Principles of Chemical Science
MIT OpenCourseWare's freshman-level introduction to chemistry covers atomic and molecular electronic structure, thermodynamics, acid-base and redox equilibria, chemical kinetics, and catalysis. The course builds a unified picture of how electronic structure determines molecular shape and the physical and chemical behavior of gases, liquids, and solids, extending up to macromolecules like polymers and DNA. It draws connections to biology, physics, environmental science, atmospheric chemistry, and electronic devices, showing chemistry as a bridge between fields rather than an isolated subject. One year of high school chemistry is the expected background. Materials include lecture notes, problem sets, and exams as published by MIT OpenCourseWare, free to access with no certificate offered. The course suits students who want a rigorous grounding in physical and inorganic chemistry before moving into organic chemistry or biochemistry.