The goal of the course was to familiarize the participants (PhDs, Master students and post-docs) entering the field of atmospheric in the fundamentals that are crucial for practicing atmospheric chemistry research. It is a refresher of the basics of thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and heterogeneous chemistry required to work in the areas of air quality, climate change, and ozone layer depletion. It aimed at the initial survey followed by building on the basics. The applications of these fundamentals were exemplified with current environmental issues. (A.R. Ravishankara/A. Mellouki)