CHEM 266Basic Organic Chemistry 1
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Chemistry
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 1 lecture section. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Structure, nomenclature, and reactions of important classes of organic compounds. Stereochemistry and its role in reaction mechanisms.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6989 | 378 / 380 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 002 | 6990 | 352 / 380 | MWF 09:30–10:20 |
| TST 101 | 7147 | 730 / 760 | Oct 26 17:30–18:50 Nov 23 17:30–18:50 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6911 | 0 / 60 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
53% liked it23% easy81% useful
From 311 ratings and 90 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Honestly, this course isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Yes, the content can be difficult, but if you go to class and do the practice that is recommended, it is possible to do well. I would recommend buying the textbook in order to do the TopHat quizzes (bonus 5%) and completing the Kritiks (bonus 10%). The profs clearly care about the students, and want you to do well. The tests are fair, and they provide tests from previous years, along with the answers, in order to practice. Plus, you are allowed a double-sided cheat sheet for the tests and the final exam. I ended up doing better in this class than chem 120, and chem 123. The content was interesting, and leads into a lot of…
Jan 2023 · liked it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I am writing as someone who achieved 100% on this course (got a 100% on the exam and it was my final grade). First of all, I am not doing this to show-off at all or make myself seem better than anyone. I am only writing this to give people hope that they can do well if they use the correct strategies. I simply want to pass my wisdom/experience (I guess haha? not to say im wiser than anyone LMAO) to the next generation of young organic chemists. DO NOT LISTEN TO PEOPLE WHO SAY THIS IS HARD OR THAT NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY YOU WILL DO BAD. I had no hopes for this course because so many people dropped my confidence saying this is a hard course BUT DON'T LISTEN TO THEM. Many people say it is…
Dec 2023 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
If I had a dime for every tear shed for this course, I would own Tesla. I think the combo of being really bad at chem and taking it online really took me out. I BARELY passed. Still passed tho :)
Jun 2021 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course is like a haunted house.
Organic chemistry was easily the hardest class I’ve ever taken, and it humbled me fast. Taking it alongside a full course load (including three labs) made it even more challenging. This is a course that truly requires constant practice and review, which is just not really realistic for science students who have multiple other science courses and labs that also require a lot of time and effort.
The beginning of the course feels manageable, but once the content ramps up (after midterm 1), it really ramps up. By the time you reach the exam, you’re expected to know around 30 reactions, all of their reagents, mechanisms, pathways, exceptions, and special…Dec 2025 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course gets a lot of hate, however I think the content is fairly straightforward if you keep up with it during the term. When the content is tested together, it is very overwhelming and that is why it is important to keep with the course. I personally found this course easier than CHEM 123. My best advice is to try to get 100s on the Kritiks, and prelec quizzes, and try to enter the exam with a higher mark because the exam is very content heavy.
Jan 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
400 posts and comments in 306 threads mention CHEM 266, 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.
Fall 2024
BOOMSHAKALAKA YES GOODDDDD!!!! 63 points, 9 comments
“i passed orgo guys, christmas miracle i can sleep in peace. goodnight and goodluck to everyone i hope everyone passes all their courses and it will get better i love you all <3”
u/Strategos_Kanadikos: “I remember cramming a night for this, I was so happy to come out with 72% even though that was the lowest mark on my transcript. This CHEM266? That course was no joke...”
1 day amd a few hours till marks release 59 points, 64 comments
“Thanks Mr.Goose”
u/potatoesmixedwithidk: “Thank you Mr. Goose, please save me from CHEM 266”
Chem 266 final 7 points, 3 comments
u/CommKey: “chat does the chem 266 final typically get curved?”
CHEM 266 Midterm 2 2 points, 3 comments
u/potatoesmixedwithidk: “How are we feeling? 🤓”
Chem120 Midterm 1 point, 7 comments
“So i failed both of the midterms which were weighted 20% each. Do you know any one that happens to be an upper year who failed 2 midterms but miraculously passed the course? …”
u/voxaun: “i passed but i got 53. retook the course and got 85”
u/voxaun: “tbh i would WD if i were you T\T it's better to retake it & know the concepts so you can succeed in chem 123 and chem 266. i failed one midterm & i did poorly on the exam”
Spring 2024
CHEM 266 LAB 1 point, 0 comments
u/Sharp_Television6561: “Anyone who is in section 001 (week 1 Monday 2:30) willing to switch with 002 (week 2 Monday 2:30)??”
CHEM 266 Lab section switch!!!! 1 point, 0 comments
u/Sharp_Television6561: “Anyone who is in section 001 (week 1 Monday 2:30) willing to switch with 002 (week 2 Monday 2:30)??”
CHEM 266 lab section switch 1 point, 1 comment
u/Acceptable-Ad-2995: “Anyone willing to switch their Thursday evening section (5:30-8:20) for my tuesday lab section (2:30-5:20)”
CHEM 266 2 points, 3 comments
u/Acceptable-Ad-2995: “For anyone that has taken this class in the past during fall term, are the lectures recorded?”
chem 266 final 2 points, 2 comments
u/Good-Acanthaceae9645: “how do people think they did? do you think hes gonna curve it like he did the midterm”
chem 266 1 point, 5 comments
u/voxaun: “i'm super anxious about chem 266 this fall, and i want to prepare for it during the remainder of august. i nearly failed chem 120, but i did much better in chem 123. what are important concepts to review for chem 266? i've taken a look at the course outline but i'm unsure.”
Chem 266 1 point, 0 comments
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