CHEM 121Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Chemistry
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
A first-year chemistry course for students in chemistry-based programs. The stoichiometry of compounds and chemical reactions. Properties of gases. Periodicity and chemical bonding. Energy changes in chemical systems. Electronic structure of atoms and molecules; correlation with the chemical reactivity of common elements, inorganic and organic compounds.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 1A
- Enrolled in H-Biochemistry, H-Biochemistry - Biotechnology Specialization, H-Chemistry, H-Chemistry - Computational Specialization, H-Materials & Nanosciences, or H-Medicinal Chemistry
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- CHEM120 - General Chemistry 1 (0.50)
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7297 | 183 / 240 | MWF 10:30–11:20 |
| LEC 002 | 7298 | 56 / 60 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 7303 | 183 / 240 | Th 13:30–14:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
98% liked it81% easy96% useful
From 55 ratings and 11 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
this course is SO well organized on LEARN and dr. ingram is an enthusiastic, supportive, and engaging lecturer. all multiple choice tests/exam, very lenient markscheme with many alternatives to maximize your grade; participation and assignments are unable to bring down your grade. test and exam questions were all very reasonable and lots of relevant practice is given. make sure to watch the pre class videos so you can keep with lectures.
Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Very fun course, Laura Ingram is a great prof and does a fantastic job explaining the concepts. Lots of review from high school chemistry with some new content mixed in mostly towards the end. Lots of weekly work, but that helps a lot with the term tests and exam, and all the questions were fair. Great course, one of the highlights of your first term!
Feb 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Lots of helpful marks that will support you in your first year, the participation challenges also helped to keep lessons fresh in your mind. The tests were nothing out of the blue and the practice tests were excellent tools to prepare *After* doing your own review
Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
super interesting, well-structured course! modules don't range too much in difficulty and as long as you're on track with the pre-class content and do the participation challenges and assignments, scoring a high mark isn't too difficult
Dec 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This course has a lot of things present in it for you to succeed, just make sure you understand the concepts well; Laura is welcoming and helpful at all times.
Oct 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
34 posts and comments in 28 threads mention CHEM 121, July 2018 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.
Spring 2024
Taking antireq instead 6 points, 1 comment
u/photokitty01: “I switched my plan to chemistry and since CHEM121 (required course for my degree) creates a schedule conflict this term, would it be a good idea to take CHEM120 instead since the content is very similar? Will it still count as a credit towards my major? …”
u/kapgirl: “… If CHEM 121 is the requirement to graduate, that and only that is allowed unless your advisor signs off (they sign your degree approval). Antireq means there is content overlap but does not mean they are equivalent. …”
Need a non-math elective, is Psych101 a decent course? 2 points, 6 comments
“I'm quite interested in this elective, but also want to make sure it's not too difficult. I heard it involves a lot of science. I didn't take any BIO class in high school. Is this worth a try?”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “https://outline.uwaterloo.ca/view/nnmqtv Looks like no exams, but the weekly quizzes might be tedious Based on the topics, it doesn't seem to be too difficult. …”
u/_Space_Core_: “Psych 101 is really only hard if you don't like psychology, it's a higher course workload than all the 200 level psych courses, but easier than ochem or Chem 121/123”
life sci first year workload 1 point, 5 comments
“\title Also, how are the labs for first year and what profs would you guys recommend?”
u/smol_pumpkinnn: “… Laura Ingram is great for CHEM 120/121 and 123/125. …”
Winter 2024
CHEM 120 with Jake Fisher for SPRING 1 point, 3 comments
“Has anyone had him? Is he good? I am taking the course in spring with him and I have found a lot of negative reviews of him. Would the midterms/finals be most likely online?”
u/smol_pumpkinnn: “… I have no clue how he is for CHEM 120, but when I did CHEM 121 in-person during the Fall (with Laura Ingram), the two midterms and final were multiple choice and the weekly online Participation Challenges and Assignments weren't too bad. …”
Fall 2023
Where do we go from here? 54 points, 27 comments
“I was writing my very first exam today in PAC and was rudely interrupted by the fire alarm. what happens now? …”
u/number1bamtori: “i was in m3 and our section didn't get extra time at all..”
u/PerceptionBetter9652: “Yeah that’s because m3 was writing for chem 121 not 120”
Am I doomed 23 points, 10 comments
“I failed both midterms for chem 120. Should I drop out!”
u/Automatic-Shame-7027: “same ;-;, i got 40% first and 25% second idrk what to do, i might just drop it but this has really discouraged me and I feel like dropping out.”
u/Automatic-Shame-7027: “im in chem 121 she released them on friday :(”
Failing Chem 121 1 point, 0 comments
Failing Chem 121 1 point, 0 comments
Failing Chem 121 1 point, 0 comments
what to do 1 point, 9 comments
“Hey guys so long story short my study habits in highschool were atrocious. To put things into perspective i was able to acheive mid 70s low 80s without even trying really and was privleged to recieve …”
u/em69420ma: “… I would suggest CHEM 120/121, PHYS 111/121, and MATH 127 (assuming these are the ones you're taking). Unless you're a phys based major, chem and math will probably be the best choices because of how they lead into so many other courses. Meet with your academic advisor. …”
Taking KIN 217 and BIOL 130 at the same time; stupid or possible? 1 point, 1 comment
u/RoseAqua_: “… should’ve taken BIOL 130 already but the slides she posted said the only prerequisite was Chem 121 (which I already completed). …”
Spring 2023
Not getting mandatory courses??? 1 point, 5 comments
“Hey everyone, I’m going into faculty of science this September and just heard a rumour that sometimes people don’t get all the courses they need even if they are all mandatory and no electives. …”
u/mex_bchem00: “Because you're going into first year, you don't need to worry about this for your mandatory classes (especially CHEM 120/121 and BIOL 130) because most first year science students take those classes. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them