MEC 2101 Thermodynamics

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

The rationale for the thermofluids strand of the Bachelor of Engineering requires that students are provided with a thorough fundamental understanding of the nature, dynamics and thermodynamics of fluids. A number of practical applications are covered to provide familiarity and reinforce this fundamental understanding. Expertise in this strand is expected of mechanical engineers in practice. In addition a small number of applications are taken to full professional practice level to provide the necessary personal development and allow the student to establish a measure of self confidence. This course has an educational as well as a training purpose. In view of the applicability of thermofluids laws and principles to universal and biological processes this course should serve as a foundation for those taking the specific study further and provide a broader appreciation of the universe to those students who will subsequently specialise to a subset of thermofluids such as "water engineering" or "hydraulics". It also provides a general appreciation of thermofluids to those students who will do no further courses which are directly dependent on this one. Courses in this strand are major studies for students doing the mechanical engineering major and electives to others.

SYNOPSIS:

Thermodynamics is that branch of physics which seeks to derive relationships between properties of matter, especially those which are affected by temperature, and a description of the conversion of energy from one form to another. Mechanical engineering systems are primarily about energy exchanges. All mechanical engineers must therefore be well grounded in the relationships which describe those exchanges. They must also be skilled in analysing machinery and systems in which the energy exchanges occur. Thermodynamics is therefore an essential and most important part of any mechanical engineering course of study.

OBJECTIVES:

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. On completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. apply thermodynamic laws and principles to the analysis of particular processes, cycles and thermodynamic hardware (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Exam);
2. analyse a given thermodynamic problem by: (a) examining its nature and selecting appropriate techniques for its solution, (b) applying the selected techniques in a numerical analysis of the problem and (c) evaluating the results of the analysis (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Exam);
3. apply thermodynamic principles to the analysis of common engineering systems (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Exam);
4. discuss operational features of various thermodynamic systems and components (Exam).

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Texts with titles such as 'Thermodynamics for Engineers', 'Fundamentals of Thermodynamics', 'Engineering Thermodynamics', or 'Introduction to Thermodyamics' are likely to cover the majority of the course content in a slightly different way. If you are having difficulty with the explanations in the set text, you may wish to consult one of these other titles.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Student Administration will advise students of the dates of their examinations during the semester.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. Students will require email and internet access for this course.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. Students do not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to be awarded a passing grade in this course. Refer to Statement 4 below for the requirements to receive a passing grade in this course.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 30% in each of the weighted assessment items, achieve at least 50% in the examination and at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   In a Restricted Examination, candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination); one A4 sheet of paper with any formulae or other information the student chooses to list (both sides of the sheet may be used).
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the examination period at the end of the semester of the next offering of this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES