Thermodynamics (26.

247)
Spring Semester 2015
Mon/Wed/Fri 9 9:50 p.m.
Lowell

Professor Meg Sobkowicz Kline

Plastics Engineering Department
University of Massachusetts
Syllabus and Course Outline

Instructor:

Assistant Professor Meg Sobkowicz Kline

Office: Ball 121
978-934-3433
margaret_sobkowiczkline@uml.edu

Office Hours:

Monday 10:00 12:00 & Tuesday 8:00 10:00 a.m. or by appointment

Attendance Policy:

Attendance at lectures is not mandatory; however, it is strongly

recommended. If class must be missed it is imperative that you obtain the
notes from another student. If you have to miss a scheduled exam period
you must notify me and arrange a makeup at least two days before the date
of the scheduled exam, otherwise your score will be zero. Cell phones and
computers are not permitted in class except for emergencies.

Grading Policy:

All homework sets are due at the beginning of class on the assigned due
date. No late homeworks will be accepted. Assignments will be posted to
Blackboard and must be submitted electronically. For full credit, solutions
to calculation problems MUST also be handed in on paper in class, and
grading will be conducted on one or two problems at random each week.
Please contact me before the due date if an exception is needed. Exam
regrades will be considered if the student provides a written explanation of
the perceived error in grading.

Grading Breakdown: homework (20%) + 2 in-class midterms (25% each) + final exam (30%) =
100%
Time/Location:

Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00 9:50 p.m. Ball 314

Course Textbook:

Cengel, Yunus; Cimbala, John M.; and Turner, Robert H. Fundamentals of

Thermo-Fluid Sciences 4th Ed. McGraw Hill Inc, San Diego, CA (2011).

Course Summary and Objectives

The laws of thermodynamics govern the transformation of energy in the form of work, heat,
light, and chemical potential. This course introduces the concepts of system definition, pure
substance properties, phase behavior and engine cycles. The laws are used to determine
equilibrium states of systems and directionality of energy transformation. It concludes with a
discussion of introductory level polymer thermodynamics.
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
Understand and apply the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics.
Apply knowledge of math, science and engineering to solve thermodynamics problems.
(SO8-a)
Page 1/3

Thermodynamics (26.247)
Professor Meg Sobkowicz Kline
Spring Semester 2015
Plastics Engineering Department
Mon/Wed/Fri 9 9:50 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
Lowell
Design a system, component or process in accordance with equilibrium and efficiency
concepts. (SO8-c)
Identify, formulate and solve thermodynamics engineering problems related to plastics
engineering. (SO8-e)
Use the techniques, skills, and engineering tools necessary for modern engineering practice.
(SO8-k)
Lecture Outline and Course Schedule
Week

Lecture Topics

1/21 1/23

Reading Assignment

Introductions, syllabus review,

Definitions and Basic Concepts

Chapters 1 & 2

1/26 1/30

State variables and units

Forms of energy

Chapter 2
Chapter 3

2/2 2/6

The first law and energy balances

Chapter 3

2/9 2/13

Properties of pure substances

Chapter 4

Equations of state
EXAM 1

Chapter 4

2/23 2/27

Analysis of energy conversion processes

Chapter 5

3/2 3/6

Enthalpy and specific heats

Chapter 5

3/9 3/13

Open systems and conservation of mass

Intro to Entropy and the second law

3/16 3/20

SPRING BREAK

3/23 3/27

The second law

EXAM 2

Chapter 7

3/30 4/3

Entropy

Chapter 8

4/6 4/10

Steady Flow Devices

Chapter 9

4/13 4/17

Engines and cycles

Chapter 9

Intro to polymer thermodynamics

Handouts

2/16 2/20

4/20 4/24
4/27 5/1

(no class 2/16)

(no class 4/20)

Polymer thermodynamics
Page 2/3

Chapters 6 & 7

Thermodynamics (26.247)
Spring Semester 2015
Mon/Wed/Fri 9 9:50 p.m.
Lowell

Professor Meg Sobkowicz Kline

Plastics Engineering Department
University of Massachusetts
Exam Review

Page 3/3