CHEM 257Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences

Units: 0.50
Faculty: Science
Subject: Chemistry

When it runs

Ran in 0 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

The principles and application of thermodynamics to systems in the life sciences, from small molecules to macromolecules. Principles of electrochemistry, transport properties, diffusion and collisions. Chemical and enzyme kinetics and their use in understanding chemical and biological transformations.

Prerequisites

Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
  - MATH119 - Calculus 2 for Engineering (0.50)
  - MATH128 - Calculus 2 for the Sciences (0.50)
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
  - CHEM123 - General Chemistry 2 (0.50)
  - CHEM125 - Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics (0.50)
  - NE121 - Chemical Principles (0.50)
- Enrolled in an Honours program

Corequisites

Completed or concurrently enrolled in at least 1 of the following:
- CHEM233 - Fundamentals of Biochemistry (0.50)
- CHEM237 - Introductory Biochemistry (0.50)
- NE281 - Biology for Nanotechnology Engineers (0.50)

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
Section	Class	Enrolled	Meets
LEC 001	7558	0 / 50	MWF 11:30–12:20
LEC 701	8166	42 / 9999	Online or by arrangement

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

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar

2026–27 (shown here)
2019–20 and earlier on ucalendar