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Environmental Fluid Mechanics (MCEN90051)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
Fluid flows are widespread in nature and everyday life. Environmental Fluid Mechanics is the scientific study of naturally occurring flows of air and water on our planet Earth, especially of those that can affect the environmental quality of those fluids. With the rapid change of environment and its impact of society, it has become increasingly important for students in engineering to have a systematic knowledge of environmental fluid mechanics. This course will focus on a diverse range of environmental systems, including the atmosphere, the oceans, lakes, streams, subsurface environments and building ventilation. Consequently, this course is designed to be of interest and relevance for all students majoring in Physics, Engineering, or physical streams of marine or climate science.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This subject will concentrate on the fluid dynamics of processes which may range in scale from the millimetre size turbulent eddies up to the accidental release of a pollutant which may spread to contaminate a region many kilometres in size. The buoyancy effects and the fluid motions associated with density differences are central to most of the flows which will be addressed in this course. These density differences may be due to differences in temperature, concentration of a solute, composition or the presence of a phase change.
The subject begins with an overview of the field of fluid mechanics and description of the physics governing fluid flow. These physical principles are applied to some examples, including free-surface flows, gravity current, stratified flows, gravity waves, convection and heat transfer, and fluid instability. The course will have four major components which consists of 1. Waves in fluids (interfacial waves and internal gravity waves), 2. Vertical flows (turbulent plumes, filling box, double-diffusive convection), 3. Horizontal flows (shallow water approximation, single-layer hydraulics, gravity currents, particle-laden flows, two-layer flows) and 4. Turbulent mixing (mixing across very stable interfaces and turbulent convection).
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- 1. Understand Demonstrate mastery over a range of environmental fluid flows in terms of the fundamental physical principles and equations that govern them
- 2. Recognise how common theoretical, laboratory and numerical techniques can be used to investigate fluid flows in environmental and engineering contexts
- 3. Apply their problem-solving and physical modelling ability for a range of environmental flows
- 4. Demonstrate a well-developed capability in written and communication of scientific ideas.
Generic skills
- Apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals
- Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solutions.
- Communicate effectively with the engineering team and with the community at large.
- Be creative and innovative.
- Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager as well as an effective team member.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of the following subjects:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MCEN30018 | Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
ENGR30002 | Fluid Mechanics |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Assignment 1. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 4 are addressed in this assignment
| From Week 2 to Week 3 | 15% |
Assignment 2. ILOs 1 to 4 are addressed in this assignment.
| From Week 5 to Week 6 | 15% |
Assignment 3. ILOs 1 to 4 are addressed in this assignment.
| From Week 8 to Week 9 | 15% |
Assignment 4. ILOs 1 to 4 are addressed in this assignment.
| From Week 11 to Week 12 | 15% |
Exam. ILOs 1 to 4 are addressed in the Examination.
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Bishakhdatta Gayen Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours of lectures (two lectures of 1 hour per week) and 24 hours tutorials and workshops Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Engineering Specialisation (formal) Mechanical with Business Specialisation (formal) Mechanical Specialisation (formal) Mechanical with Aerospace - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022