CHEM 120LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory 1
- Units
- 0.25
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Chemistry
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Selected experiments based on introductory-level chemistry topics. This course is an introduction to the chemistry laboratory environment and focuses on the development of basic lab skills.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Corequisites
- Completed or concurrently enrolled in:
- CHEM120 - General Chemistry 1 (0.50)
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- CHEM121L - Chemical Reaction Laboratory 1 (0.25)
Leads to
Reviewed on UW Flow
77% liked it72% easy79% useful
From 692 ratings and 130 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
The lab was straightforward and interesting. The experiments we did were relevant to what we learned in CHEM 120 and were somewhat interesting. It was fun to work with my partner and have some fun doing the experiments, my TA was nice and the mood of the lab was very relaxed. There were some hiccups when some experiments were a little drawn out and it looked like it would take forever to finish a particular experiment (particularly the titration experiment) and there was quite a bit of time invested writing out a procedure and doing pre-lab quizzes. The course consisted of five labs, each with a pre-lab quiz to be completed 24 hours ahead of the scheduled lab session, writing out the…
Jan 2016 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Pretty basic lab course. Experiments weren’t too rigorous and set up a good foundation for future years. 30% were lab reports, 20% pre-lab quizzes, 10% in-lab performance mark and a 40% exam. Exam wasn’t too bad, just review your lab book thoroughly. Decent course, instructor is very nice.
Dec 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Clearly organized, pre and post lab reports are very time consuming but fairly easy. There are videos for each experiment and the lab book explains the procedure and the theory very clearly. The learn page and overall nature of the experiments were also very organized (unlike BioL 130L). I actually felt like I learned something at the end of this lab regarding both the experiments and perfecting use of equipment. The final was fair and the pre labs/post labs prepared us for it. Sue is very kind and funny, you would be lucky to have her as your instructor.
Dec 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Exceptionally organized course, I appreciate Sue so much for that. Everything you need to know for the lab reports and pre-lab assignments (PLAs) is in the lab manual, on LEARN, or in the experiment videos shared by Sue. You are given one week to complete the PLAs and at the end of the term, you have the opportunity to replace your lowest PLA mark with another assignment. The labs themselves are also quite enjoyable. For the last lab though, be sure to read and understand the post-lab report in advance, as you will be expected to submit it by the end of the class. As for the final exam, it was truly not bad at all. I remember reading older reviews and panicking on the day of my exam, but it…
Jan 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Good luck if you have a bad TA. Can be easy depending on which TA you have but if you get an annoying TA goodluck.
Dec 2021 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
130 posts and comments in 100 threads mention CHEM 120L, September 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Winter 2024
Taking Chem 120 apart from its Lab 1 point, 2 comments
“Hi guys, I am a bit full over the summer (5 courses) and a full-time job. I need chem 120 and its lab to be completed. …”
u/Dimtar_: “CHEM 120L is “required to be taken concurrently with, or prior to” CHEM 120. (source) so you can’t take the lab in the summer then the course in the fall, but you can do the other way around”
Accepted 22 points, 32 comments
“I got accepted to Waterloo Life Sciences. I've got accepted to other schools as well, and would like to hear students opinions on the school in regards to classes, profs, student life, and …”
u/alicialillie: “… in year 1 you’ll take chem120 which is the class itself and chem120L which is the lab. …”
Fall 2023
What is the first day of CHEM120L like? 1 point, 1 comment
u/yanet_726: “I'm a first year biomed student and I have my first chem lab tomorrow afternoon. I'm reading over everything on LEARN and I was wondering if we are going to be doing an actual lab or is the prof going to go over rules and standards for labs? I'm asking because 1. …”
u/Sad-boi-hourz: “… But I also think that when I took Chem120L it was online so I might be thinking of Chem125L”
u/NefariousnessOk4807: “Hi, I took Chem120L fall 2022! The first day of lab will just be you and a partner doing some basic lab work.. the TAs are super helpful and will help you if you’re stuck at any of the stations. …”
Spring 2023
CHEM 120 - How's the first month like? 1 point, 1 comment
“Considering the MWF schedule, how's the course load for Chem 120 like? Is it similar to grade 12 chem or "harder?" Also, are the tutorials mandatory to be in?”
u/CancriClanLives: “The course load was quite light iirc. Chem 120 was the only course I passed on my first term of year one. It really just expands a little bit upon the grade 12 chemistry curriculum. You should be able to pass it no problem along with Chem 120L.”
How's the first month like for a Public Health student? 1 point, 4 comments
“As an incoming Public Health student (first year), how is the first month of school usually like? In terms of course load, coursework, social activities, clubs, etc? …”
u/Master_Inspector3718: “From what I’ve heard course load is pretty light. You have full control over how much you fill up your days with extracurriculars”
u/Master_Inspector3718: “Chem120 runs MWF, if you’re taking chem120L that runs biweekly. Depends how you are with time management, keeping up to date with lessons and structuring your day. I found chem120 a heavier course than the hlth courses”
Chem 120L by itself? 1 point, 3 comments
u/TheScytheCrow27: “I needed to adjust my schedule and make room for both chem120 + lab but was only able to fit in the lecture. I am wondering if it is possible to take chem 120 now and the lab in a later term? …”
u/Master_Inspector3718: “Depends if you need courses that have chem120L as a prerequisite like chem123L because that could complicate scheduling later”
Do these courses look right? 3 points, 4 comments
“Hello everyone, incoming first-year student here that's a little confused with the course selections. I've been enrolled in Honours physical sciences (physics and astronomy) and all of the classes …”
u/cryptotope: “… The associated labs (PHYS 121L and CHEM 120L), which are 3-hour labs every other week (IIRC). The PHYS 10 seminar series which isn't actually for any credit and isn't mandatory attendance. …”
Winter 2023
CS 251 piazza drama 72 points, 7 comments
u/Dimtar_: “nothing will beat the one mf in chem 120L last fall borderline threatening people saying “meet me outside V1 and keep the same energy goof kid””
ta for first year chem lab 3 points, 0 comments
u/Exit_exe_: “im thinking about being a ta for chem 120L/123L spring 2023/fall 2023 but im not even sure if i can apply since i'll be in my 2A term and im not sure if they even hire students in their second year. i saw this form on the uw chem website, so do i just submit this form? …”
IB transfer credits for uw 0 points, 5 comments
“Hello, for the ib alumni: how many credits does HL Chem, bio, eng A (lang/lit) have? And whether tok and ee have credits as well. In order to skip freshman year, how many ib credits are needed? …”
u/___neXus__: “Nothing for Eng unfortunately. What program are you going for?”
u/Yash93: “TOK + EE will give you 0.5 PHIL 1XX credit. Chem HL will give you credit for CHEM 120, 120L, 123, 123L (essentially 1st year chem for non-chem majors). BIOL HL I believe will give for BIOL 239. More details here: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/ib-transfer-credit”
Fall 2022
I feel like I just wasted an entire term and I don't know what to do 13 points, 4 comments
u/HikoryStix: “… This term I had PHYS 121/121L, CHEM 120/120L, ENGL 193, CS 114 (which I dropped to try and take next term), and MATH 127. This was hell. The only relatively easy classes were ENGL 193 and PHYS 121L, which I both passed. …”
CS341 Moment... This post got deleted as well lol 68 points, 18 comments
u/Dimtar_: “nah the CHEM120L piazza from last fall where anonymous atom told someone to square up outside v1 and called them a “goof kid” was peak piazza”
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