CHEM 250LPhysical Chemistry 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.
This laboratory provides an introduction to physical chemistry experimentation. The experiments are designed to illustrate the principles and theories of thermodynamics and employ a variety of important techniques, including spectroscopy, conductivity, and calorimetry.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- CHEM140 - Introduction to Scientific Calculations (0.50)
- Enrolled in an Honours program
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAB 001 | 6985 | 21 / 20 | T 08:30–11:20 |
| LAB 002 | 6986 | 21 / 20 | T 14:30–17:20 |
| LAB 003 | 7202 | 15 / 20 | Th 08:30–11:20 |
| LAB 004 | 7276 | 22 / 20 | Th 14:30–17:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
83% liked it69% easy92% useful
From 23 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
The lab portion was so easy and chill, basically the antithesis of CHEM 220L. Having to do a report every two weeks was pretty tough, especially since a lot of the questions took some thought and/or research to answer, so I found that they took me quite a while, although they are marked pretty generously (at least with my TAs). Please please please start your lab reports at least a couple of days in advance I am warning you the stress of rushing it last-minute is NOT worth it!
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
The labs are super easy, and results aren't graded harshly if at all. The lab reports are insane sometimes though. Don't slack on these. The final was pretty easy too if you know the theory from the labs
Dec 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Honestly this lab is 75% theory. The in-lab sessions are simple and quick, often taking half the lab period. Fisher gives great prep for every lab, everything you need to succeed in this course is given to you. The lab is heavy on writing however, lengthy lab reports and pre-labs do take some time. The lab reports are designed to ensure you understand the experiment. Very little care is given to your accuracy or how well you completed the lab, and more towards your understanding of what you did.
Dec 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
13 posts and comments in 13 threads mention CHEM 250L, July 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.
Spring 2023
Is Chem 250L (Fisher) a weekly or biweekly lab? 4 points, 2 comments
u/em69420ma: “title lmao need to know how much i'm killing myself next term”
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”
u/Tea_and_cookiess: “If you ask Stacey, she’ll try to let you into CHEM 220L, if you ask Jake Fisher you can try to get into CHEM 250L. Most labs you can get into with a few emails!”
Winter 2021
Should I move? 2 points, 4 comments
u/BotDiffASF: “I have 2 lab courses next term which are offered on uw campus. Im a first year rn whos never been to campus before. The courses are CHEM 220L and CHEM 250L.”
I feel less bad about failing my midterm now (CHEM140) 221 points, 22 comments
u/DankChemystree: “I miss Jake fisher he’s the man he’s actually the coolest most chill prof in Chem 250L and 350L”
Spring 2020
Chem 340 1 point, 2 comments
“Has anyone taken Chem 340? How was it? Is it like 140L where one hour is a lecture and then you have 3 hours to finish the lab and hand it in at the end of the period?”
u/chamaeleons: “… Same early/late day policy as Chem 250L/Chem 350L. Since all the labs are already outlined in the book you can work ahead on them if you want. I really enjoyed the course overall! I don't recall any of the labs after first year having a time limit (at least the ones I took). …”
Winter 2020
Any upper year physics majors I can talk to? 4 points, 10 comments
“I'm in 1B chemical physics, and as much as I want to be a physicist, I'm worried that I'm not cut out for this course load. …”
u/mikeinater19: “… One thing I'd suggest you do is take chem 140 because it is a prerequisite for the chem 250L and it's a hassle getting a course override for it. …”
Fall 2019
Anyone who’s taken chem 250L, can you give me some advice about what to expect on the final exam and how to prepare for it? How easy/difficult is it? 4 points, 4 comments
Winter 2019
Jake Fisher 7 points, 18 comments
u/hiandbi2: “You should prolly be happy a TA is doing class, fisher is prolly the meanest prof I've had to deal with thus far in uni. And it doesn't really get any better in his second year course.”
u/mushrooey: “Jake was a bit intimidating in first year, but when i took his second year lab, he was really chill. What did he do in chem250L to upset you?”
Fall 2018
Opinions on the Chem 250L final? 3 points, 0 comments
u/hiandbi2: “IMO it was ok, I didn't like the derivation needed for q2 i think it was and q5 seemed insane so I didn't do it. what did yall think?”
Winter 2018
Science courses at Waterloo 3 points, 16 comments
“What are some of the interesting 2nd year and 3rd-year chem and bio courses to take at Waterloo?”
u/Thefanciestnoodle: “Chem 340, Chem 250L, Chem 350L are all super fun :)”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… 120L CHEM 123 CHEM 140 CHEM 201 CHEM 209 CHEM 220 CHEM 220L CHEM 237 CHEM 237L CHEM 240 CHEM 250L CHEM 254 CHEM 262 CHEM 262L CHEM 264 CHEM 266 CHEM 266L CHEM 267 CHEM 302 CHEM 310 CHEM 310L CHEM 323 CHEM 331 CHEM 333 CHEM 335L CHEM 339 CHEM 350L CHEM 356 CHEM 363 CHEM 370 CHEM …”
Spring 2017
CHEM250L/140? 2 points, 7 comments
u/smoothgoosewhisperer: “Anyone take CHEM250L? 140 is a prerequisite but is it necessary/worth taking as it isn't required for my degree? The prof has warned me I won't have spreadsheet skills and might be disadvantaged but I can use excel if that's all he's talking about”
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