uwloo

CHEM 356Introductory Quantum Mechanics

Units
0.50
Faculty
Science
Subject
Chemistry

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Historical background; the differential equation approach to quantum mechanics; treatments of solvable problems such as the particle-in-a-box, harmonic oscillator, rigid rotator and the hydrogen atom; introduction to approximation methods for more complicated systems.

Prerequisites

  • Complete 1 of the following
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • AMATH250 - Introduction to Differential Equations (0.50)
      • AMATH251 - Introduction to Differential Equations (Advanced Level) (0.50)
      • CHEM240 - Mathematical Methods for Chemistry (0.50)
      • MATH228 - Differential Equations for Physics and Chemistry (0.50)
    • Complete all of the following

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001698774 / 90MWF 09:30–10:20
TUT 101704574 / 90Th 11:30–12:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

58% liked it53% easy58% useful

From 12 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Midterm and finals were fair, we're allowed to bring 4 pages of notes. Easy course if you have a strong math/phys foundation. A tip for studying: think about what the eqn/answer imply, and try to interpret the result. All that tedious math/BS woulnd't meant a thing if you don't know what/why you're doing it. One critique of this course would be the assignment component, which is peer graded- you can get someone harsh/trash.

    Jan 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The first half was general Quantum Mechanics, which were straightforward but very mathematical (which I liked), just be solid on linear algebra and DEs and you will be fine for that part.
    The second part was using the first half on both more complicated models (with some approximations built in) to get actual chemical information out of them and on getting qualitative results out of our models that you see in chem 120 (plus an intro to some approximations that explain where to begin on computational approaches). Overall, very fun and interesting for a non-chemistry student (me), provided you have ~chem 120 knowledge as a prereq.

    Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Don't let the course name or content scare you. If you've taken chem 209, then a lot of the content is the same, or even at a lower level. The 5 homework assignments were somewhat tricky at times, but the term tests and final were easy questions, plus formulas were given, which is always nice.
    Overall, very interesting course that teaches you the basics of quantum mechanics. It also connects to a lot of topics that you would have covered in previous science courses.

    Jan 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

22 posts and comments in 19 threads mention CHEM 356, December 2015 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

Have you ever failed/barely passed a midterm and still passed the final? 35 points, 38 comments

“Just barely passed the midterm for cs115 and as the content is getting more complex the final is definitely gonna be harder. …”

u/wholetthedawgin: “quantum mech 1 (CHEM 356), failed the first midterm that’s weighed 35% like SO badly I went back home and cried for 2 days straight - not only ended up with 70%, but also went into doing research in quantum chem a semester or two later. …”

View on RedditRemove this

Spring 2023

Fall 2022

Spring 2021

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? …”

View on RedditRemove this

Spring 2020

Chem 356 0 points, 1 comment

u/Nice_Raccoon_4753: “Has anyone taken Chem 356? How was it? Jonathan Baugh is teaching it next term”

u/ferretsangle: “If you're asking about Chem 356 with Jonathan Baugh, i think he last taught quantum like 9 years ago. Probably better to ask on the chem club fb page. If you're asking about Owen woody, who is teaching Stat 202. He is an amazing prof. I'm taking the course this fall too.”

View on RedditRemove this

Fall 2019

Does anybody know and can anybody describe what your experiences were with Quantum Mechanics in uni? What year did you take it? Feel free to vent, or just give anything-suggestions, hate, teachers who taught the course, etc...the environment whilst studying the course.....anything...etc. 5 points, 8 comments

“Or perhaps some sources to study Q-mech on your own. That you guys could recommend......? Please and thank you.”

u/DueGoose: “Are you asking about a specific course?”

u/DueGoose: “So there is CHEM 356 which Marcel teaches. Decent course, easy to do well, nice prof but I have no idea what I learned from it.”

View on RedditRemove this

Spring 2019

good 300/400 level courses 6 points, 8 comments

“So i am looking for fair, and pretty laidback 300/400 level courses to take in the fall. I want to use the term bird, but people tend to not taking a post serious when you mention it. …”

u/sparklesmarkles: “If you have experience with differential equations, CHEM 356 is a fun time and Nooijen is a wonderful prof. If not, CHEM 302?”

View on RedditRemove this

Spring 2018

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar