Thermodynamics I

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Gavin Doyle (Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering)
• Email: gdoyle@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Rowan Engineering Center 224
• Office Hours:
  • Wednesday & Friday: 3:30–5:00 p.m. (In person, Rowan Engineering Center 224)
  • Monday: 3:00–4:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Properties of pure substances, energy analysis of closed and open systems, the first and second laws, entropy, and power and refrigeration cycles. ME 310 introduces classical engineering thermodynamics with an emphasis on energy transformations, thermodynamic state determination, and conservation principles. Students examine the behavior of pure substances and ideal gases, formulate first-law energy balances for closed systems and open control volumes, and apply the second law of thermodynamics using the entropy concept. The course culminates in the thermodynamic evaluation and thermal efficiency optimization of gas power, vapor power, and refrigeration cycles essential to modern energy infrastructure.

Prerequisites

PHYS 121 and MATH 240.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of ME 310, students will be able to:

1. Evaluate Thermodynamic Properties: Determine thermodynamic properties of pure substances (water, refrigerants, and ideal gases) using property tables, Mollier and T-s diagrams, and equations of state with linear interpolation.
2. Apply First Law to Closed Systems: Calculate boundary work, heat transfers, and internal energy or enthalpy changes for closed systems executing polytropic and isothermal processes.
3. Analyze Open Control Volumes: Formulate steady-state and transient mass and energy conservation balances for engineering components including nozzles, diffusers, turbines, compressors, throttling valves, and heat exchangers.
4. Implement the Second Law and Entropy Balances: Apply the Clausius inequality and evaluate entropy generation, isentropic efficiencies, and reversible work limits for engineering processes.
5. Analyze Power and Refrigeration Cycles: Calculate thermal efficiencies, back-work ratios, and coefficients of performance for Brayton, Otto, Diesel, Rankine, and vapor-compression refrigeration cycles.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Çengel, Yunus A., Michael A. Boles, and Mehmet Kanoğlu. Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach. 9th ed., McGraw-Hill, 2019. Approx. $80 digital rental ($190 purchase; reserve copies available in Alkimi Library).
2. NIST WebBook Thermophysical Properties Database and EES/Python CoolProp libraries. Free open-access online resources.
3. Total estimated cost: Approx. $0 (library reserve & open resources) to $80 (digital rental).

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), ME 310 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: Students may consult approved AI tools to clarify fundamental definitions (such as intensive vs. extensive properties), explain phase diagram features, or assist in scripting thermodynamic property interpolations in Python or MATLAB.
• What is prohibited: AI models must not be used to solve assigned homework problems, perform control-volume mass and energy balances on homework sets, or generate derivations of thermodynamic relations. AI use is strictly prohibited during all quizzes and exams.
• Disclosure: Any code or computational script submitted for the thermodynamic cycle design project that incorporates AI-generated logic must include a prominent disclosure specifying the prompt and documenting how property outputs were validated against published NIST or textbook tables.

Grading Components and Weights

• Weekly Problem Sets: 15% (Due Wednesdays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas (weeks 2–14; lowest dropped))
• Biweekly Concept & Property Quizzes: 10% (Administered in class on alternate Thursdays (weeks 3, 5, 9, 13; lowest dropped))
• Midterm Exam 1 (Properties & First Law): 20% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Midterm Exam 2 (Control Volumes & Second Law): 20% (In class, Thursday, November 5)
• Rankine/Brayton Power Cycle Computational Project: 10% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Comprehensive Final Examination: 25% (Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 8:00–10:00 a.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No extra credit assignments are available in ME 310.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance at all lecture sessions is essential. Thermodynamics relies heavily on rigorous step-by-step problem formulations and property table lookups that require live practice and feedback. If an absence is unavoidable due to illness or collegiate conflict, notify Dr. Doyle before the scheduled class. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Weekly homework sets submitted past the deadline will receive a 15% penalty per 24 hours late, up to 48 hours. After 48 hours, solutions are posted and late submissions receive zero credit. The lowest homework set grade is dropped to cover unexpected illness. The cycle project loses 10% per day.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 8:00–10:00 a.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).