Physical Chemistry for Undergraduates | 12-Week Course by IIT Prof. Sandip Paul
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 143 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Chemistry |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 24 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlocking the Molecular World: Your Guide to Physical Chemistry for Undergraduates
Physical Chemistry forms the crucial bridge between the macroscopic world we observe and the molecular interactions that govern it. For undergraduate students in science and engineering, mastering its principles is not just an academic requirement but a foundational skill for innovation. This detailed guide explores a comprehensive 12-week course designed by a leading expert from IIT Guwahati to build that very foundation.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Sandip Paul of IIT Guwahati
Learning from an expert shapes understanding. This course is developed and presented by Prof. Sandip Paul, a distinguished professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati.
Prof. Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table:
- Educational Pedigree: He earned his PhD in Computational Chemistry from IIT Kanpur.
- Global Research Experience: He conducted postdoctoral research with renowned scientists like Prof. Gren Patey at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and Prof. Max Berkowitz at the University of North Carolina, USA.
- Teaching & Research Expertise: His broad area of interest is statistical mechanics and its applications to chemistry and biology. His specific research focuses on understanding how osmolytes affect protein conformation and using hydrotropes to enhance drug solubility.
- Proven Scholarship: With over 120 published research papers, Prof. Paul is an active contributor to the scientific community, ensuring the course content is both rigorous and current.
Course Overview: Building a Molecular Perspective
This 12-week course is meticulously structured to introduce undergraduate students to the molecular-level approach for understanding physical processes. The primary objective is to move beyond rote learning and foster a deep, intuitive grasp of how matter behaves at its core.
Intended Audience: Undergraduate students across all Engineering and Science branches (Chemical, Biotechnology, Physics, etc.).
Industry Relevance: The concepts taught are directly applicable in industries like Petrochemicals and Pharmaceuticals, where understanding reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry is vital for process design and drug development.
Week-by-Week Course Layout: A Journey from Atoms to Solids
Here is a detailed breakdown of the 12-week curriculum, designed to take you from fundamental quantum concepts to complex states of matter.
| Week | Core Topic | Key Concepts Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Atomic Theory & Mole Concept | Planck’s quantum theory, atomic spectra, Bohr’s & Sommerfield's theories, Uncertainty principle, Pauli’s principle, Schrodinger equation, molarity, molality, mole fraction. |
| Week 2 | The Gaseous State | Gas laws, Kinetic Theory, Maxwell’s Distribution, collisions, ideal vs. real gases, intermolecular forces. |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Thermodynamics | Heat, work, internal energy, 1st & 2nd laws, entropy, enthalpy, Gibbs & Helmholtz Free Energy, spontaneity. |
| Week 5 | Chemical Kinetics | Reaction order, rate laws, Arrhenius equation, collision theory, transition state theory, chain reactions. |
| Week 6 | Chemical Equilibrium | Law of mass action, equilibrium constants, reaction isotherm, Le Chatelier’s Principle. |
| Week 7 | Phase Equilibria | Phase rule, phase diagrams for one, two, and three-component systems, eutectic points. |
| Week 8 | Dilute Solutions | Raoult’s & Henry’s law, colligative properties (BP elevation, FP depression, osmosis), molecular weight determination. |
| Week 9 | Ionic Equilibrium | Solubility products, acids & bases, pH, hydrolysis of salts. |
| Week 10 | Electrochemical Cells | Galvanic cells, EMF, Nernst equation, standard electrode potentials, concentration cells, potentiometry. |
| Week 11 | The Colloidal State | Types of colloids, preparation, properties (electrophoresis, zeta potential), stability, macromolecules. |
| Week 12 | The Solid State | Crystallography, crystal packing, lattice energy (Born-Haber Cycle), radius ratio rules, heat capacity. |
Essential Reference Books for Your Studies
To complement the lectures and gain deeper insights, students are encouraged to refer to these classic and authoritative textbooks in Physical Chemistry:
- Physical Chemistry by P. W. Atkins
- Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach by D. A. McQuarrie and J. D. Simon
- Physical Chemistry by Silbey, Alberty, and Bawendi
Why This Course is a Must for Aspiring Scientists and Engineers
This course does more than just cover a syllabus. It builds a broader spectrum of skills by connecting theoretical principles to real-world phenomena. Whether you aim to design efficient chemical reactors, develop new materials, understand biological systems, or work in quality control, the tools of physical chemistry—thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum mechanics—are indispensable.
Under the guidance of Prof. Sandip Paul, students will not only learn the "what" and "how" but also appreciate the "why" behind the behavior of matter, setting a strong foundation for advanced studies and a successful career in technology and research.
Enroll Now →