Symmetry & Stereochemistry Course | Prof. Angshuman Roy Choudhury | IISER Mohali
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 20 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| 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 | 18 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Symmetry, Stereochemistry and Applications: A Comprehensive Course Guide
Welcome to an in-depth exploration of one of the most visually and conceptually fascinating areas of chemistry. The course Symmetry, Stereochemistry and Applications, offered by the distinguished Prof. Angshuman Roy Choudhury of IISER Mohali, serves as a critical bridge between understanding molecular structure and predicting chemical behavior. This 12-week undergraduate journey is meticulously designed to equip students with the tools to visualize molecules in three dimensions and comprehend how their spatial arrangement dictates function, reactivity, and application.
About the Course
This course illuminates the fundamental principles and wide-ranging applications of molecular symmetry and stereochemistry. Students will learn to identify symmetry elements and operations in organic molecules, determine point groups, and distinguish between conformation and configuration. A significant focus is placed on developing the skill to visualize molecules in 3D, a crucial ability for any aspiring chemist. The latter part of the course delves into pivotal organic reactions where stereochemistry is not just a detail but the defining factor, connecting theory directly to real-world chemical processes.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Angshuman Roy Choudhury
The course is led by Prof. Angshuman Roy Choudhury, an accomplished scientist and educator with a robust background in structural chemistry.
- Education: Ph.D. in Small Molecule X-ray Crystallography from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (2005).
- Post-Doctoral Research: University of Liverpool, UK (2004-2007).
- Academic Journey: Began as an Assistant Professor at BITS, Pilani, before joining IISER Mohali in December 2009.
- Expertise & Contributions: With over 100 publications in international journals, Prof. Choudhury has guided multiple PhD and Masters students, bringing a wealth of research and teaching experience directly to the classroom.
Who Should Enroll?
- Intended Audience: Primarily 1st and 2nd-year B.Sc. students with Chemistry as a subject.
- Prerequisites: A foundational science background at the 10+2 level.
- Industry Relevance: The knowledge gained is directly applicable in the R&D sectors of the Chemical and Pharmaceutical industries, where controlling molecular shape is key to developing new drugs, materials, and agrochemicals.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction, IUPAC nomenclature, Conformation vs. Configuration, Molecular symmetry elements. |
| Week 2 | Molecular point groups, Conformational analysis of alkanes, Newman and Saw-horse projections. |
| Week 3 | Conformation of cyclic molecules: cyclohexane, substituted cyclohexanes, decalins. |
| Week 4 | Stereoisomerism, topicity, Enantiomers & Diastereomers, asymmetry, Fisher Projections. |
| Week 5 | Optical isomerism, CD & ORD, racemization, D/L & R/S nomenclature, meso-compounds. |
| Week 6 | Pseudoasymmetry, Stereochemistry of Allenes & Biphenyls, Geometrical (E/Z) isomerism. |
| Week 7 | Diastereoisomerism in cyclic systems and compounds with C=O, C=N bonds. |
| Week 8 | Applications: Stereoselectivity, Stereospecificity, Regioselectivity, Chemoselectivity, reaction kinetics. |
| Week 9 | Stereochemistry of SN1, SN2, E1, E2 reactions and reactions of cyclohexane derivatives. |
| Week 10 | Stereochemistry in Cycloadditions (Diels-Alder), Hydroboration, Aldol, and Wittig reactions. |
| Week 11 | Stereochemistry of Molecular Rearrangements (Pinacol, Beckmann, Cope, Claisen, etc.). |
| Week 12 | Introduction to Crystallographic Symmetry: 1D/2D/3D symmetry, space groups, 32 point groups, Bravais lattices. |
Recommended Textbooks & Resources
To fully benefit from this course, students are encouraged to refer to these authoritative texts:
- Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds by D. Nasipuri (3rd Ed., New Age International).
- Basic Stereochemistry of Organic Molecules (2nd Ed., Book Syndicate).
- Guidebook to Mechanism in Organic Chemistry by Peter Sykes (6th Ed., Pearson).
- Basic Organic Stereochemistry by Eliel, Wilen, & Doyle (Wiley Interscience).
Why This Course Matters
Understanding symmetry and stereochemistry is not merely an academic exercise. It is the language of molecular recognition—explaining why one drug is effective and another is not, why a catalyst works with incredible efficiency, and how nature builds complex molecules with exquisite precision. This course, with its blend of fundamental theory and applied reaction chemistry, provides the essential toolkit for anyone looking to pursue advanced studies or a career in chemistry, pharmacology, materials science, or any field where molecules matter.
By the end of these 12 weeks, students will not only be able to assign R/S configurations or predict the number of stereoisomers but will also appreciate the profound impact of molecular shape on the physical and chemical world around us.
Enroll Now →