Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Applied Thermodynamics

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
MIET2421	City Campus	Undergraduate	115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 2 2015, Sem 1 2016, Sem 2 2016
MIET2421	City Campus	Undergraduate	172H School of Engineering	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2017, Sem 2 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 2 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 2 2021, Sem 2 2022, Sem 2 2023, Sem 2 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr Abhijit Date

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 0612

Course Coordinator Email: abhijit.date@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora East Campus: 251.02.29

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the essential theoretical basis of engineering thermodynamics and its application to a range of problems of relevance to practical engineering.
The course aims to equip you with basic tools and methodologies for carrying out thermodynamic analyses of engineering systems.
Key topic areas are: Thermodynamic properties of working fluids including enthalpy and entropy; First Law of Thermodynamics applied to common engineering situations; Second Law of Thermodynamics applied to heat engines and refrigeration systems; common practical heat engine and refrigeration cycles.  
       

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

PLO 1 Demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of scientific theories, principles and concepts and engineering fundamentals within the engineering discipline​
PLO 4 Apply knowledge of established engineering methods to the solution of complex problems in the engineering discipline
PLO 8 Communicate engineering designs and solutions respectfully and effectively, employing a range of advanced communication methods, in an individual or team environment, to diverse audiences.​​
PLO 10 Critically analyse, evaluate, and transform information, while exercising professional judgement, in an engineering context.
PLO 11 Collaborate and contribute as an effective team member or leader in diverse, multi-disciplinary teams, with commitment to First Nations peoples and/or globally inclusive perspectives and participation in an engineering context.​    

Upon completion of this course you should be able to:

1. Apply basic thermodynamic principles and the laws of physics to analyse and predict the performance of idealised thermodynamic systems
2. Contextualise the nature and operating principles of energy flows within engineering systems
3. Integrate idealised thermodynamic system models into corresponding real-world systems
4. Evaluate the benefits of improvements to thermodynamic systems and effectively communicate the findings
5. Critically self-reflect on personal contributions and professional behaviours to team-based investigations and reporting
 

Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities can include viewing pre-recorded lecture videos, assignments, tutorials, laboratory experiments and  quizzes. The laboratory experiments will help students learn how to set up practical problems and how to interpret and interrogate data for the analysis process. Online learning, and directed problem-solving activities will be achieved through the assignment tasks.
In this course students will learn through the following activities:

1.  Pre-recorded lectures and tutorials: to: to obtain an introduction to fundamental principles of Thermodynamics, and an introduction to application of these principles to solution of practical problems.
2. Set reading (e.g. prescribed sections of the textbook / online resources / notes): to reinforce/strengthen understanding of principles and application.
3. Practice examples: students need to practice solving problems as it is rarely as easy to do this as it might appear in  tutorials and pre-recorded lectures. Students need to attempt solving problems alone and with friends, and also under supervision in tutorials. Students will find participation in tutorials to be extremely helpful. Weekly tutorial assessments
4. Physical demonstrations and laboratory classes: to investigate real behaviour of Thermodynamic systems, and thereby gain deeper knowledge and better understanding of key concepts. Laboratory work will also allow students to develop skills in experimentation and data handling.
5. Assignments: student need to work on problem-solving assignments. By this activity and feedback on the assignments, student will advance their knowledge and capabilities.

Overview of Learning Resources

Course-related resources will be provided on the course Canvas site, which is accessed through myRMIT. This material can include pre-recorded lecture and tutorial material, course notes, sample problem sheets and solutions, details related to the laboratory experiments and references.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks:

Assessment Task 1: Quizzes, 20%, CLO1 and CLO2
Assessment Task 2: Laboratory, 10%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4 and CLO5
Assessment Task 3: Final assessment, 30%, CLO1, CLO2 and CLO3
Assessment Task 4: Assignment, 40%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4 and CLO5

 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.