Course Syllabus
Draft Syllabus |
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| Semester & Location: | Fall 2025 - DIS Stockholm |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Engineering |
| Prerequisite(s): |
One course in general chemistry, two courses in general physics (Physics I and II or equivalent), a course in multivariate calculus or differential equations, all at university level. |
| Faculty Members: |
TBD |
| Program Director: |
Natalia Landázuri Sáenz, PhD |
| Academic Support: | |
| Time & Place: |
TBD |
Course Description
Thermodynamics deals with the interplay between heat, temperature, energy, and work. It is instrumental in the design of a multitude of engineering applications, from crafting efficient engines and regulating heating and cooling systems, to designing chemical reactors and bioreactors. Moreover, it is at the core of how living organisms operate.
This course will cover fundamental concepts of thermodynamics, first law, second law, properties and behavior of pure substances, closed system and control volume analyses. The course will provide an understanding of scientific concepts and emphasize their practical application in engineering design. The course will conclude with an exploration of engineering systems such as refrigeration and heat pump systems. Students will apply thermodynamic principles while working on exercises and solving problems. In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in field studies and witness current research and developments in Sweden that rely on thermodynamic principles.
The course will cover the following modules:
1. Introductory concepts
- Systems and their behavior
- Mass, length, time, force
- Specific volume, pressure, temperature
2. Energy and the First Law of Thermodynamics
- Work
- Energy
- Energy transfer by heat
- Energy balance for closed systems
- Energy analysis of cycles
- Energy storage
3. Properties
- Pure substances
- Phase change
- Pressure, specific volume, and temperature
- Specific internal energy and enthalpy
- Properties of liquids and solids
- Ideal gas model
- Internal energy, enthalpy, and specific heats of ideal gases
- Polytropic process
4. Control Volume Analysis Using Energy
- Conservation of mass for a control volume
- Mass rate balance
- Conservation of energy for a control volume
- Control volumes at steady state
- Nozzles and diffusers, turbines, compressors and pumps
- Transient analysis
5. Second law of thermodynamics
- Statements of the second law
- Irreversible and reversible processes
- Applying the second law to thermodynamic cycles
- Two reservoirs: power cycles, refrigeration and heat pump cycles, maximum performance measures
- Carnot cycle
- Clausius inequality
6. Entropy
- Evaluating entropy
- Entropy change of an incompressible substance
- Entropy change of an ideal gas
- Entropy balance for closed systems
- Directionality of processes
- Entropy rate balance for control volumes
- Isentropic processes and efficiencies
7. Refrigeration and heat pump systems
- Vapor refrigeration systems
- Refrigerants
- Absorption refrigeration
- Heat pump systems
- Gas refrigeration systems
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- understand concepts of conservation of mass, energy, work interaction and heat transfer
- identify closed and open systems, and apply them to solving engineering problems
- determine thermodynamic properties of compressible and incompressible substances and ideal gases
- understand the second law of thermodynamics, including concepts of entropy, irreversibility and isentropic efficiency, and apply these to solve engineering problems
- apply thermodynamic concepts to solve problems with closed and open systems, steady and transient processes
- apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics to practical systems, such as refrigeration and heat pump systems
- reflect on the role of thermodynamics in engineering applications and society in general
Faculty
TBA
Readings
We will have two course-integrated field studies to learn how thermodynamics concepts are utilized in industry or research.
Field studies may include:
Visit to laboratories at Kungliga Tekniska Högskola (Royal Institute of Technology), Stockholm, Sweden
Visit to heating and cooling plants in Stockholm
Guest Lecturers
Guest lecturers (experts in a particular area of thermodynamics) may be invited to talk about topics of particular interest to students.
Approach to Teaching
We use various teaching methods, including interactive lectures, class exercises, problem solving, discussions, analysis of various applications during field studies.
DIS Accommodations Statement
Your learning experience in this class is important to me. If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support acadsupp@dis.dk.
Expectations of the Students
- You should participate actively during lectures, discussions, group work, and exercises.
- Laptops may be used for note‐taking, fact‐checking, or assignments in the classroom, but only when indicated by the instructor. At all other times, laptops and electronic devices should be put away during class meetings.
- Readings must be done prior to the class session.
- In addition to completing all assignments and exams, you need to be present, arrive on time, and actively participate in all classes and field studies to receive full credit. Your final grade will be affected, adversely, by unexcused absences and lack of participation. Your participation grade will be reduced by 10 points (over 100) for every unexcused absence. Remember to be in class on time!
- Classroom etiquette includes being respectful of other opinions, listening to others and entering a dialogue in a constructive manner.
- You are expected to ask relevant questions in regards to the material covered.
- Excuses for any emergency absences must be given beforehand. It is the responsibility of the student to make up any missed coursework.
Evaluation
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class, all of the assigned work must be completed by the set deadline.
Grading
Active participation: Includes attendance, preparation for lectures and other sessions, active participation in learning activities, class discussions, group work and problem solving. It also includes active participation during field studies and presentation of reflections on how they are related and relevant within the context of the course.
Assignments: Homework problems will be posted on Canvas. Students are allowed to work in groups to complete their homework. A pdf scan or clear photo of their work must be submitted on Canvas. Late submissions of homework will be deducted by 10 points for each day the homework is late.
Quizzes: Short quizzes that cover specific modules of the course will be posted on Canvas and be open for 4 hours. You are expected to work on your own. Once you start taking a quiz, you will have 30 min to complete it. You should provide final answers of questions on Canvas, and upload a pdf scan or clear photo of your work.
Exam: At the end of the semester, you will take an exam that covers all topics from the course. The exam will be open for 24 hours. You are expected to work on your own. Once you start taking the exam, you will have 2 hours to complete it. You should provide final answers of problems on Canvas, and upload a pdf scan or clear photo of your work.
| Active participation |
10% |
|
Assignments |
30% |
| Quizzes (4-6) |
40% |
|
Final exam |
20% |
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org