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Unit outline_

AMME2262: Introduction to Thermal Engineering

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to teach the fundamentals of thermal engineering with a particular emphasis on thermodynamics with some elements of heat transfer and thermal system instrumentation and measurement. At the end of this unit students will have an understanding of the basic laws of thermodynamics, heat transfer and measurement of thermal systems and how to apply them in an engineering context. The course content will include topics covering thermal and phase properties of substances, heat and work interactions, the first law of thermodynamics, the second law of thermodynamics, entropy and its application to engineering systems, gas power and refrigeration cycles, heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation, thermal sensors and data acquisition.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(MATH1001 or MATH1021 or MATH1901 or MATH1921 or MATH1906 or MATH1931) and (MATH1002 or MATH1902) and (MATH1003 or MATH1023 or MATH1903 or MATH1923 or MATH1907 or MATH1933)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AMME2200
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students are expected to be familiar with basic, first year, integral calculus, differential calculus and linear algebra

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Matthew Dunn, matthew.dunn@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Matthew Dunn, matthew.dunn@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Callum Kennedy, cken6062@uni.sydney.edu.au
Hamdy Ahmed, hamdy.ahmed@sydney.edu.au
Moustafa Ali, moustafa.ali@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final Exam
Final exam, open book.
35% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial quiz Quiz
Multiple quizzes on unit modules. Held on weeks 5, 8 and 11.
45% Multiple weeks 40 minutes writing time each quiz.
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Small continuous assessment Assignment
Take home assignment
10% Multiple weeks Weekly assignment, 1hrs work maximum
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Lab Report
Report and calculations based on laboratory results.
10% Week 13 Maximum 20 pages, technical report
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Assignment: The assignments will help students absorb the concepts and stay up to date with the pace of lectures. Assignments will elucidate the relevance of the basic concepts with respect to engineering applications.
  • Quiz: There will be in-class quizzes at the conclusion of main topics. These, as well as regular assignments will keep students up-to-date with the lecture material.
  • Lab Report: The laboratory sessions and reports will assess student’s appreciation of the practical relevance and application of the subject matter. Laboratory classes will give students first hand experience on testing the theories taught in class and understanding the practical limitations of these theories.
  • Final Exam: The final examination will help evaluate the overall understanding of the concepts covered in this UoS and the student’s ability to analyze and solve related problems.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Preparation for lectures, working independently on tutorial problems and revising material. Independent study (55 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Laboratories in person or remote. Developing laboratory report. Practical (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 01 Introduction to Thermodynamics and heat transfer Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 02 1. Properties of thermodynamics; 2. Heat and work; 3. Conduction Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 1. First law of thermodynamics; 2. Heat and work; 3. Convection Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 1. First law of thermodynamics; 2. Radiation Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 1. First law of thermodynamics; 2. Second law of thermodynamics; 3. Thermal circuits Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 1. Second law of thermodynamics; 2. Entropy; 3. Energy; 4. Thermal circuits Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 1. Entropy; 2. Thermal circuits Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 1. Entropy; 2. Transient conduction Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Cycles Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 1. Cycles; 2. Dimensional analysis Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Cycles Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Cycles Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Revision of cycles and heat transfer Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendence required as per coursework policy and Engineering faculty resolutions.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Incropera, DeWitt, Bergman & Lavine – Fundamentals of Heat & Mass Transfer. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Cengel and Boles – Thermodynamics an engineering approach. McGraw Hill.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. write a formal laboratory report
  • LO2. work in groups to complete laboratory experiments and analyse the results
  • LO3. evaluate the relevant parameters for heat flow in internal engineering systems such as refrigeration and heating systems
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of some of the basic equations governing thermodynamics
  • LO5. analyze the thermodynamics of a simple open or closed engineering system
  • LO6. analyze and determine the heat fluxes governing a control volume.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1 T P A Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
1.2 T P A Tackling technically challenging problems from first principles.
2.2 T P A Application of enabling skills and knowledge to problem solution in these technical domains.
2.4 T P A Advanced knowledge and capability development in one or more specialist areas through engagement with: (a) specific body of knowledge and emerging developments and (b) problems and situations of significant technical complexity.
3.1 T P A An ability to communicate with the engineering team and the community at large.
3.3 T P A Creativity and innovation.
4.1 T P A Advanced level skills in the structured solution of complex and often ill defined problems.
4.2 T P A Ability to use a systems approach to complex problems, and to design and operational performance.
5.6 T P A Skills in the design and conduct of experiments and measurements.
5.7 T P A Proficiency in appropriate laboratory procedures; the use of test rigs, instrumentation and test equipment.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Course laboratories have been improved.

Additional information related to this unit will be provided in class and on Canvas.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

WHS requirements for laboratories will be outlined in the course material in Canvas.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.