CHEM 464Spectroscopy in Organic Chemistry
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Chemistry
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Elucidation and identification of organic structures by contemporary spectroscopic techniques.
Prerequisites
- Must have completed the following:
- CHEM265 - Organic Chemistry 2 (0.50)
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6998 | 34 / 60 | MWF 11:30–12:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
86% liked it13% easy88% useful
From 7 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This course is a masterpiece. Each unit slowly builds on top of the other unit in a way that just makes sense. All of the evaluations are fair, but can be very difficult. You will need to practice a lot, but if you put the time into practice, you will be rewarded.
Feb 2021 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Difficult course but fun to work on. This is the "puzzles" class.
Jan 2021 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This was a challenging course but if you practice you can do incredibly well. Dr. Murphy is one of, if not the best, professor I've ever had. He knows everyone's name by the second week, and expects a lot out of his students but he gives you all of the resources to succeed. The midterm took a lot of people by surprise, but the more you practice and move beyond mass spec, the better the course gets. The assignments are challenging, but worth doing yourself if you want to do well. Make sure to time yourself while doing them so that you're on track for the exam. I finished with a mid-70 after failing the midterm, but i had friends that finished in the 85+ range after getting 50% on the midterm.
Aug 2016 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
15 posts and comments in 13 threads mention CHEM 464, 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.
Spring 2024
Can I do Orgo after CHEM 266/267 1 point, 2 comments
“Hi there. I am in honours science, I just finished 266 and 267 which is basic organic chemistry 1 and 2. I got a 69 and 67 for them. …”
u/TheRealDrMurph: “… The same goes for other courses such as Chem464, which has Chem265 as a pre-req. So yes, you can, and while you need to recognize that it's going to be a bit of a challenge, it's one that many have done before. …”
Fall 2022
What kinds of questions are on the CHEM 464 Final? 2 points, 2 comments
u/JohnDixion: “The prof had mentioned 2 of the 5 questions being the full scale unknowns, but the other 3 questions made it seem like the same as midterm material?”
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/xXxZenythxXx: “Chem 464 is tough, but it is one of the most fun courses in the upper level. It may be hard, but it is really rewarding.”
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.”
Winter 2021
One more year to graduate - suggestions for courses to take? 5 points, 10 comments
“I'm a Chem student that's taken like, 99% of the courses I need to graduate. Next Fall/Winter I'm planning to take it relatively easy before I graduate, and will be doing my 494's, as well as 313L - …”
u/ferretsangle: “Hii!! Do you already have your Chem requirements? These chem courses are really easy, enjoyable, and I would take as an elective regardless of your chem credits. …”
u/ferretsangle: “… My last year looked like this: Fall 2020 \- Chem 464 - Spectroscopy \- Chem 323 - analytical 3 \- Stat 202 - stats for scientists \- Actsc 221 - intro financial management \- 494A Winter: \- Psych 212 - educational psychology \- Chem 400 (VK) - nanotechnology and analytical \- …”
Fall 2020
Was there a class in UW that you took and you were sad that it was over? 11 points, 35 comments
u/uwaterbottle: “CHEM 464 Such a fun class and prof, I would take it all over again if I could”
Spring 2020
Honors Sciences + Minor 0 points, 4 comments
u/TheEarlyGreat: “… I will study CHEM 209, 212, 220, 221, 240, 310, 313, 383, 360, 356, 323, 404 and 464. As well as 2 courses of biology and 5 electives. …”
Best CHEM Elective for 4A Biochem Online 1 point, 2 comments
u/sgangster: “… Topics in Biochemical Pharmacology CHEM 432: Metabolism 2 CHEM 400: Bioanalytical Chemistry CHEM 464 - Spectroscopy of Organic Chemistry (NMR) CHEM 323 - Analytical Instrumentation Mostly wondering who your prof was, how easy/difficult you found the course, and how interesting …”
u/leggomyeggouw: “… I must recommend you take chem 464 if you're going to grad school . Its a challenging course but you learn a lot and prepares you for grad school. You learn how to decipher organic compounds like a puzzle. …”
Winter 2020
What’s your favourite class that you’ve taken, and why? 29 points, 37 comments
u/kyarajack: “CHEM 464 Spectroscopy in Organic Chemistry. If you like puzzles, riddles, and problem solving, this course is it. Murphy is an absolutely awesome prof. You spend the whole term bashing your head against the wall yet loving every second of it. …”
Winter 2019
Easy electives 95+ recommendations please? 0 points, 5 comments
u/stranix13: “Chem212, 313, 464”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… 356 CHEM 363 CHEM 370 CHEM 382L CHEM 383 CHEM 392A CHEM 392B CHEM 400 CHEM 430 CHEM 432 CHEM 464 CHEM 494A CHEM 494B CHEM 495 CHEM 710 CHEM 712 CHEM 727 CHEM 731 CHEM 740 CHEM 750 CHEM 760 CHEM 770 CHEM 773 CHEM 794 CHINA 101R CHINA 102R CHINA 120R CHINA 200R CHINA 201R CHINA …”
Winter 2017
Best Biochem electives 6 points, 7 comments
“Are there certain Group A and B electives for 3rd and 4th year biochem that are easy/interesting. Also, are there any that are extremely hard and should be avoided at all costs? Thanks”
u/asylum19: “… Biol 483 pretty easy, can do very well if you can get a good group for the group projects Chem 464 is challenging but if you want to work with NMR take this course Biol 431 and 432 pretty easy, but a good chuck of memorizing avoid Biol 308 unless you are very good at memorizing …”
Spring 2014
Whats the Hardest Course you have taken so far? What made it so hard? 11 points, 73 comments
“I'm in chem eng and the hardest one I've taken so far is CHE 200-Equilibrium Stage Operations. No textbook except for the University course notes and Prof was hard to understand. Ahh, how about you?”
u/TheRushian: “Chem 464: Organic spectroscopy. The prof described the course on the first day as sudoku puzzles on crack. He was a great prof.”
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