHYC10008 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Widely praised as a fascinating breadth subject that needs no physics or maths background.
- What do students say about PHYC10008?
- Widely praised as a fascinating breadth subject that needs no physics or maths background. The pracs are computer-based tasks rather than hands-on work. Some found them dull, and marking depended on the demonstrator. The mid-semester test and exam are open book but include application questions that some found surprisingly hard. The test has been scaled.
- How many class hours a week does PHYC10008 have?
- 5.5 h a week in class
- Can I take PHYC10008 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.
- Can I rate PHYC10008?
- 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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