POPH20001 Genetics, Health, and Society
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 60%: exam-heavy
- About 3 class hours a week
- 15% group work
Is POPH20001 hard?
POPH20001: Easier. Makes it easier: Reviewers say it’s manageable (10 reviews), Reviewers say the workload is light. Makes it harder: Final exam 60%.
What you learn
The ethics, law and social side of genetics: testing, privacy, identity, and genes in art and media.
After it you can
- Apply core ethical principles to genetic cases
- Explain the basics of heredity and genetic tests
- Discuss genetics in law and society
What you need first
None
Careers
Helps toward: Biochemist, Microbiologist, Zoologist, Laboratory scientist, Veterinarian, Biotechnologist
How it’s assessed
Quizzes 25%, Presentations 15%, Final exam 60%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2020–2026)
- Most reviewers call it an interesting, low-workload breadth and a WAM booster, with an average mark said to sit around the mid-80s.
- The quizzes are short and the group creative project is light, but your mark there depends on your group and on how creative the presentation is.
- The exam is long on writing and tight on time, but open-ended answers are marked generously; going to tutorials and knowing the core ethical principles helps most.
- A minority disagreed: one 2023 reviewer found the quizzes hard and said it was no WAM booster without steady effort.
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 POPH20001
Quick answers
- When is POPH20001 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking POPH20001?
- No prerequisites.
- Does POPH20001 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 60% of the mark. Assessment: Quizzes 25%, Presentations 15%, Final exam 60%.
- Is POPH20001 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Most reviewers call it an interesting, low-workload breadth and a WAM booster, with an average mark said to sit around the mid-80s.
- What do students say about POPH20001?
- Most reviewers call it an interesting, low-workload breadth and a WAM booster, with an average mark said to sit around the mid-80s. The quizzes are short and the group creative project is light, but your mark there depends on your group and on how creative the presentation is. The exam is long on writing and tight on time, but open-ended answers are marked generously; going to tutorials and knowing the core ethical principles helps most.
- How many class hours a week does POPH20001 have?
- 3 h a week in class
- Can I take POPH20001 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedicine, 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, Bachelor of Science.
- Can I rate POPH20001?
- 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.