MEC4408 Thermodynamics 2 and heat transfer
Faculty of Engineering
MEC4408 Thermodynamics 2 and heat transfer is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It needs MEC2405 or MMA2003 and unlocks 1 unit.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 120%
- and 5 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before MEC4408
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After MEC4408
1 unit list MEC4408 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
This unit aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the processes by which heat and energy are inter-related and converted and by which heat is transferred. The unit will review major principles of energy conversion and the modes of heat transfer. The basic laws of thermodynamics and the governing equations for heat transfer and thermodynamics will be introduced and subsequently used to solve practical engineering problems involving thermodynamics and heat transfer. The unit will also cover fundamental design principles of power generation systems and heat exchangers.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- CLAYTON: In-class testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle20%
- CLAYTON: In-class testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle20%
- CLAYTON: Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle60%
- MALAYSIA: In-class testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle15%
- MALAYSIA: In-class testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle15%
- MALAYSIA: LaboratoryWrittenThreshold hurdle10%
- MALAYSIA: Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle60%
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 fundamental equations to establish mathematical relationships amongst commonly encountered thermodynamic properties.
- 2
Use psychrometric charts to analyse and quantify air conditioning processes.
- 3
Analyse the performance of combustion processes utilised to generate energy and recognise the importance of greenhouse effects.
- 4
Evaluate the performance of internal combustion engines.
- 5
Discern modes of heat transfer in energy-related processes.
- 6
Appraise engineering problems involving heat conduction, convection and radiation by selecting and applying appropriate tools to model the problem.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
Clayton Campus:
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.
Malaysia Campus:
Three hours of lectures (or equivalent), 2 to 3 hours of other scheduled activities (1 to 3 hours of practicals and/or 2 to 3 hours of labs or practicals) and 7 to 8 hours of private study per week, for a total of 12 hours per week and 144 hours per semester not including the independent hours during mid-semester break, swot vac and exam periods. When the independent hours in these periods are included, the total workload is 204 hours per semester.
Studying video recordings covering key aspects of the topics covered through the unit.
Working with peers to solve complex problems in practical classes.
Engagement with workshop classes, discussions, worked example problems and practice problems to develop skills and understanding of the unit topics.
Learning resources
Required resources
Prescribed texts:
- Cangel, Boles & Kanoglu, "Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach, 10ed", McGraw-Hill, 2024. ISBN: 978-1-266-15211-5
- Cengel, Cimbala & Ghajar, "Fundamentals of Thermal-Fluid Sciences, 6ed", McGraw-Hill, 2022. ISBN: 978-1-260-59758-5
Where it fits
MEC4408 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Hung Yew Mun
- Professor Gregory Sheard
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Gregory Sheard
Common questions
What can I take after MEC4408?
MEC4408 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including MEC4416.
When is MEC4408 offered?
In 2026, MEC4408 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia.
How much work is MEC4408?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MEC4408 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 120% of the final mark, alongside 6 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include MEC4408?
MEC4408 is part of Mechanical engineering.