Outline

Overview

This unit of study teaches the students the techniques used to propel aircraft. The students will learn to analyse various propulsion systems in use- propellers, gas turbines, etc. The topics covered include: Propulsion unit requirements for subsonic and supersonic flight; thrust components, efficiencies, additive drag of intakes; piston engine components and operation; propeller theory; operation, components and cycle analysis of gas turbine engines; turbojets; turbofans; turboprops; ramjets. Components: compressor, fan, burner, turbine, nozzle. Efficiency of components: Off-design considerations. Future directions: minimisation of noise and pollution; scram-jets; hybrid engines.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	AMME2000 and [AMME2200 or (AMME2261 and AMME2262)]
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Good knowledge of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Zi Wang, zihao.wang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Zi Wang, zihao.wang@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Brendan Waters, brendan.waters@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	James Heather, james.heather@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam Final Exam. Exercises similar to the in-semester quizzes. Open book	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Tutorial Exercises One tutorial question per tutorial as specified by the unit coordinator.	10%	Multiple weeks	2 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Gas Turbine Lab Report Individual lab report	5%	Multiple weeks	4 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Propeller and Prop/Engine Matching Individual report	20%	Week 05 Due date: 30 Mar 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 09 Apr 2025	10 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 1 Quiz on design point performance	5%	Week 09 Due date: 02 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 02 May 2025	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Gas Turbine Design Point Analysis Group report. SparkPlus will be used to assess contributions.	15%	Week 10 Due date: 11 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 21 May 2025	25 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 2 Quiz on off-design performance	5%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 30 May 2025	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Propeller assignment: This assignment on Propellers will be in a Report form and includes the results of the lab and the propeller performance calculations.
Gas turbine group assignment: Gas turbine engine cycle calculation: selection and design / off-design performance. SparkPlus will be used to assess contributions.
Quiz 1 and 2: Exercise to be solved independently during the tutorial and handed in (open book).
Tutorial exercises: Solution of one tutorial question per tutorial as specified by the unit coordinator at the end of the tutorial
Gas turbine lab report: Report on the lab on the micro turbine including performance calculations and operating line. Due 1 week after the actual lab. Lab runs in multiple weeks. Students will be assigned a specific session.
Final exam: The exam consists of 2 parts: Part A Exercises: The student takes a two hours examination at the end of the course. This part of the exam is open book and written. Part B Theory: The student has an oral exam on the theory of the UoS. Each student will prepare and answer 2 questions and discuss/explain the answer to the UoS Coordinator.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per work day

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Course overview; review of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics; engine thrust and performance parameters	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Propeller principles; Froude theory; blade element theory	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 03	Gas turbines; turbojet engines	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 04	Turbofan engines; afterburners; turboprop engines	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 05	Turbomachinery fundamentals and maps	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 06	Gas turbine component matching	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 07	Gas turbine off-design performance	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 08	Gas turbine engine control	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 09	Air intakes	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 10	Compressors; combustion chambers	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 11	Combustion chambers; turbines	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 12	Turbines; novel and advanced engine cycles (geared turbofan; intercooled cycles; ramjet / scramjet engines; ...)	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 13	Revision	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Weekly	independent work to prepare class, work on assignments, prepare quizzes, revise material. 5 hours per week	Independent study (67 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. write an engineering report on an experimental test
LO2. discuss and present engine performance and design data in a written report
LO3. explain engine performance and different engine types in final exam.
LO4. design and select a gas turbine engine type for a given application
LO5. select appropriate engine cycles and propellers for a given aircraft and flight conditions
LO6. carry out a cycle analysis of a gas turbine engine, including ramjet and turbo-fan engines
LO7. understand the working of various components of gas turbines and how their interaction results in the overall engine performance
LO8. identify relevant data to estimate performance of existing aircraft engines
LO9. solve systems of non-linear equations governing propeller performance
LO10. solve thermodynamic cycle calculations for both design point and off-design calculations.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

2025 - Updated assessment schedule.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

AERO3261: Propulsion

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links