CHE5110 Advanced thermodynamics
Faculty of Engineering
CHE5110 Advanced thermodynamics is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Suzhou (SEU). It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton, Suzhou (SEU)
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CHE5110
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After CHE5110
No unit lists CHE5110 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
You must be currently enrolled in a master’s course in engineering or related STEM and in a related discipline. The unit assumes that you have the necessary foundational knowledge.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This unit aims to develop your understanding of classical thermodynamics, introduce the principles and concepts of statistical thermodynamics, and apply thermodynamic knowledge to solve quantifiable thermodynamic problems on macroscopic and molecular states. After completing this subject, you will be expected to calculate energy and entropy balances, assess system equilibrium and stability, understand and manipulate thermodynamic partial derivatives, determine the thermodynamic properties of real substances and mixtures, calculate and apply total and partial properties in physical and chemical equilibria, and use the thermodynamic relationships governing phase changes. You will also be expected to understand the principles and apply the basic relations of statistical thermodynamics, as well as predict and correlate physical/chemical properties of various states and aggregates.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Online |
| First semester | Suzhou (SEU) | Online |
Assessment
- Practice session assessmentExerciseThreshold hurdle15%
- Quiz 1Quiz / TestThreshold hurdle15%
- Quiz 2Quiz / TestThreshold hurdle20%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Apply the principles of thermodynamics to advanced chemical engineering processes, process safety, biological sciences, energy, and environmental sciences.
- 2
Identify differences in thermodynamic properties using equations of state, charts, and tabulated data.
- 3
Solve problems involving multi-phase chemical systems and reactive systems.
- 4
Justify and apply the molecular basis of thermodynamics using the formalism of equilibrium statistical mechanics.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops36 hours
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Bai-Qian Dai
- Dr Zhikao Li
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Zhikao Li
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CHE5110?
CHE5110 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is CHE5110 offered?
In 2026, CHE5110 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Suzhou (SEU), with an online option.
How much work is CHE5110?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does CHE5110 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.