CHEM 221Multi-Component Analysis
- Units
- 0.50
- 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: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Instrumental analytical chemistry, including traditional and more recent methods. Emphasis on planning and decision-making in the analytical process.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6726 | 0 / 50 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2510 | 19 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
47% liked it47% easy53% useful
From 15 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Very boring course, but gives a lot of insight into how a lot of methods and instruments work.
Aug 2017 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
So boring. The entire course is virtually memorization.
Jan 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Possibly the most boring class you will take as a Chemistry student. Insane amount of memorization. Entire class was bored to death the entire time. Analytical is a dry subject and this course took that to a new level. Good luck keeping up when boredom is taking you in and out of consciousness.
Apr 2023 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
35 posts and comments in 25 threads mention CHEM 221, 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.
Spring 2021
chem questions 2 points, 20 comments
u/timetodeathh: “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. there’s SO MUCH MATERIAL and the profs never say what specifically to study…. …”
u/3point14luong: “… CHEM 221: This should be the easiest of the three courses you listed. If professor Karanassios (VK) is teaching it this term, it should be a walk in park. He will re-use questions from the homework he assigns and examples in the course notes. …”
u/your_gracious: “unfortunately this term for chem 221 it’s with dr. gorecki and we’re using proctorU for our exams 🙄”
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/timetodeathh: “chem 221 and chem 254 are both pretty easy, minimal studying required.”
u/3point14luong: “… CHEM 221: This is the second analytical chem course. 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. …”
Experience with ProctorU? 10 points, 16 comments
“One of my classes is requiring we use a program called ProtorU to proctor our exams. I was okay with it at first but after doing more research it feels invasive and strange. …”
u/your_gracious: “chem 221 😭”
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: “… CHEM 221: This is the second analytical chem course. 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. …”
Chem 221 advice 3 points, 4 comments
u/sarahlovesparis: “Can someone lmk how difficult chem 221 is?? Is it better than 220? I’m heading for a 4 question quiz in a couple days with V.K and don’t know what to expect.”
Chem 221 3 points, 5 comments
u/sarahlovesparis: “Anyone taken Chem 221? I have it right now with V.K but I’m not sure if I should drop out and take it next term with a different prof? Is it an easier course?? Should I just keep it with V.K? Cuz I’m taking a full course load right now. …”
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: “… You'll cover very similar things to CHEM 221 and the course is even described as a continuation of CHEM 323. Like those courses, there were two pop quizzes, two midterms, and a poster presentation. If there were an easy 400 to take, this would be it. …”
Fall 2020
What CHEM courses do you recommend? 2 points, 9 comments
u/Rondowida9: “… CHEM 357 Elizabeth Meiering CHEM 333 Thorsten Dieckmann CHEM 221, 323 Vassilli Karanassios CHEM 360 Eric Fillion CHEM 356 Jonathan Baugh CHEM 240 Adam Wei Tsen CHEM 370 Mario Gauthier CHEM 350 German sciani CHEM 254 Marcel Nooijen Which class+prof did you have? …”
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: “… CHEM 221/323 with Vassilli Karanassios: These are analytical chemistry courses that focus more on the instrumentation side of things. Honestly, the two courses are basically the same thing. Pretty sure he uses the same course notes for 221 and 323. …”
CHEM 220 Questions? 5 points, 15 comments
“Hi, is this an easy course online, I am a 1A CS student looking to take the course online 1B to fulfill my depth requirements (I have CHEM 120 and CHEM 123 from AP Chem)? …”
u/MarkusbeatsConnor: “… Ps:The lab is pre req for chem 221”
Spring 2020
Honors Sciences + Minor 0 points, 4 comments
u/TheEarlyGreat: “… I will study CHEM 209, 212, 220, 221, 240, 310, 313, 383, 360, 356, 323, 404 and 464. As well as 2 courses of biology and 5 electives. …”
Best CHEM Elective for 4A Biochem Online 1 point, 2 comments
u/sgangster: “… Also for CHEM 323 I have not taken CHEM 221, but I'm planning on getting a course override if that's the course I decide to take.”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
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