CHEM 220Intro Analytical Chemistry
- 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.
Quantitative and analytical chemistry including ionic equilibria, classical and more recent methods. Emphasis on planning and decision-making in the analytical process.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7116 | 237 / 250 | MW 09:30–10:20 F 09:30–10:20 |
| TUT 101 | 7385 | 237 / 250 | F 10:30–11:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
66% liked it76% easy79% useful
From 82 ratings and 15 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
While the content might not be everyone's cup of tea, I think this is one of the more useful courses you'll take in your first few years, especially if you take it alongside CHEM 220L. The first half is a pretty easy introduction into stats and calculations, along with some first year review, and once you get into modern techniques it does become pretty memorization-based, but it's stuff you'll have to know down the line. Stacey does a great job of making the lectures engaging and the content interesting, and I found the tests and exam to be a very fair reflection of what was taught in the course and shown on the practice material.
Dec 2025 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Stacey is an engaging lecturer, but the content itself is dry. Questions given on exams/tests are quite a bit more difficult than those reviewed in lecture.
Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Honestly, I'm surprised this class has so many good reviews? In my opinion the content was taught poorly and the notes weren't that clear. The class would've been a lot easier if the prof explained the processes better. Pretty harsh marking as well. Not a bird course like everyone is saying.
Oct 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
I wish I took this course before any other chemistry course because things finally made sense. I recommend taking this course, it is a moderate course load, with math and some theory. I thoroughly enjoyed going to class.
Dec 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
A better introduction to stats than physics courses. I had a great time and 2 years later I still remember content
Jul 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
114 posts and comments in 85 threads mention CHEM 220, January 2012 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
2B Course load 1 point, 7 comments
u/2kofawsome: “These questions always depend on the individual. &x200B; Which courses did you take last term, and how hard was the workload?”
u/Objective_Aerie_4348: “I took CS 245 CS 246 MATH 239 ECON 101 and CHEM 220. It was pretty manageable imo.”
Spring 2022
Looking for CHEM 200 level courses suggestions/ Science and Aviation program 3 points, 14 comments
“Hi guys, Im starting my first year as a second year student at waterloo this fall for science and aviation program. …”
u/Tea_and_cookiess: “If Stacey is teaching CHEM 220, I cannot recommend it enough! It’s been my favourite course all degree and Stacey is such a good lecturer! It’s not a hard course but is super helpful”
Winter 2022
Anyone else scared of their in person midterms 82 points, 24 comments
u/WarriorcatsFTW: “I had both my CHEM220 midterms in person last semester and they weren't as bad as I thought, you got this!”
Fall 2021
Anyone in CHEM 220 Wanna go over the assignment together 0 points, 0 comments
u/FastCaramel: “hmu”
Spring 2021
chem questions 2 points, 20 comments
“any upper year chem (or science in general!) students wanna share some insight on the chem 221, chem 212, chem 265 exams?? seriously i’m so lost. …”
u/3point14luong: “I took all of these courses in person, so I'm not sure what the online equivalent will be like. CHEM 221: This should be the easiest of the three courses you listed. …”
u/3point14luong: “… For a lot of people, CHEM 221 with VK has been kind of a saving grace after getting wrecked in CHEM 220 with Mikkelsen. I've never used proctorU, so I can't really comment on it. …”
Whats the easiest 200 level or above CHEM course?? 1 point, 9 comments
u/3point14luong: “… I didn't list it's prereq (CHEM 220) as an easy course because a lot of people get destroyed if Dr. Mikkelsen is the one teaching it. The experience will vary a bit depending on who is teaching, but for the last few years it has been taught by Dr. Vassili Karanassios. …”
Chem 209 0 points, 3 comments
u/sarahlovesparis: “Thoughts on Chem 209? I’m completing a minor in chem and not sure if I should add this in. I took chem 220, 221, taking chem 223 and 404. Any other chemistry course suggestions??? Or what are your thoughts on Chem 266 online”
Winter 2021
Easiest Chem course? 6 points, 10 comments
“Aside from Chem120 Want to hear about chem lecture classes, not the lab components”
u/3point14luong: “… I didn't list it's preq (CHEM 220) as an easy course because a lot of people get destroyed if Dr. Mikkelsen is the one teaching it. The experience will vary a bit depending on who is teaching, but for the last few years it has been taught by Dr. Vassili Karanassios. …”
Med chem vs Biochem 0 points, 5 comments
“For upper years, which program do you think is harder? Also does anyone have recommended 3rd/4th year courses for the med chem program”
u/3point14luong: “As someone else mentioned, it would really depend on what your strengths happen to be. If you're better with biology, you'll probably find biochem easier. …”
u/3point14luong: “… I know a lot of people aren't a fan of Mikkelsen because of their experiences with her in CHEM 220, but she does mellow out a bit compared to second year. It wasn't the hardest 400 I've taken, but I wouldn't necessarily call it easy either. …”
Fall 2020
What CHEM courses do you recommend? 2 points, 9 comments
“Hello and sorry for the long post ahead. I would rly appreciate any help I could get regarding the following courses from which I plan on selecting from over the course of the next 3 terms. …”
u/homosexual_abit: “Chem 254 will power easy 90 Chem 333 easy 80 Chem 221 prof v easy 90”
u/skairipaOB: “hows chem 221 vs chem 220?? especially if mikkelsen isnt the one teaching”
u/3point14luong: “What kind of chemistry are you interested in? Or are you just looking for chem courses that people generally do well in? Regardless, I guess I can give a breakdown of the classes I've taken. …”
u/Rondowida9: “… But with analytical chem it's more of a flashback of chem 220 that's scaring me. …”
Y'all notice something wrong w/ CHEM 220 2 points, 2 comments
u/Rondowida9: “Am I the only one to see that my grades dropped today. Like...my grades rn that are on learn are not the ones that were there before. What's worse is that the grade distribution made every test heavier. How was this course in general for you all?”
Easiest Biology course at UW?? 0 points, 7 comments
“Whats the easiest, most bird-like bio course that I could take next term?”
u/spicysalmontunaroll: “Depends on what Bio/Chem courses you've already taken and if it needs to be 300/400 level. Of the ones offered in winter (and those that I've taken) I don't think any of them in my experience are …”
u/katptz: “it can be any level (even 100), and i’ve taken all first year CHEM and CHEM 266 and CHEM 220, but ive yet to take any bio (i only have highschool bio)”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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