Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics (MCEN30018)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
Semester 2
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AIMS

This course is an introduction to basic principles of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. These two subjects are introduced together in a single course, reflecting the large degree of cross-over in applications and basic first principles between the two subjects.

Fluid mechanics is a very important core subject, influencing a diverse range of engineering systems (aircraft, ships, road vehicle design, air conditioning, energy conversion, wind turbines, hydroelectric schemes to name but a few) and also impacts on many biological (blood flow, bird flight etc) and even meteorological studies. As engineers, we are typically concerned with predicting the force required to move a body through a fluid, or the power required to pump fluid through a system. However, before we can achieve this goal, we must start from fundamental principles governing fluid flow.

Thermodynamics could be defined as the science of energy. This subject can be broadly interpreted to include all aspects of energy and energy transformations. Like fluid mechanics, this is a hugely important subject in engineering, underpinning many key engineering systems including power generation, engines, gas turbines, refrigeration, heating etc. This unit again starts from first principles to introduce the basic concepts of thermodynamics, paving the way for later more advanced units

This course aims to develop a fundamental understanding of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, based on first principles and physical arguments. Real world engineering examples will be used to illustrate and develop an intuitive understanding of these subjects.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics include:

Fluid Mechanics - fluid statics, static forces on submerged structures, stability of floating bodies; solid body motion; fluid dynamics; streamlines; pathlines and streaklines; conservation of mass, momentum and energy; Euler's equation and Bernoulli's equation; control volume analysis; dimensional analysis; incompressible flow in pipes and ducts; boundary layers; flow around immersed bodies; and drag and lift.

Thermodynamics - heat and work, ideal non-flow and flow processes; laws of thermodynamics; Carnot's principle; Clausius inequality; direct and reversed heat engines; thermal efficiencies; properties of pure substances; change of phase; representation of properties; steam and air tables; and vapour equation of state, ideal gases.

Please view this video for further information: Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Have developed an intuitive fundamental understanding of thermo-fluid systems
  • Be able to determine the thermodynamic and physical properties of numerous substances
  • Apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics to several engineering devices
  • Apply control volume analysis to numerous fluid mechanical systems
  • Appreciate the elegance of dimensional analysis
  • Be able to analyse simple, incompressible and inviscid fluid flows, such as pipe and pump flow systems
  • Appreciate basic tenets of external flows, including lift, drag & separated flows.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

• Ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
• 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: 9 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Option 1

All of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ENGR20004 Engineering Mechanics
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ENGR20005 Numerical Methods in Engineering
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST20029 Engineering Mathematics
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

OR

Option 2

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MAST20009 Vector Calculus
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST20032 Vector Calculus: Advanced
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

AND

All of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MAST20030 Differential Equations
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ENGR20004 Engineering Mechanics
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ENGR20005 Numerical Methods in Engineering
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

ENGR30001 Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics

MCEN30015 Thermofluids

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ENGR30002 Fluid Mechanics
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Recommended background knowledge

It is recommended that students have completed the following subjects or their equivalent:

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
PHYC10003 Physics 1
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
PHYC10004 Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

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: 9 April 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Two laboratory reports not exceeding 1500 words (equally weighted)

  • 20 hours (of work required)
Throughout the semester20%

Two assignments, each not exceeding 1,500 words and requiring approximately 10 hours of work each (equally weighted)

  • 20 hours (of work required)
Throughout the semester20%

Written Test

  • 50 minutes
In either Week 6 or 710%

Examination

  • 3 hours
Hurdle requirement: Students must pass the exam component to pass this subject. 		During the examination period50%

Additional details

  • Laboratory reports are associated with Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 3 and 7.
  • Two assignments are associated with ILOs 4-6.
  • 50-minute written test is associated with ILOs 1-7.
  • 3-hour examination is associated with ILOs 1-7.

Note: Some laboratory reports and assignments will be completed in teams of two.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorJimmy Philip
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours36 hours of lectures and 20 hours of tutorials and laboratories
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024
    Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024
    Census date 3 April 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024
    Assessment period ends21 June 2024

    Semester 1 contact information

    jimmyp@unimelb.edu.au

     

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorMohsen Talei
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours36 hours of lectures and 20 hours of tutorials and laboratories
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024
    Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024
    Census date 2 September 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail20 September 2024
    Assessment period ends15 November 2024

    Semester 2 contact information

    mohsen.talei@unimelb.edu.au

     

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Further information

Last updated: 9 April 2025