PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics
University of Melbourne · Level 1 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 60%: exam-heavy
- About 5 class hours a week
Is PHYC10009 hard?
PHYC10009: Harder. #5 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
Physics for students with little background: motion, waves, electricity, magnetism and key modern experiments.
After it you can
- Explain basic physics ideas in everyday terms
- Solve simple physics problems with maths
- Take measurements in the lab and interpret them
What you need first
None
What it leads to
- ENGR20004 Engineering Mechanics
- PHYC10001 Physics 1: Advanced
- PHYC10002 Physics 2: Advanced
- PHYC10003 Physics 1
- 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
Careers
Helps toward: Meteorologist
How it’s assessed
Assignments 40%, Final exam 60%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2021–2026)
- Most reviewers say it is hard and not a WAM booster. It packs high school physics plus Physics 1 content into one fast-paced semester.
- Many found the lectures hard to follow. They relied on the textbook, YouTube and the problem-solving classes, which were widely praised.
- The weekly quizzes are manageable, but pracs feel rushed. Prepare the lab questions before class.
- Many took it for the GAMSAT, but several say it isn't needed for that. Expect 8+ hours a week if you have little physics background.
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 PHYC10009
Quick answers
- When is PHYC10009 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking PHYC10009?
- Needs None.
- Does PHYC10009 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 60% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 40%, Final exam 60%.
- Is PHYC10009 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Most reviewers say it is hard and not a WAM booster. It packs high school physics plus Physics 1 content into one fast-paced semester.
- What do students say about PHYC10009?
- Most reviewers say it is hard and not a WAM booster. It packs high school physics plus Physics 1 content into one fast-paced semester. Many found the lectures hard to follow. They relied on the textbook, YouTube and the problem-solving classes, which were widely praised. The weekly quizzes are manageable, but pracs feel rushed. Prepare the lab questions before class.
- How many class hours a week does PHYC10009 have?
- 5 h a week in class
- Can I take PHYC10009 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 PHYC10009?
- 10 subjects need it first, for example ENGR20004, PHYC10001, PHYC10002, PHYC10003.
- Can I rate PHYC10009?
- 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.