CHEM 212Structure and Bonding
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Chemistry
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An introduction to the principles of chemical structure and bonding, with emphasis on their application to inorganic systems. Topics include atoms, orbitals, and periodicity; localized bonding models; symmetry and group theory; and molecular orbital theory. The subjects treated in this course are foundational components for advanced studies in all areas of chemistry.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6733 | 0 / 70 | MWF 13:30–14:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2502 | 51 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 6937 | 0 / 70 | F 10:00–11:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
50% liked it7% easy74% useful
From 56 ratings and 18 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Most challenging course in 2nd year chemistry.
Jan 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I nearly failed both midterms but got my act together for the exam (worth a high %) and managed a decent grade overall first try! Here are my tips for success: (1) Do not treat lectures as optional. You will have a very hard time (and waste time) finding the information given in a lecture that you didn’t attend. This course is largely about using theory to make valid arguments and predictions. These explanations and arguments are only given out loud and on the whiteboard (which is not posted afterwards). The slides do not have explanations and are mostly just visual aid during lecture. You also cannot find those same arguments anywhere on the internet, and not even in the textbook in most…
May 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course is WILD. I was one of the few who quite enjoyed it. The content is very out there, especially once you get to Group theory and symmetry onwards. The best thing you can do is a lot of practice material. Hopefully tutorial quizzes still exist, they were gifts from the gods in terms of real questions like the midterm. Good luck soldiers.
Apr 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Avoid like the plague if you can. Not a good course to take.
Apr 2015 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
taught by john f corrigan, hes a super nice guy and teaches it really well, just a bit quiet sometimes
you need to spend a TON of time trying to visualize the concepts in your head and wrap your brain around things, for me it was very confusing at first, but once i figured stuff out it became one of the most interesting courses i have taken. a molecular model kit is your best friendAug 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
138 posts and comments in 105 threads mention CHEM 212, December 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
chem212 1 point, 5 comments
u/RareUnderstanding531: “How bad really is chem 212 if i were to take it for a chem minor😭 it’s really the only thing that fits into my schedule and is a pre requisite for a lot of courses. Is it better to just not do the minor if this class will tank my mark so hard…”
u/chiigen_: “Just took chem212 (as an eng student, not sure my grades yet). The course somewhat combines linear algebra and chemistry. If you're a visual person and can rotate molecules in your head (which takes practice), you'll likely do fine. …”
uwaterloo med chem 1 point, 1 comment
“so i just applied to the university of waterloo under the med chem program. the reason i chose this program is because of how chemistry heavy it is, i am currently taking a-level chem and i really …”
u/HeadBreak2610: “… CHEM 212 with Sonny Lee is something else indeed, this portion is not touched upon at all in Alevels because it’s too challenging, at that age. …”
Chem 212 2 points, 0 comments
u/diorxrosewood: “Planning to take chem 212( structures and bonding) in W24, does anyone have the course notes/ lecture materials from previous terms?”
Fall 2023
What were the most challenging courses you have taken? 1 point, 13 comments
“I know math 145 is a hard one? What else?”
u/Korayjt: “If you’re in chemistry and you don’t say CHEM 212 you’re lying.”
Winter 2023
Biggest disaster of a course you have ever been in and why? 82 points, 30 comments
“In honor of stat231, share the biggest clusterfuck of a course you have ever taken and why. Mine isn’t super bad but ENVS278 this semester lost 1/3 of the class between first and second midterm, …”
u/SueASideAll: “CHEM 212. 54% was the average on the midterm this term, which was the highest its ever been. When Itook it 2 terms ago, the midterm average was in the 30s. The philosophy is that he doesnt have to curve the final if everyone who needs a curve drops the course after the midterm”
Fall 2022
Are Waterloo’s physical science programs good? 4 points, 14 comments
“So I got early acceptance into Waterloo physical sciences with co-op (I’m leaning towards medicinal chemistry). But I keep hearing from people that Waterloo is only good for CS and engineering. …”
u/DwarvesInATrenchcoat: “… The first year is tough but doable but the issues really come with organic chem in second and third year and Chem 212. These courses regularly have incredibly low midterm marks (30%) and are notoriously difficult. …”
Chem212 4 points, 7 comments
u/wholetthedawgin: “taking chem212 and I’ve been warned enough times to know that it is a GPA-killer, which I can’t afford to have. How does one prep for the class and any advice on how to get a good grade?”
u/PizzaGlizzy: “… As for CHEM 212 your enjoyment depends on your professor. I had Sonny Lee who is a powerful speaker and makes inorganic chemistry as interesting as it can be. …”
u/SnooSeagulls8307: “It's the type of class where you get better based on practice but the prof doesn't give many practice problems. …”
u/PizzaGlizzy: “… As for CHEM 212 you'll be stuck with the same prof so get used to him.”
What does TUT means in schedule? 49 points, 35 comments
u/Hazelloverr: “Tutorial”
u/MonkeyMercenaryCapt: “For Chem 212 almost certainly at least an attendance grade. Check your syllabus!”
u/Quiinzy: “these spots can also just be used as a second slot for a lecture but i assume for chem212 its not a second lecture spot”
Spring 2022
A 51% midterm average and the prof says "I've gone too easy on you" 207 points, 26 comments
“&x200B; https://preview.redd.it/550fjifr06f91.png?width=1552&format=png&auto=webp&s=13575f6d0976e40b3b3ead97e93d2d85ae7dacd8”
u/Quinndalin66: “Thought maybe it was chem 212 before I read the prof name but the average was too high. Still quite a sad answer”
Holy 💀 1,451 points, 465 comments
[deleted]: “Ruthless. What class is this???”
u/Quinndalin66: “Ngl I thought this was Chem 212. That course was made to fail”
EASY SCIENCE MAJORS AT UWATERLOO 5 points, 20 comments
“SOMEONE PLS HELP Hey, so I'm planning on doing Biochem, co-op major at Uwaterloo this fall and I dont know if it's the best for me since everyone is saying that it's a very hard major. …”
u/Korayjt: “Switch into pure Chem it’s way easier, you get to take bird courses like CHEM 212 and CHEM 265. Highly recommend.”
Winter 2022
chem 212 3 points, 3 comments
u/timetodeathh: “haven’t gone on quest yet but someone let me know when the grades come out cuz i’m terrified :-) if they are already out, i probably won’t look anyways cuz i don’t want to ruin my mental health”
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