AERO5260: Semester 1, 2026

Units AERO5260 Semester 1 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

AERO5260: Aerodynamics 2

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit aims to introduce students to: elementary and advanced topics in gasdynamics (high speed flows). Unit content will include review of equations of gasdynamics, one-dimensional gas flow, isentropic flows, normal shock, flow in a converging and converging-diverging nozzle, steady two-dimensional supersonic flow, shock waves (normal and oblique), method of characteristics, two-dimensional supersonic aerofoils, introduction to three dimensional effects, unsteady flows, moving shocks, shock tube flow and transonic flow and compressible boundary layers, introduction to turbulent flows. At the end of this unit the student will be able to calculate a high speed flow about an aerofoil and compressible flow through a duct of varying cross-section and will have a good appreciation of transonic and hypersonic flows.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	AERO3260 or AERO8260 or AERO9260
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	AERO4260 or AERO9262
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Nicholas Lawson, nicholas.lawson@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final Exam Supervised exam	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Distributed assignment Single analytical question set each Friday and hand in on Monday.	15%	Multiple weeks	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Lecture Attendence Individual attendance record >80% of lectures based on a register	5%	Multiple weeks Closing date: 29 May 2026	Full semester lecture schedule	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assignment Individual assignment with analytical and numerical design tasks	30%	Week 11 Due date: 11 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 25 May 2026	8 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

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)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 day.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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
Multiple weeks	6.5 hours of independent study per week required to keep up to speed with lecture material and tutorial questions.	Self-directed learning (85 hr)
Week 01	Introduction. Thermodynamics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Governing equations, steady form	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Governing equations, steady form	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Isentropic relations, nozzle flows	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Isentropic relations, nozzle flows	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Rayleigh and Fanno Flows	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Rayleigh and Fanno Flows	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Normal shock/oblique shocks	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Normal shock/oblique shocks	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Shock reflections/Prandtl-Meyer deflection	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Shock reflections/Prandtl-Meyer deflection	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Supersonic airfoils and intakes	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Supersonic airfoils and intakes	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Characteristic theory - linear advection and Euler	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Characteristic theory - linear advection and Euler	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Shock tube solutions	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Shock tube solutions	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	1. Introduction to hypersonics; 2. Introduction to CFD	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	1. Introduction to hypersonics; 2. Introduction to CFD	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	CFD for compressible flows - fundamentals of discretisation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	CFD for compressible flows - fundamentals of discretisation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	CFD: numerical methods	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	CFD: numerical methods	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	CFD for compressible flows: higher-order accuracy	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	CFD for compressible flows: higher-order accuracy	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

The expectation is maximum attendance in all lectures and tutorials, as the theoretical and practical elements of the tutorials support understanding in the lectures and vice-versa.

This will be monitored through a register in lectures, which will be used to assess the % of lecture attendance over the full semester. Tutorials are not included in the register. Any non-attendance of lectures must be reported to the UoSC ahead of the lecture, to allow a fair assessment of attendance. In some cases, evidence of the reason for non-attendance may be requested by the UoSC.

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.

Required readings

The following references are recommended to understand key concepts of the course.

Anderson, J.D. ‘Modern Compressible Flow’, McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2004

Anderson, J.D. ‘Computational Fluid Dynamics – The Basics With Applications’, 1995, McGraw Hill

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. Apply a relevant CFD method to compute a high speed flow
LO2. Synthesise available information to determine which analytical approach and CFD method to apply in the analysis and optimisation of ducts, nozzles, intakes or aerofoils designs
LO3. Describe qualitatively and evaluate a compressible flow through a duct of varying cross section, including the exiting plume, with or without heat addition or subtraction. Qualitatively describe duct flow with friction.
LO4. Derive and apply steady and unsteady isentropic flow analysis and application to one and two dimensional rarefactions. Understand assumptions and articulate the limitations.
LO5. Classify the three fundamental wave types present in compressible fluids. Understand the formation of a shock wave and how to compute post-shock properties of normal and oblique waves.
LO6. Understand and apply the fundamentals of numerical analysis, including stability, accuracy and convergence for upwind discretisations of the one dimensional linear advection equations. Appreciate the application of the method to second order in space and time schemes to solve the Euler equations.

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.

1. improving lecture notes 2. Improving the ANSYS Fluent and Workbench material 3. Where relevant, include more example questions in the lectures. 4. bring forward major assignement due date

Additional information

Use of AI on the major assignment must be correctly referenced and outlined in the report, with any relevant details included in the report appendix.

Use of AI in ongoing assessments must also be corrected referenced and outlined in the any report.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

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