CHEM 121LChemical Reaction Laboratory 1
- Units
- 0.25
- 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.
Selected experiments for students taking CHEM 121. 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:
- CHEM121 - Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter (0.50)
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- CHEM120L - General Chemistry Laboratory 1 (0.25)
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAB 001 | 7299 | 90 / 98 | Sep 9 14:30–17:20 Sep 23 14:30–17:20 Oct 7 14:30–17:20 Oct 28 14:30–17:20 Nov 11 14:30–17:20 Nov 25 14:30–17:20 |
| LAB 002 | 7300 | 93 / 98 | Sep 16 14:30–17:20 Sep 30 14:30–17:20 Oct 21 14:30–17:20 Nov 4 14:30–17:20 Nov 18 14:30–17:20 Dec 2 14:30–17:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
98% liked it65% easy94% useful
From 49 ratings and 10 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
fun labs, not fun TA. some just want to screw you over, so be sure to be super careful when writing the lab reports (answer EVERY POINT). sue and Courtney (the co-op student) were super helpful in answering my questions and didn't mind me going for regrade requests. did pretty well on the final so I was able to redeem myself
Dec 2023 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
very fun experiments (just wish i didnt have to run to math 127 quizzes after). lab reports werent that bad but if ur TA is tough then good luck. very well organized course regardless and sue is the goat
Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
I absolutely enjoyed this lab! Each lab was different from each other but was nothing too difficult. The structure was good and expectations were clear.
Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Very fun lab course, most of the experiments are a lot of fun and nothing is too challenging. Make sure you're not leaving your Lab Reports to the last minute (as I often did), because they're often more work than you think they're going to be. There is a written exam at the end of the course, but it's not that difficult as long as you go back and review your early experiments, and you're given helpful study resources. Certainly the best lab of 1A science!
Feb 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Loved the labs! lab reports were kind of annoying, harsh TA marking was even more annoying. Final exam wasn't the worst. Overall, pretty good course
Jan 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
6 posts and comments in 5 threads mention CHEM 121L, October 2017 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.
Fall 2023
What will happen to me? 167 points, 62 comments
“So I have finished 1A term ended up failing 4 courses and I got email from my advisor saying I’ll basically end up getting kicked out of math faculty… Since the academic standing hasn’t come out yet …”
u/TechnicalSpread7368: “Well, if you couldn't get a single first year math course above 60, it's hard for them to let you stay in the math program...”
u/CancriClanLives: “… At the end I only passed Chem 121L(you can drop main component if you talk to advisor.) I know some of y'all don't count this as a different course but they have different course materials and and different final exams so I don't see why you shouldn't count them as separate …”
Does W Store run out of first-year lab manuals? 1 point, 3 comments
u/liathelion123: “i noticed all my lab classes (BIOL130L, CHEM121L) want us to get our lab manuals at the W Store by the first class (week of sept 11). I'll only be arriving in Canada on sept 11. Has the W Store ever ran out of first-year lab manuals? …”
Fall 2022
I failed whole courses. What should I do 43 points, 20 comments
“So I literally bombed the whole final exams and especially for CS135 and MATH 137 I'm sure that I'll get below 30 percent. At this point I just want to d.ie What should I do....”
u/CoxsHadron: “I flunked my entire first semester but CHEM 121L. I'll now be graduating soon. I know it's incredibly tough and feels like death, but you can pull through. Just learn your lesson and keep at it.”
u/AcademicAdvisorBot: “First, take a deep breath and give yourself a pat on the back for passing CHEM 121L. That’s not an easy feat, and it’s a testament to your efforts. Now, it’s time to focus on how you’re going to improve your grades and graduate soon. …”
Spring 2020
Biochemistry at UW 0 points, 3 comments
u/BotDiffASF: “… My first term looks like this: BIOL 130/130L, CHEM 121/121L, PHYS 111, MATH 127, ENGL 193”
Fall 2017
First yeah spectroscopy lab 0 points, 2 comments
u/hiandbi2: “Trying to do the 3rd chem lab report for first year (chem 121L) it requires you to find unknown metals/gas discharge tubes, how the fuck do I do this? Just randomly google gases till I find it? Is there a strategy?”
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