This course conveys the fundamental thermodynamic principles and analysis methods. The topics covered include basic concepts and definitions, first law of thermodynamics and its applications to closed and open systems, second law of thermodynamics, equations of state, thermodynamic property relations, ideal gas mixtures, psychrometrics, reacting mixtures, chemical and phase equilibrium. The course briefly explores relations between thermodynamics and information theory. Application examples are presented for engineered and natural systems and processes, and cover energy, materials and process engineering, natural and built environments, biology and medicine, earth sciences, and astrophysics.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Evaluate physical properties of solids, fluids and gases.
2. Formulate mass and energy balances for closed and open systems without and with chemical reactions, and perform their exergetic analysis.
3. Evaluate thermal effects associated with gas mixing, separation, and chemical reactions, and determine the equilibrium composition of such systems.
4. Apply thermodynamic principles to design and performance analysis in interdisciplinary engineering applications including energy, materials and process engineering, built environments, biomedicine, and manufacturing.
5. Apply thermodynamic principles to analysis of natural systems and processes.
6. Write succinct engineering reports based on experimental observations and theoretical analysis.

Research-Led Teaching

This course will incorporate examples based on recent developments in pertinent engineering and science research to demonstrate the wide applicability of thermodynamic principles. Students will be offered an opportunity to tour ANU research laboratories.

Additional Course Costs

It is recommended that students obtain textbook in print version. Cost is $160 on Wiley Direct (as of Jul 2025).

Examination Material or equipment

The final exam and the mid-semester test are both 'open book'. You may bring printed materials (e.g. textbook, photocopies, handwritten notes, solutions to homework/tutorial problems) into both of these. In particular, you are encouraged to bring the course text (Moran & Shapiro) since it contains useful tables of thermodynamic properties which you will be assumed to have.

Calculators are permitted, but they should be non-programmable.

Required Resources

The textbook for this course is M.J. Moran, H.N. Shapiro, D.D. Boettner, and M.B. Bailey, Moran's Principles of Engineering Thermodynamics, SI Global Edition, 9th Edition, Wiley, 2018 (approx 700 pages). This book is equivalent to M.J. Moran, H.N. Shapiro, D.D. Boettner, and M.B. Bailey Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, 9th Edition, apart from the fact that it has examples and problems that are in non-SI units.

It is recommended to obtain the printed textbook, but note also that there are also three (only) 'virtual copies' available for reading free online via the ANU Library (link here: https://is.gd/morshap). There are a few physical copies in the ANU Library also. The textbook additional also seems to be stored on the Internet Archive; I'm not sure why that is and whether it is likely to remain there.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments in written assignments.
• Verbal comments to the whole class and groups in lectures, tutorials and lab sessions.
• Verbal comments to individuals in consultations.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

You may choose to use Generative AI to support your learning in this course. However, note that using these tools typically reduces the 'stickiness' of the understanding that you obtain, and that the concepts of thermodynamics are challenging to absorb. These tools also still frequently make fairly basic errors. Ultimately, you will do well in the 60% of this course that is assessed via exam if you have understood the challenging aspects of the theory in this course, and that won't have happened if you submit homework that you didn't think through for yourself.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course overview.Getting started (Ch 1)Energy and first law (Sect 2.1– Sect 2.4)	No tutorial, no homework this week. Start self-study on the tutorial problems. Get the textbook!
2	Energy and the first law (Sect 2.5– Sect 2.7)Evaluating properties (Sect 3.1– Sect 3.9)	Tutorial, homework: Ch1,2
3	Evaluating properties (Sect 3.10– Sect 3.15)Control volume analysis (Sect 4.1– Sect 4.8)	Tutorial, homework: Ch 3
4	Control volume analysis (Sect 4.9– Sect 4.12)The second law (Sect 5.1– Sect 5.10)	Computer lab A (ComA), homework: Ch 4No tutorials this week, computer lab instead.
5	The second law (Sect 5.11)Using entropy (Sect 6.1– Sect 6.10)	Tutorial, homework: Ch 5Experimental laboratory (PraA): Turbine (first groups)
6	Using entropy (Sect 6.11– Sect 6.13)Refrigeration and heat pump systems (Sect 10.1– Sect10.6)	Tutorial, homework: Ch 6Experimental laboratory (PraA): Turbine (remaining groups)
7	Ideal gas mixtures and psychrometry (Ch12)	Tutorial, homework: Ch10Mid-semester test
8	Vapour power systems (Sect 8.1–Sect 8.5)	Tutorial, homework: Ch12Experimental laboratory (PraB): Cooling tower
9	Gas power systems (Sect 9.1–Sect 9.8)	Computer lab B (ComB), homework: Ch 8No tutorials this week, computer lab instead.
10	Gas power systems (Sect 9.9–Sect 9.11)Reacting mixtures and combustion (Sect 13.1–Sect 13.3)	Tutorial, homework: Ch 9
11	Reacting mixtures and combustion (Sect 13.4–Sect 13.5)Chemical and phase equilibrium (Sect 14.1–Sect 14.4)	Tutorial, homework: Ch13
12	Review	Tutorial, homework: Ch14

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
In-class quizzes	4 %	1,2,3,4,5
Homework assignments	22 %	1,2,3,4,5
Lab reports	14 %	1,2,3,4,6
Mid-semester test	20 %	1,2,3,4,5
Final exam	40 %	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Only students attending and participating in tutorials and computer labs will have the opportunity to complete the in-class quizzes. Additionally, tutorials are directly aimed at making the corresponding weekly homework problems easier to understand and solve. Any unjustified absence in an experimental lab sessions or the mid-semester test or final exam will automatically result in 0 mark for the corresponding assessment item.

Examination(s)

The course includes a mid-semester test and a final exam. These will be open book -- students are highly encouraged to bring a copy of the course textbook. A small number of copies of printed thermodynamic property tables will be available on request for those students who do no have a copy of the course textbook.

Assessment Task 1

In-class quizzes

There will be a very brief online quiz made accessible only to those student who attend each tutorial or computer lab. These will typically be a small number of multiple-choice questions to which the answers should be fairly obvious in the context of the tutorial/lab. They should be attempted individually. An access code will be provided in class. Each quiz is worth 0.5%, and you will receive a mark based on your best eight results from the of eleven quizzes offered, for a maximum total of 4% of the course.

Assessment Task 2

Homework assignments

There are 11 weekly homework assignments due over the semester, covering textbook content as noted above. Mostly these will be worked solutions to problems of the same style seen in tutorials. In some cases, they may be asked via an online quiz questions in Canvas, but others will be handwritten/typed and uploaded. The homework assignments will be returned approximately 1 week after submission. Each is worth 2%. Due dates will be 9 am Monday of the following week (eg 9 am Monday of Week 3 for the Week 2 homework).

Assessment Task 3

Lab reports

Lab reports are engineering reports on experimental observations and theoretical analysis of lab sessions. There are two lab reports due over the semester, each worth 7% of the course.The lab reports will be returned approximately 2 weeks after submission.

Assessment Task 4

Mid-semester test

A written 1½ hour mini-exam, open book. Non-programmable calculators are permitted, as well as other printed/handwritten materials including the course textbook.

Assessment Task 5

Final exam

The final exam covers the material of the entire course. The final exam will be returned following ANU schedule. Please check the final examination timetable at http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

• Electronic submissions are used in this course for weekly homework assignments, in-class quizzes, and experimental lab reports.
• All submissions must be uploaded via the Canvas course website.
• In-class quiz questions should be answered within one day of attending the class.
• Homework assignments will be posted on Wattle one week prior to their due dates.
• Experimental lab reports are to be submitted within one week of the date of each student's scheduled lab session.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of any submitted materials for your records.

Late Submission

Late submissions of weekly homework and in-class quizzes cannot be accepted because of the need for timely feedback (including solutions) to all students.

Standard late penalties (5% per work-day) apply for lab reports, but not beyond two weeks of the due date (irrespective of public holidays).

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assessed homework assignments and lab reports will be available to students through Canvas.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

No resubmissions are possible in this course.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students