CHEM 400Special Topics in Chemistry
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Chemistry
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 12 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
A selection of current and advanced topics of interests in many areas of chemistry. For a list of offerings see the academic advisor or check the Chemistry website, program electives page.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 3A or higher
- Complete 1 of the following
- Enrolled in H-Biochemistry, H-Biochemistry - Biotechnology Specialization, H-Chemistry, JH-Chemistry, H-Chemistry - Computational Specialization, H-Materials & Nanosciences, or H-Medicinal Chemistry
- Enrolled in Chemical Physics
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7253 | 15 / 70 | MWF 09:30–10:20 |
| LEC 002 | 7252 | 13 / 70 | MWF 12:30–13:20 |
| LEC 003 | 7254 | 20 / 40 | TTh 11:30–12:50 |
| LEC 004 | 7400 | 9 / 40 | MWF 13:30–14:20 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6887 | 0 / 50 | TTh 13:00–14:20 |
| LEC 002 | 6888 | 0 / 50 | TTh 08:30–09:50 |
| LEC 003 | 6889 | 0 / 40 | W 10:00–11:20 F 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 004 | 6893 | 0 / 40 | MWF 13:30–14:20 |
| LEC 005 | 6956 | 0 / 20 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 006 | 7570 | 0 / 50 | MWF 11:30–12:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2586 | 26 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 702 | 2587 | 20 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 703 | 2588 | 14 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 704 | 2589 | 10 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 705 | 2605 | 11 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 706 | 8007 | 45 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
100% liked it25% easy100% useful
From 6 ratings on UW Flow. Read them all on UW Flow.
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
29 posts and comments in 24 threads mention CHEM 400, October 2017 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 2024
CHEM 400 in W25 1 point, 0 comments
u/Patient-Election5738: “I'm wondering if anyone who has taken 400 chemistry courses could share your experience. In W25, optional courses include: Molclr Sens/Img/Spect/Nanodiag, Quantum Mechanics in Chem, Green Chemistry for Chem Synth, and, Supramolecular Chemistry. …”
Can I do Orgo after CHEM 266/267 1 point, 2 comments
u/Salmon102003: “… I really love doing Orgo CHEM, and was wondering if with my background I could take courses such as CHEM 360 (Orgo 3) and CHEM 400 for organic chemistry ?”
u/DwarvesInATrenchcoat: “… In terms of Chem 400s, you are required to be in at least your 3a term (3rd year) of a chemistry specific degree and it’s often recommended to take the lower level courses first. …”
u/TheRealDrMurph: “… If you want to take specialized Chem400 organic courses, these may have pre-reqs like Chem360, which can't be bypassed. …”
Program Electives 3 points, 0 comments
u/Luvvul1234: “… CHEM 404 - Physicochemical Aspects of Natural Waters CHEM 400 - Miniaturization and Nanoscience/Nanotechnology to Artificial Intelligence in Analytical Chemistry CHEM 481 - Rational Drug Design CHEM 432 - Metabolism 2 Do they involve a lot of orgo? …”
400 Orgo with Fillion 1 point, 0 comments
u/Salmon102003: “… I got a 78 for Orgo 3, and I’ve done Physical organic another CHEM 400 (but got a 60)”
Spring 2023
CHEM 400 profs 2 points, 0 comments
u/needsmoremaplesyrup: “Does anyone know which profs are teaching electrochemistry or analytic seperation in the fall term? I only need to take a program elective to graduate and they seem interesting.”
Winter 2022
chem 400 polymers final 3 points, 1 comment
u/erlenmyrflask: “i made a mistake of not joining the fb group so i'm here instead but did anyone else feel like that was an awful exam or am i just stupid”
Chem400 electrochem 1 point, 0 comments
u/elephantsfly1: “Anyone taking chem400 electrochem this term wanna study together? Content's hella tough n i'm struggling so i'd love to study w someone/ppl to keep up w the course”
CHEM 400: Analytical separations 0 points, 0 comments
u/Nice_Raccoon_4753: “How are the midterms for this course? they going to be in person.”
Fall 2021
CHEM400 prof def on some strong mushrooms 1 point, 0 comments
Spring 2021
Chem 481 or chem 404? 1 point, 7 comments
“for anyone who has taken 400 level chemistry courses, which ones were more manageable? I was considering taking chem 404 but after I heard a lot of people found it hard I’m thinking about chem 418 …”
u/RedCattles: “Have you looked at the 400 special topics? Lots more options there too”
u/sarahpharaon: “Yeah I’ve looked at all of them and and the only ones I have the prerequisites for that I’m interested in are chem 464, chem 432, and chem 400. I’m planning to take all of them but I need one more.”
Any 400 Level Elective Recommendations? 7 points, 11 comments
“Hey I'm planning out my future courses, and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions about any 400 level elective that is easy. I'm interested in music and history but if it is easy I'll take it. …”
u/RedCattles: “I found CHEM 400 ultrafast spec is an easier science elective because of the evaluation setup. It’s all online assignments/exam with multiple attempts.”
CHEM 300 and 400 Courses 0 points, 2 comments
u/Nice_Raccoon_4753: “Can anyone recommend some chem 300 and 400s levels that they enjoyed taking?”
u/Thefanciestnoodle: “Chem 340 and Chem 400 (computational chemistry) were fun ones.”
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