This course traditionally starts by discussing the 1st law, definition of intensive and extensive parameters, different types of systems and definition of state functions as well as expressions of the thermodynamic variables in terms of partial derivatives. Examples are provided to make sense of the 1st law using both the ideal gas and single component solids. Following the 1st law, the 2nd law is introduced and its relation to the heat term, dQ in the 1st law is explained. Meaning of entropy is discussed along with different contributions to entropy in materials, namely vibrational entropy and configurational entropy. Reversibility and irreversibility of processes is explained. The 3rd law is then lectured where the absolute zero value of entropy at 0K can be used to compute entropy changes in a process with several steps. Following the 3rd law, coefficient and Maxwell relations are lectured and their connection to experimental measurables is provided. I put emphasis on Maxwell relations as these are the mathematical tools to connect somewhat abstract parameters to real experimental observables. Introduction of the thermodynamic potentials proceed Maxwell’s relations (Helmholtz energy, Gibbs energy) and their expression via the thermodynamic variables using Legendre Transform. Unary systems, binary non-reacting systems (solution thermodynamics) are lectured along with the derivation of the relations used for constructing the phase stability diagrams (unary and binary) of these systems. During this stage, the effect of mixing between components, important materials processes such as nucleation and growth of a new phase inside a matrix phase, precipitation and spinodal decomposition are discussed in the light of the free energy diagrams for various solution models. The maximum entropy and minimum energy principle are taught both in the qualitative and mathematical sense accompanied by several examples. If time avails, thermodynamic cycles are also lectured with examples such as Carnot cycle and its applications. Magnetocaloric and electrocaloric cooling is explained with emphasis placed on physical properties of materials for such applications. Students receive about 1 assignment every 2 weeks as well as a term project where they are expected to compute a binary phase diagram given the free energy of mixing between two components or the phase diagram of a single component system using experimental thermodynamic data available in literature (such as the phase diagram of water, SiO₂ and etc. using experimental heat capacity data of these systems) and compare their result to experimentally obtained diagrams. Another topic as a term project is to simulate the formation of a two phase from a single phase due to temperature change for a given set of phenomenological thermodynamic parameters in the Gibbs energy.