Course coordinator
Professor Anand Veeraragavan
If you have questions you would like to discuss with Professor Veeraragavan, please email to arrange an appointment.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Mech & Mine Engineering School
2nd law, entropy and availability. Power and refrigeration cycles. Mixtures, psychrometry, chemical reactions and combustion. Conduction, convection, radiation, multi-mode heat transfer applications.
This course will build on the knowledge learned in the introductory thermofluids courses to cover the fundamentals of classical thermodynamics and heat transfer, taught in ENGG1500 and MECH2410. The students will then be able to apply the principles learned in the course to mechanical engineering systems.
The thermodynamics part of this course builds on students' knowledge ofﾠthe fundamentals of thermodynamics including the first/second law, entropy, exergy, Carnot cycle, ﾠand chemical reactions ﾠgained in ENGG1500. The students will then learn about different heat engines/advanced power cycles (simple Carnot, Otto, Diesel, Brayton, Rankine and advanced variants of these) and refrigeration cycles. Basics of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) as well as psychrometry will be covered. Thermodynamic analysis of mixtures and combustion will ﾠalso be taught.ﾠ
The heat transfer part of this course builds on MECH2410 and ENGG1500, and covers ﾠmodes of heat transfer and applies the newﾠknowledge toﾠheat exchanger design and evaluation. The students will learn about conduction (1D as well as 2D and 3D; with heat generation), convection (forced, free and mixed for both internal and external flow) and radiation heat transfer both under steady and unsteady conditions. Concepts like thermal resistance, area extension through fins, and logarithmic mean temperature difference (LMTD) will be introduced and their use in solving practical heat transfer problems will be covered.ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
Knowledge equivalent to first year engineering thermodymanics (such as that covered in ENGG1500) and second year incompressible fluid mechanics (such as that covered in MECH2410) is essential.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ENGG1500 and MECH2410
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Ramprakash Ananthapadmanaban
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
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Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to develop the student's ability to utilise advanced concepts in thermodynamics and heat transfer to analyse complex real-life industrial processes by making simplifying assumptions that can allow analytical or semi-emperical engineering calculations to be undertaken for performance analysis of such systems.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify and correctly use the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, including combustion thermodynamics where necessary, to analyse simple systems and determine the required thermodynamic variable/output of interest.
LO2.
Apply basic thermodynamic principles to analyse canonical and innovative power/refrigeration cycles and understand the environmental impact of human energy usage.
LO3.
Select and apply the appropriate mathematical models and tools to investigate steady-state and transient heat transfer problems in a variety of applications.
LO4.
Analyse a range of engineering heat transfer scenarios by applying heat transfer principles in conduction, convection, and radiation to calculate parameters such as temperature distribution, heat transfer rate, or material properties.
LO5.
Read psychrometric charts and identify the relevant air properties (saturation temperature, humidity, enthalpy etc) relevant to Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems.
LO6.
Undertake simple experiments in Thermodynamics and Heat transfer, interpret the data and analyse it against established principles in both disciplines to collaboratively report on the outcomes.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration | Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer prac sessions | 20% |
23/03/2026 - 19/05/2026
Pre-work Due: noon, at least one business day before your nominated Practical date. Practical Report Due:13:00 (1:00pm) One week from the attendance of your practical session |
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Applied Class Problems
|
20% .2% per applied class question set, best 10 out of 13 submissions count towards your final grade. |
Week 1, Fri 2:00 pm Week 2, Fri 2:00 pm Week 3, Fri 2:00 pm Week 4, Fri 2:00 pm Week 5, Fri 2:00 pm Week 6, Fri 2:00 pm Week 7, Fri 2:00 pm Week 8, Fri 2:00 pm Week 9, Fri 2:00 pm Week 10, Fri 2:00 pm Week 11, Fri 2:00 pm Week 13, Fri 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
60% |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer prac sessions
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
23/03/2026 - 19/05/2026
Pre-work Due: noon, at least one business day before your nominated Practical date.
Practical Report Due:13:00 (1:00pm) One week from the attendance of your practical session
Task description
Pre-work (self-study at home and responding to questions posted on Blackboard) carries 5%, running the tests and Practical Report on thermodynamics (refrigeration) and heat transfer (conduction) carries the remaining 15%.
Practical reports are due one week (5 working days) from the date that you attended your practical session. If that date falls on a holiday/mid-semester break, it will be due the next working day of the semester.
The submission time for the report is 13:00 (1 PM), even if your practical hours were different from this.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Please refer to Blackboard for a detailed marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
Pre-work to be completed on Blackborad.
Practical to be completed during scheduled practical class.
The Practical Report to be Submit via TurnitIn on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Please ensure your extension request, clearly outlines whether you are applying for an extension for the pre-work, practical or practical report. Students are expected to attend the practical on the date that they have signed up for. We strongly encourage the students to note this down in their calendar with adequate reminders, as this occurs only once in the semester for every student. The practical spaces are limited and hence it is very difficult to accommodate students who accidentally miss their session. However, if you have extenuating circumstances, please submit an extension request. As the Practical Session is timed-assessment, Student Access Plans (SAPs) are not suitable supporting documentation. Students must provide evidence that demonstrates their inability to attend the assessment at the scheduled time. Please note that the Report deadlines noted below then shift to your new practical session and with the group of students you undertake this with.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Pre-work: A 100% late penalty, as pre-work is to be completed prior to practical.
The Practical Session: will incur a 100% late penalty, as this is timed assessment and the nature of this assessment does not allow for late submissions.
Practical Report: A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Applied Class Problems
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 20% .2% per applied class question set, best 10 out of 13 submissions count towards your final grade.
- Due date
Week 1, Fri 2:00 pm
Week 2, Fri 2:00 pm
Week 3, Fri 2:00 pm
Week 4, Fri 2:00 pm
Week 5, Fri 2:00 pm
Week 6, Fri 2:00 pm
Week 7, Fri 2:00 pm
Week 8, Fri 2:00 pm
Week 9, Fri 2:00 pm
Week 10, Fri 2:00 pm
Week 11, Fri 2:00 pm
Week 13, Fri 2:00 pm
Task description
Students are provided with weekly applied class and practice questions.
Of these, the applied class questions are to be submitted weekly and the practice questions are for you to complete in your own time.
During the applied classes you will have time to solve at least one of the applied class questions and the demonstrator will show an outline of the solution process for all questions.
The weekly applied classes are designed to provide you with assistance in solving these questions. Staff will be there to give you individual advice with these questions and also any course content specific questions.
Submit your completed questions every week.
The questions should be completed in a logbook or alternate well organised system. For any disputes you will be required to produce this logbook/system as evidence to support your case.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Please refer to Blackboard for a detailed marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
Submit a scan/image of your working for the weekly problems and self assessment on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
To accommodate unforeseen circumstances such as illness, your applied class questions will be based on the best 10 out of 13 submitted.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
Task description
Final Exam will assess all of the content covered in the course.
Format: Multiple-choice, Problem solving
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Pass Hurdle: Must demonstrate competency in the final exam of >40% in order to pass the course.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0.00 - 34.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to satisfy most or all of the basic requirements of the course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 35.00 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to satisfy some of the basic requirements of the course. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45.00 - 49.00 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Falls short of satisfying all the requirements for a Pass. Overall grade: 45.00-49.99% or less that 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50.00 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Satisfies the following basic learning requirements for the course: is able to apply the basic concepts introduced in heat transfer and thermodynamics to analysis of simple engineering systems and demonstrates a professional engineering approach to solving heat transfer/thermodynamics problems. Overall grade 50.00-64.99% and a minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65.00 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates ability to use and apply fundamental concepts of heat transfer/thermodynamics by, going beyond mere replication of content knowledge or skill to show understanding of key ideas, awareness of their relevance and some originality or insight.ﾠ Overall grade 65.00-74.99% and a minimum score of 55% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75.00 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates awareness and understanding of deeper and subtler aspects of heat transfer/thermodynamics. This is shown by an ability to solve non-routine problems, and to adapt and apply ideas to new situations. Overall grade 75.00-84.99% and a minimum score of 65% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85.00 - 100.00 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates imagination, originality or flair, based on proficiency in all the learning objectives for the course.ﾠ Overall grade 85.00 - 100% and a minimum score of 75% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
Additional course grading information
Identity verified assessment.
Identity verified assessment (IVA) will be through obtaining at least 40% of the available marks in the Final Exam.
You need to pass the IVA hurdle to pass the course regardless of your final mark. Students who achieve a total mark of 50 or greater but do not pass the IVA hurdle will receive a grade of 3.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Assessment items submitted using the Turnitin link on the course Blackboard site, will check your work for evidence of plagiarism, collusion, and other forms of academic misconduct.ﾠ
A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Laboratory access
Students must have completed the Student Laboratory Safety Induction, Annual Fire Safety Training and Health Safety and Wellness (HSW) to a specific laboratory induction, all accessed via Blackboard.
If you require access for experimental work, then register for an induction by searching for that laboratory at the following link: https://student.eait.uq.edu.au/urite/
Additional requirements to be inducted into each laboratory will be listed on that link.
Students can also check their HSW training card here: https://student.eait.uq.edu.au/safe
Access to laboratories will be granted after all of the specific laboratory requirements have been met.
If you have any enquiries regarding HSW please contact the School’s Technical Services Team on labsupport@mechmining.uq.edu.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Applied Class |
Applied Problem Solving Session Apply, practice, and extend the concepts taught during the lectures to sample problems and discuss worked solutions; receive feedback and assistance in the learning process; develop communication skills through in-class discussions. |
Lecture |
Lectures on thermodynamics and heat transfer Learn new concepts and how to apply them to solve thermodynamics and heat transfer problems. Participate in in-class discussions regarding technical aspects of thermodynamics and heat transfer. |
|
Not Timetabled |
Independent Study Both the thermodynamics and heat transfer components of the course require students to undertake individual study. This is necessary to reinforce understanding of lecture material and practice application of the course concepts to tutorial and additional problems. |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 5 To Week 11 |
Practical |
Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer Pracs Heat transfer practicals provide an opportunity to apply knowledge of course content to real problems, and thereby gain a more direct understanding of course concepts. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.