Advanced Chemical Thermodynamics & Kinetics Course | NPTEL IISER Mohali
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 44 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Chemistry |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Molecular World: A Deep Dive into Advanced Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics
Are you ready to move beyond the fundamentals and explore the sophisticated principles that govern chemical reactions and energy transformations? The National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) offers a comprehensive, advanced-level course titled "Advanced Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics", meticulously designed and delivered by Prof. Arijit Kumar De from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali. This 12-week journey is tailored for students seeking a profound understanding of physico-chemical phenomena.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Arijit Kumar De
Learning from an expert with a stellar academic and research background is invaluable. Prof. De brings a wealth of knowledge to this course:
- Academic Credentials: BSc (University of Calcutta), MSc (IIT Kanpur), PhD (IIT Kanpur).
- Postdoctoral Research: Conducted advanced research at the prestigious Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and University of California, Berkeley under the guidance of Prof. Graham R. Fleming.
- Current Role: Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Sciences at IISER Mohali since 2014.
His expertise in ultrafast spectroscopy and molecular dynamics ensures that the course content is both rigorous and informed by cutting-edge research.
Who Should Enroll in This Course?
This course is perfectly pitched for students who have a foundational understanding and are ready to tackle advanced concepts.
- Intended Audience:
- BSc/BS/Int-MSc 3rd Year
- BE/BTech/Int-MTech 2nd Year
- MSc/Int-PhD 1st/2nd Year
- PhD 1st Year
- Prerequisites: A basic course in thermodynamics and kinetics is preferred. If you need a refresher, consider the introductory NPTEL course: Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics.
Detailed 12-Week Course Curriculum
The course is structured to build your knowledge systematically, from macroscopic principles to molecular-level dynamics.
Weeks 1-5: Reinforcing Foundations and Introducing Advanced Macroscopic Concepts
- Week 1: Review of classical thermodynamics: Entropy, Gibbs free energy, phase & chemical equilibrium.
- Week 2: Molecular interactions: Dipole moments, polarization, and various intermolecular forces.
- Week 3: Transport phenomena: Deep dive into viscosity and diffusion (Fick's laws).
- Week 4: Review of chemical kinetics: Reaction mechanisms and kinetic measurements.
- Week 5: Advanced kinetics: Introduction to photochemistry, and kinetics in complex systems like combustion and atmospheric chemistry.
Weeks 6-12: Delving into Statistical Mechanics and Molecular Dynamics
- Week 6: Introduction to statistical thermodynamics: Partition functions and Boltzmann distribution.
- Week 7: Bimolecular reaction dynamics: Potential energy surfaces and Transition State Theory.
- Week 8: Unimolecular reactions: Lindemann-Christiansen model with an intro to Hinshelwood and RRK/RRKM theories.
- Week 9: Solution phase dynamics: Cage effect, diffusion-controlled reactions, and Marcus theory of electron transfer.
- Week 10: Non-ideal solutions and activity of ions (Debye-Hückel theory).
- Week 11: Electrochemistry: Electrode processes and ionic conductivity.
- Week 12: Hands-on Lab Demonstrations: A unique module illustrating key concepts through experiments like viscosity measurement, ester hydrolysis kinetics, photodegradation of dyes, and an introduction to femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy.
Essential Reference Books
To supplement your learning, the course recommends these classic textbooks, which are cornerstones of physical chemistry education worldwide.
| Book Title & Authors | Edition & Publisher |
|---|---|
| Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach by D. A. McQuarrie & J. D. Simon | 1st Ed, University Science Books (1997) |
| Physical Chemistry by P. W. Atkins & J. de Paula | 8th Ed, Oxford University Press (2006) |
| Physical Chemistry by I. N. Levine | 6th Ed, McGraw Hill Education (2011) |
Why Take This Advanced Course?
This course is more than just an academic requirement. It bridges the gap between textbook theory and real-world, molecular-level understanding. You will gain insights into how statistical mechanics predicts macroscopic behavior, how reactions truly occur at the transition state, and how solvents influence reaction rates. The inclusion of applied topics like atmospheric chemistry and electrochemistry, along with virtual lab demonstrations, makes the learning highly relevant and engaging.
Whether you aim for higher studies, research, or a career in chemical industries, R&D, or academia, mastering these advanced topics in chemical thermodynamics and kinetics will provide you with a significant competitive edge.
Ready to advance your knowledge? Enroll in this free NPTEL course and embark on a 12-week journey to master the principles that define the behavior of matter and energy at an advanced level.
Enroll Now →