CHEM 357Physical Biochemistry
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Chemistry
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
The use of diffusion, ultracentrifugation, osmotic pressure, electrophoresis and X-ray diffraction to study the properties of biopolymers. Hyperbolic and allosteric enzyme kinetics, inhibition, and regulation. Some spectroscopies important to the life sciences.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- MATH128 - Calculus 2 for the Sciences (0.50)
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Complete 1 of the following
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6663 | 0 / 45 | MWF 11:30–12:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2495 | 39 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
52% liked it72% easy87% useful
From 23 ratings and 11 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This course was really interesting and straightforward if you're familiar with basic calculus, rate laws, and common experimental biochem techniques. However, be prepared to memorize the steps of derivations, which can get quite lengthy (1-3 pages long). The actual math was never difficult and mostly just algebra with maybe 1 or 2 steps that require basic calculus.
May 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I've heard that with some professors in the past this has been a bird course, with Meiering this is not so. However, this is not a criticism, this has been probably my favourite course I've had at uWaterloo. It definitely is a challenging course, with a lot of math involved (at least with Meiering teaching), but everything you learn is incredibly interesting and really useful for biochemistry. Highly recommend, but don't go into this course expecting something easy.
Apr 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Whoever rated this class well screwed me this term. The prof started by being like "you guys remember calc 2 so I'm going to continue from there"
Whenever something new is taught that we need to know how to calculate, she literally just writes "Try it!". There is no actual teaching done in this class, and you're expected to figure everything out yourself instead of being taught the material in the class.
Edit:
Coming back at the end of the term to add to this. The entire course was hell on earth. I'm still struggling to understand the questions that say 'try it'. There is such a large amount of things to learn in this course that the assignments are wildly different from the midterms. The…Feb 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Lovely course taught by a lovely prof. Unfortunately I only just started getting my health in order two weeks before the exam, so I can't speak to the entirety of the course because I feel now that I missed a lot of it. However, as someone who has had trouble with understanding a lot of biochemistry concepts(funny and a little pathetic for a third year student really), I must say taking this course did wonders at clarifying and reinforcing my understanding of (specifically for me) rates, enzyme kinetics, and applied math. Things I was having trouble retaining before.
The material itself is fairly heavy in derivations and digs deeper at the mechanisms behind a lot of experimental concepts…May 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
The material is pretty useful to understand some core concepts about reaction mechanisms and experimental techniques. It was a little math heavy, so it could be easy or difficult depending on how comfortable you are with that stuff.
I took the course with Elizabeth Meiering online, and her lecture videos were pretty clear and comprehensive, but they could be a little dry.Apr 2021 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
14 posts and comments in 13 threads mention CHEM 357, 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.
Winter 2022
How much harder do these courses get? 7 points, 7 comments
u/p7171help: “… Biol 331 Chem 212 Chem 357 Chem 265L Chem 233L Chem 224L”
Winter 2021
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: “… CHEM 357 (Physical Biochemistry): If you want to build-up your biochem background or if you are pursuing a minor in biochem. Possible 400-level electives: These rotate constantly, so some options will not be available to you. …”
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? …”
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/_Saraha_: “Not easy. For someone who did AP chem I might recommend Chem 212, or chem 125. And Mikkelsen is easily the worst science prof on the face of the earth.”
u/EvolveThruEvil: “Unfortunately, CHEM 212 or 125 doesn't create a prereq chain of 3, my options are CHEM 220, CHEM 254, CHEM 264, or CHEM 357. I am a mostly maths kinda guy, and hate memorization, so that might rule out organic and biochem, would you say CHEM 254 is easier? …”
Spring 2020
BIOL 335L VS CHEM 335L 1 point, 6 comments
“I'm looking to do one or the other but don't know which lab is more useful for jobs in the pharmaceutical industry. Any insight would be helpful! FYI, I am a medicinal chemistry student.”
u/boyidgaf: “Take both if you can, but Chem 335L might be a bit more relevant.”
u/RonaSeason123: “I have to fit Chem 357 into my schedule to take Chem 335L. If I can only take Biol 335L would that still be good tho? If not then I can squeeze Chem 335L.”
u/boyidgaf: “Chem 357 wasn't too bad in terms of content, most people found it on the easier side so u could squeeze both in but bio on its own will still be a good option and you'll learn many very relevant lab techniques in it too!”
Winter 2020
Chemistry 3 points, 16 comments
“I know this might be a kinda stupid question but regarding the various chemistry programs at waterloo can't someone who majored in biochem get the same jobs as someone in medicinal chem and someone …”
u/TrimethylsilylEther: “… job if you haven't done the relevant courses that biochemists are required to take (CHEM 357, 335L and BIOL 309).”
Spring 2018
Chem 233 and Chem 357 1 point, 2 comments
u/sdser: “How are chem 233 and chem 357?”
Winter 2018
<-- NUMBER OF CHEM 357 STUDENTS REE-ING 3 points, 1 comment
Fall 2016
has anyone taken chem 357? 2 points, 2 comments
u/nexus_tesla: “would you recommend this course and how was it?”
Fall 2015
Help choosing a "bird course" In chem Please 2 points, 31 comments
“I have taken 4 chems so far. In scibus spc. Biotechnology. I guess I kinnda just want a break :/ Anyone know a chem (200-400 level) that is somewhat easier than the rest :$ …”
u/honourousjorg: “Not an answer to your question, but could anybody comment on how necessary math 128 is for chem 357. I am not sure I'd be able to, but I'd like to try to get into the course without it”
Fall 2012
What courses are you taking next semester? 10 points, 107 comments
“Now that exams are finally over, we can starting thinking about the Winter 2013 semester. What courses will you be taking? Any that you're anticipating and/or dreading?”
u/FourtyTwoo: “BIOL 331/L: Advanced Cell Biology CHEM 357 - Physical Biochemistry CHEM 360/L - Organic Chemistry 3 and Senior Organic Chem Lab CHEM 381 - Medicinal and Bioorganic Chem STAT 202 - Intro Stats for Scientists 381: Apparently really hard. Worried about this one.”
Winter 2012
Have you taken PHYS 380? 8 points, 1 comment
“I'm taking it DE, how are the assignments and the final?”
u/NeRG: “Assignments could be better explained, but overall pretty easy. I had no qualm over the final. If you have a Biochem background a lot of it is a rehash of Chem 233/237 and 357.”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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