uwloo

PHYS 111Physics 1

Units
0.50
Faculty
Science
Subject
Physics

When it runs

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

Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 6 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

An introduction to physics for students intending to concentrate their further studies in biology, dentistry, medicine and paramedicine; includes particle kinematics and dynamics, energy and momentum conservation, and rotational mechanics.

Prerequisites

None listed.

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 0016999180 / 250MW 13:00–14:20
LEC 0027000133 / 200MW 10:00–11:20
TUT 101736094 / 112M 15:30–16:20
TUT 102736974 / 112F 09:30–10:20
TUT 103736179 / 113F 13:30–14:20
TUT 104736866 / 113Th 10:30–11:20

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00168210 / 335MWF 13:30–14:20
LEC 00269760 / 335MWF 11:30–12:20
LEC 00373860 / 335MWF 12:30–13:20
LEC 08169180 / 150Online or by arrangement
LEC 7012553817 / 9999Online or by arrangement
LEC 702256234 / 9999Online or by arrangement
TUT 20169590 / 145T 17:30–18:50
TUT 20269600 / 145T 17:30–18:50
TUT 20369610 / 145T 17:30–18:50
TUT 20469620 / 145T 17:30–18:50
TUT 20569630 / 145T 13:00–14:20
TUT 20673880 / 145T 10:00–11:20
TUT 20773890 / 135T 11:30–12:50
TST 10169010 / 1005Feb 11 18:00–19:50
Mar 18 18:00–19:50

Reviewed on UW Flow

39% liked it43% easy56% useful

From 564 ratings and 123 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • If you didn't take physics in highschool goodluck! This is the worst organized first year course. You sit in an 80 minute lecture twice a week and do random iclickers the entire class. We basically never went over how to solve problems just how to draw them??? The tutorials were almost worse, left each one more confused than before. If you can do online do it, there is almost no tools to help on learn so watch youtube videos or anything.

    Dec 2023 · didn’t like it · 6 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Taught by Reza Karimi
    This class was just bad. I hate myself for not choosing online.
    Required to attend class, even though no content was being covered. Instead of solving word problems in a clear manner, a bunch of theory was thrown at us. I don't recall a word problem being solved. If it was, there was so much USELESS theory. For example, a simple forces problem took 30 min from the class because he spent over 20 min drawing arrows, and re-explaining what a normal force is. Then, he would draw more arrows because he would get distracted and start talking about a second concept. So, solution is always to try and pay attention but look at a youtube solution right after class.
    There were…

    Nov 2023 · didn’t like it · 6 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • I had Robert Hill for this class, and it is safe to say that he gets paid to teach us nothing. The whole class is used up for iClicker questions, and we rarely ever do word problems (which are the majority of marks on tests). The class average for one of the tests was just above a 50%, so that says a lot about the course and his teaching. If you do not have to take this class, DO NOT.

    Nov 2025 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Awful course and pretty awful instructors. Group work was useless and frustrating, the quizzes were absurdly difficult for no reason, and now I start hyper ventilating every time I enter M3 1006

    Dec 2023 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • you basically need some sort of a hs background to do well in this course, despite it being an introductory one. Personally did not like the way my prof taught, but rob hills videos on how to solve the worksheets were a life saver. Group assignments were the only way I was boosting my grade, make sure you do all of the worksheets and hw because the next weeks content will build onto the week before.

    Dec 2023 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

512 posts and comments in 367 threads mention PHYS 111, June 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

Any current CS upper years who took CS115? 3 points, 6 comments

“Currently in CS135 with minimal prior programming experience. Been doing well in assignments (90s) but they take me way too long and I get way too much help from office hours, which fulfills one of …”

u/lolmastr13: “This is probably a question for your academic advisor. How many other courses are you taking and how well are you doing in them? And what’s your expectations in those courses? …”

u/jxded14: “Math 135, Math 137, Chem 120, Phys 111. Expecting an 85+ for both maths, and 90+ for both sciences. I’m in coop and don’t necessarily care what job I get, maybe a test dev”

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MATH145 with Jason Bell 3 points, 3 comments

u/get_in_the_bin_: “… My current course load is MATH135+137, CS135, CHEM120 and Phys111. I’m worried that the advanced section of 135 would take up too much of my time. Secondly, I just wanted to know how big the curve was, and previous class medians/averages. …”

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Spring 2024

How hard is Phys111? 3 points, 10 comments

u/get_in_the_bin_: “How hard is Phys111? For context I’ve taken IB Physics HL in high school. Is it hard to get a 90+ even with prior experience? Schedule: CS135 MAT135 MAT137 CHEM120 PHYS111”

u/nanofatty22: “You might even wanna consider upgrading to 121 I remember 111 was way too brain dead for me”

u/get_in_the_bin_: “Planning on taking Phys111 in 1A and Phys112 in 1B”

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PHYS111 Online Final 2 points, 3 comments

u/Kassaking777: “Currently planning my last few courses, need an online course during Winter 2025. Just wonder if the final exam for PHYS111 Online section is still online through Crowdmark or in-person final exam..”

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Admission / High School Megathread (Fall 2024) 24 points, 20 comments

“This megathread is for prospective frosh and current high school students interested in Waterloo. Ask your questions here. …”

u/Superb_Expert_6720: “(QUESTION ABT CALC AND PHYSICS FOR HEALTH AND LIFE SCI) hi everyone! Im a current grade 11 looking to apply to waterloo health sci and life sci and I was wondering, do I need foundations in grade 12 …”

u/vimeomaster54: “… i was in life sci and i didn't even do g11 physics, but phys 111 and 112 were both fine. start of phys 111 might be a bit tough to keep up with, but they don't expect you to know anything. …”

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Phys 111 2 points, 6 comments

u/get_in_the_bin_: “I’m an incoming freshman in CS who picked Phys111 as their non-math elective. In high school I’ve done IB Higher Level Physics and have been a high 6/low 7 (high A/low A+) student, so I have some experience. …”

u/Intelligent-Show-815: “If I'm not mistaken u can trade hl physics for a Phys111 credit”

u/NQ241: “You do not get transfer credit for phys111”

u/Kuais: “It should be enough to get a 90 in phys111. Mostly its just group work, so just do well on those and you will be good.”

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1A course recommendations and Co-Op 1 point, 12 comments

“I am an incoming math students and would like to know what you recommend for 1A. I am leaning towards MATH 135, MATH 136, CS 135 and still deciding my communication and non-math elective. …”

u/Icy_Environment9241: “- Take math137 instead of 136. Math135 is a pre requisite for 136, so you won’t be allowed to take 136 in 1A. - take whichever communication class seems most interesting. …”

u/Icy_Environment9241: “… Having said that, it might be best to take a more common first year elective (phys111 or phys121, for example) just so it’s a bit easier to meet other first years. …”

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CS students, what courses have you taken each term 9 points, 21 comments

“Inspired by https://www.reddit.com/r/uwaterloo/comments/v3b8nj/can\any\current\mathcs\students\let\me\know\their/ but recognizing that one term is a very narrow view, What courses have you taken each …”

u/haerutea: “1A: cs135, math135, math137, spcom100, phys111 1B: cs136, math136, math128, phys112, korea101r, econ101 2A: cs245, cs246, stats230, spcpm223, korea102r 2B: cs240, cs241, cs251, math239, stats231”

u/hotassflamingo: “hi! im starting 1A this fall, and my courses are similar to what took in 1A. I am a little confused between taking sci 206/phys 111/phys 121 as an elective..any tips?”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar