Course description

Presents the definitions, concepts, and laws of thermodynamics. Topics include the first and second laws, thermodynamic property relationships, and applications to vapor and gas power systems, refrigeration, and heat pump systems. Examples and problems are related to contemporary aspects of energy and power generation and to broader environmental issues.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to choose an appropriate system and identify interactions between system and surroundings.

Outcome 2: Obtain values of thermodynamic properties for a pure substance in a given state, using table, relations for incompressible substances, and relations for gases.

Outcome 3: Apply energy and entropy balances in the control mass (closed system) and control volume formulations to the analysis of devices and cycles.

Cornell students enroll only in ENGRD 2210. MAE 2210 for Non-CU students.

Prerequisites

MATH 1920 and PHYS 1112, or permission of instructor.

Summer 2025: Online course

John Callister
John Callister
Senior Lecturer, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Student experiences

"This program allows you to explore different disciplines of engineering in an environment where you're free to try things and ask a really knowledgeable professor any questions you may have about the field. And being able to take more than one class allows you to explore further and find out where your interests lie. It's a good exercise in self-exploration for an aspiring college student."
Sneha Batheja
"I realized the importance of teamwork and learned to ask for help from others. Also, I extended my social network and made friends from different countries with different cultural backgrounds, which was really a valuable experience."
Yao Yao '16