Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Thermodynamics (Face-to-Face)

ME 3200-01

Course: ME 3200-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 31129

Course Description

Fundamental principles of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic properties of fluids. First law and second law of thermodynamics and their application to closed systems. Energy relationships involving heat, work, and various other forms of energy. Introduction to thermodynamic cycles.  Prerequisite(s): PHYS 2220 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D- Registration Restriction(s): None 

Required Texts

Thermodynamics:  An Engineering Approach (8th or 9th edition), Yunus A. Cengel McGraw-Hill.

Learning Outcomes

(1) Understand how thermodynamics and heat transfer are related to each other.
(2) Distinguish thermal energy from other forms of energy.
(3) Demonstrate understanding of the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics
(4) Demonstrate understanding of fundamental processes. 
(5) Demonstrate understanding of fundamental cycles. 
(6) Function in teams to analyze a system with multiple variables. 
(7) Write and present a study on a topic in thermodynamics.
(8) Develop an awareness of the cost associated with heat losses.
(9) Solve various thermodynamics problems encountered in practice.

Course Requirements

Expectations: (I) Read the Directions, (II) Draw Diagrams; (III) Solve the Problem Clearly; (IV) Clearly Mark your Answers; (V) Use Units; and (VI) Ask yourself: Is this answer reasonable?
 
Exams: Exams must be taken as scheduled. Any absence not excused in advance will result in a zero for that exam. Examinations will be closed-book and closed-notes.  Depending on the coverage of the exam, closed books may be allowed—I will let you know.
 
Homework: Assigned homework will be due at the beginning of class. No Late Homework. It is very important that you complete the assignments in order to understand the material and prepare you for the exams.  Homework guidelines are as follow:
 
1. Homework should be legible, professional in appearance, and use only one side of the paper.
2. Your name, date, course title, and assignment number must appear at the top of each page.
3. Include enough information so that you will be able of understanding the problem, what is desired, the solution approach, and the answer, without relying on the text book.
a. Include a problem statement (what information is given and what is to be found)
b. Include a sketch, picture of the process, etc., to help you visualize
c. Show the equation and its number.
d. Show ALL work – outline the solution approach that was taken.  How you get your answer is often more important than if you get the correct answer.
e. Answers must include units.  In fact, it is a good idea to carry units throughout the problem.
f. Identify final answer (underline, put a box around, etc.)
 
Calculator: You are required to have a calculator that will perform Linear Interpolation and become familiar with the operation of this function.  If your calculator does not contain the function, then you must program your calculator to do so.

Course Outline

Unit 1 – Fundamentals of Thermodynamics
Week 1 – Introduction to Thermodynamics
Topics: Systems, surroundings, boundaries, properties, state, processes, cycles.
 Assignment: Units, dimensions, and property definitions.

Week 2 – Pure Substances & Property Data
Topics: Phase-change processes, property tables, P-v-T surfaces.
 Assignment: Saturated and superheated property problems.

Week 3 – Ideal & Real Gases
Topics: Ideal gas law, compressibility factor, real gas models.
 Assignment: Ideal vs. real gas property problems.

Week 4 – Unit 1 Exam
Covers Weeks 1–3.

Unit 2 – Energy, Work, and Heat Transfer
Week 5 – Work & Heat
Topics: Concepts of work and heat transfer, sign conventions, quasi-equilibrium processes.
 Assignment: Boundary work and PV diagrams.

Week 6 – First Law for Closed Systems
Topics: Energy forms, internal energy, enthalpy, specific heats.
 Assignment: First Law problems for various processes.

Week 7 – First Law for Open Systems
Topics: Steady-flow energy equation, applications to turbines, compressors, nozzles.
 Assignment: Open-system analysis problems.

Week 8 – Unit 2 Exam
Covers Weeks 5–7.

Unit 3 – Second Law & Entropy
Week 9 – Second Law of Thermodynamics
Topics: Heat engines, refrigerators, Carnot cycle concepts.
 Assignment: Efficiency and COP calculations.

Week 10 – Entropy I
Topics: Entropy changes for solids, liquids, gases; entropy balance for closed systems
 Assignment: Entropy calculation problems.

Week 11 – Entropy II
Topics: Entropy balance for open systems, entropy generation, isentropic efficiencies.
 Assignment: Entropy analysis problems.

Week 12 – Unit 3 Exam
Covers Weeks 9–11.

Unit 4 – Moist Air & Psychrometrics
Week 13 – Moist Air Properties & Psychrometrics
Topics: Specific humidity, relative humidity, dry-bulb/wet-bulb temperature, dew point.
 Assignment: Moist air property calculations.

Week 14 – Psychrometric Charts & Processes + Final Exam
Topics: Using the psychrometric chart, sensible/latent heat, mixing of air streams.
 Assignment: Psychrometric chart problem sets.
 Final Exam: Covers Weeks 1–14.


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Exams: 
1. Exams must be taken as scheduled. If you do not take it as scheduled, you will receive a zero.
2. Quizzes will be given at random. If you miss any quizzes, you will receive a zero.
3. A week after HW/quizzes, assignments and exams are graded, they will be shredded. 
4. No exams will be returned to students. 
5. Students may come to the instructor’s office and go over their exam within a week after exams are graded.
 
Homework: Assigned homework will be due at the beginning of class. No Late Homework. 
1. Homework should be legible, professional in appearance, and use only one side of the paper.
2. Your name, date, course title, and assignment number must appear at the top of each page.
3. Include enough information so that you will be capable of understanding the problem, what is desired, the solution approach, and the answer, without relying on the text book.
a. Include a problem statement (what information is given and what is to be found)
b. Include a sketch, picture of the process, etc., to help you visualize
c. Show the equation and its number.
d. Show ALL work – outline the solution approach that was taken.  How you get your answer is often more important than if you get the correct answer.
e. Answers must include units.  In fact, carry units throughout the entire problem.
f. Identify final answer (underline, put a box around, etc.)

Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy:  Attendance, good attitude, and class participation are all part of your grade. A student is responsible for attending the courses for which they are enrolled. If a student misses more than 6 classes, you will automatically fail the class. Further, according to standards set by Department of Education, the University is required to identify a starting date for each student for each of these courses. Students are also responsible for making up any work missed by failing to attend class, even if the absence was approved by the University (see Policy 6.30 - Excused Absence), necessitated by illness, or personal emergency. In this sense, then, there are no “excused” absences.
 
Cell Phone: No cell phones or any other communication devices in class (you must turn it off during the duration of the class).

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.