Outline (Fall 2026)

The course syllabus below is a general outline of the course’s content but is subject to small changes depending on student’s interest and pace.

Week	Date	#	Topic	Homework Due
1	Thu, 09/10	01	Introduction and history of thermodynamics
2	Tue, 09/15	02	Basic concepts
2	Thu, 09/17	03	First law of thermodynamics
3	Tue, 09/22	04	Second law of thermodynamics (I)	HW 1
3	Thu, 09/24		Prof. Peter is traveling (no class)
4	Tue, 09/29	05	Second law of thermodynamics (II)	HW 2
4	Thu, 10/01	06	Fundamental thermodynamic relations
5	Tue, 10/06	07	Statistical thermodynamics and heat capacity	HW 3
5	Thu, 10/08	08	The third law of thermodynamics
6	Tue, 10/13	09	Phase equilibrium: One-component systems (I)	HW 4
6	Thu, 10/15	10	Review session for mid-term exam 1
7	Tue, 10/20		Mid-term exam 1 (in-class)
7	Thu, 10/22	11	Phase equilibrium: One-component systems (II)
8	Tue, 10/27	12	Thermodynamics of pure substances	HW 5
8	Thu, 10/29	13	Thermodynamics of solutions (I)
9	Tue, 11/03	14	Thermodynamics of solutions (II)
9	Thu, 11/05	15	Thermodynamics of solutions (III)
10	Tue, 11/10	16	Phase equilibrium: Binary systems (I)	HW 6
10	Thu, 11/12	17	Phase equilibrium: Binary systems (II)
11	Tue, 11/17	18	Review session for mid-term exam 2	HW 7
11	Thu, 11/19		Mid-term exam 2 (in-class)
12	Tue, 11/24	19	Advanced topic
12	Thu, 11/26		Thanksgiving recess (no class)
13	Tue, 12/01	20	Advanced topic	HW 8
13	Thu, 12/03		Final project presentations (in-class)
14	Tue, 12/08		Final project presentations (in-class)
14	Thu, 12/10		Final project presentations (in-class)

Advanced Topics: Ternary Phase diagrams, predominance phase diagrams, electrochemistry, statistical thermodynamics & molecular dynamics, phase transformations, condensed - gaseous phase reactions,…