uwloo

PHYS 121LMechanics Laboratory

Units
0.25
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 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

For students who have taken or are taking PHYS 121.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Corequisites

  • Completed or concurrently enrolled in:

Antirequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • Not completed 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
LAB 001701649 / 75M 12:30–14:20
LAB 002701731 / 75M 15:30–17:20
LAB 003701857 / 75W 12:30–14:20
LAB 004701962 / 75W 15:30–17:20
LAB 005714245 / 75F 12:30–14:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

32% liked it48% easy38% useful

From 135 ratings and 25 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • I did not enjoy this course, it was not useful and the information that we learned was not taught well. I felt like I was doing the prelab and postlab by guessing and then seeing what I got right. My TA was an absolute dawg, I mess with that guy heavy and he was very helpful. The exam was super easy, lowkey free marks ngl.

    Jan 2026 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The content you learn in the course isn't very difficult or complex, but the labs themselves are ridiculously stressful for how boring the actual task is. You learn some basic statistics, Excel skills, and experimental techniques. Unfortunately, each lab is 10-20 minutes of the TAs re-explaining the pre-lab followed by an extreme time crunch to get the tedious lab work done all so that you can submit shitty lab notes.
    My only advice would be: DO THE PRE-LABS and save your work so that you don't waste anybody's time. And have a lab notes template ready to fill stuff in. Not worth putting any real effort into this course, just don't fail.

    Oct 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • I love physics. I love the lectures. I love when it doesn't make sense at first and I have a challenge, but this lab is the most horrendous, bastardization of what could have been an amazing course.
    MAJOR ISSUES: The labs are not coordinated with the lecture so the topics covered in the lab may be confusing. You may not understand what you are doing or why you are doing it.
    The lab manual is so horribly written that I actually started laugh while reading it. There are no diagrams or explanations of ho the apparatuses work and the manual seems to expect students to understand what these uncommon things are!
    TIPS: You want to survive and maybe even thrive? Find out (from Content in LEARN)…

    Oct 2018 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The experiments were way too long for the time available but the TA seemed to account this when marking the reports.

    Nov 2012 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This lab is to teach you to prepare. In order to complete the lab on time, one must fully understand it and have every table and graph prepared.

    Nov 2012 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

28 posts and comments in 25 threads mention PHYS 121L, February 2012 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

thoughts on workload 4 points, 1 comment

u/goose-ctrl: “would this workload be manageable on top of coop search as 3rd year cs? planning to take them in fall CS 341 Algorithms CS 350 Operating Systems CS 370 Numerical Computation CS 492 The Social Implications of Computing ECON 424 Machine Learning in Economics PHYS 121L Mechanics Lab”

View on RedditRemove this

Spring 2023

Do these courses look right? 3 points, 4 comments

“Hello everyone, incoming first-year student here that's a little confused with the course selections. I've been enrolled in Honours physical sciences (physics and astronomy) and all of the classes …”

u/cryptotope: “… The associated labs (PHYS 121L and CHEM 120L), which are 3-hour labs every other week (IIRC). The PHYS 10 seminar series which isn't actually for any credit and isn't mandatory attendance. …”

View on RedditRemove this

Fall 2022

Fall 2021

Winter 2021

Admissions / High School Megathread (Fall 2020) 316 points, 7,386 comments

“I think we lost track of the old one somewhere, and this is to also help reset the expiry date (these threads archive after six months) Engineering Admissions Blog: https://theroadtoengineering.com/ …”

u/LPNZR: “Math labs? What are they ?? Hey everyone I will be studying mathematical physics at the University of Waterloo, but I wanted to know what labs are in mathematics courses?”

u/Laeriana: “… least a few), labs are usually separate courses (denoted with an "L" in the course code, eg PHYS 121L and PHYS 122L) that involves direct experimentation time in a science laboratory proper testing concepts from the corresponding class in a practical manner. …”

View on RedditRemove this

Spring 2020

Spring 2019

How to enroll in different class 2 points, 4 comments

u/cathmck: “During the course selection period for new students, I had enrolled in PHYS 121 and PHYS 121L, however now looking at my class schedule I’m enrolled in PHYS121 and PHYS111L, and I checked the PHYS121L classes and they’re all full. …”

u/StarryHeaven101: “Normally you use the swap function and switch PHYS111L for PHYS121L. But since the latter is full. you'll have to wait until a spot opens up during add/drop period and then do the swap. …”

View on RedditRemove this

First year course selection (I need help ASAP) 0 points, 4 comments

u/56ve74ev: “… There are 3 options (PHYS 111 and 111L - Physics 1, PHYS 121 and 121L, PHYS 121 and 131L). PHYS 111 and 111L - Physics 1 is already listed as one of my preselected courses. The other two courses are related to physical sciences. What should I do? …”

u/VerifiedPost: “… You need to take one of: - PHYS 111 and PHYS 111L - PHYS 121 and PHYS 121L - PHYS 121 and PHYS 131L You're already selected to be enrolled in: - PHYS 111 and PHYS 111L The difference in the three options is how advanced they are, but I wouldn't worry because you're clearly in …”

View on RedditRemove this

Fall 2018

Phys 121L rant 7 points, 8 comments

u/Reeanaistic: “How did you guys do in the Phys 121 Lab in your years? It's not necessarily hard, but it's a lot of work and I almost never end up completing it. I always have important classes during the Open Lab sessions which is why I can never attend it. …”

View on RedditRemove this

Spring 2018

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar