2020 Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Undergraduate major in Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
Basic Thermodynamics (TSE)
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Shuo Cheng
- Class Format
- Lecture (Zoom)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Wed (S622)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- TSE.A308
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2020
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
“Thermodynamics ” is a very important branch of “Physical Chemistry”. This course aims to teach the fundamentals of thermodynamics, explain the behavior of many particles, and try to use mathematics in order to control and estimate the global behavior of a great number of independent objects.
I will outline the ideal gas property, gas molecular kinetic theory, actual gas, and give a lecture on the fundamentals of thermodynamics such as the introduction of heat and temperature, first, second and third law of thermodynamics, enthalpy, and entropy.
Course description and aims
After studying this subject, the students should be able to;
1. acquire the basic knowledge of thermodynamics.
2. apply their knowledge to develop his/her own ability to derive thermodynamical solutions for general and even new problems.
Keywords
First Law of Thermodynamics, Enthalpy, Adiabatic Process, Carnot Cycle, Reversible Process, Irreversible Process, the Second Law of Thermodynamics, the Third Law of Thermodynamics, Entropy.
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Towards the end of classes, students will be asked to make exercise problems related to the topics in the class.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction (basic for thermodynamics, units) | Understand the principle of basic thermodynamics and units |
| Class 2 | Ideal Gas Law | Understand the principle of Ideal Gas Law |
| Class 3 | Gas molecular dynamics, Gas pressure | Understand the principle of gas molecular dynamics and gas pressure |
| Class 4 | Real Gas Law | Understand the principle of Real Gas Law |
| Class 5 | First Law of Thermodynamics, Enthalpy | Understand the principle of First Law of Thermodynamics and Enthalpy |
| Class 6 | The Second Law and the Third Law of Thermodynamics, Entropy | Understand the principle of the Second and the Third Law of Thermodynamics, and Entropy |
| Class 7 | Free Energy | Understand the principle of Free Energy |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
"Thermodynamics and Chemistry", Second Edition, Version 8, October 2016, Howard DeVoe
Evaluation methods and criteria
Course scores are based on exercise problems and final examination
Related courses
- TSE.A201 ： Material and Molecular Engineering
Prerequisites
Basic of Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics