Outline

Overview

This unit aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of the theory and practice of fluid mechanics in the context of mechanical engineering. At the end of this unit students will have the ability to critically assess and solve problems commonly found in fluid mechanics practice, such as sizing pumps and piping systems, designing channels, and determining the lift and drag characteristics of submerged bodies. Additionally, they will develop a structured and systematic approach to problem solving. Course content will include dimensionless analysis, Bernoulli equation, pipe flow, frictional losses, laminar and turbulent boundary layers, open channel flow and hydraulic jump, lift and drag, compressible flow and shock waves, turbomachinery.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MECH9261
Assumed knowledge ?	Linear Mathematics, Vector Calculus, Differential Equations and Fourier Series
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Michael Kirkpatrick, michael.kirkpatrick@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:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Quiz 1 In person pen and paper quiz.	15%	Week 06	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Quiz 2 In person pen and paper quiz.	15%	Week 11	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Weekly Practice Problems A set of problems to be completed at home each week.	20%	Weekly	5 - 8 pages of calculations	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Weekly Practice Problems: Each week you will receive a set of problems to allow you to practise your problem solving skills. You will submit your full worked solutions on Canvas. Best 10 / 12 will count to final mark.
Quizzes 1 and 2: Two in-person quizzes.
Final exam: A two hour supervised exam will be conducted in the exam period.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on the course Canvas site.

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:

Weekly Practice Problems: These must be submitted before the due time on the Canvas site. These are small continuous assessments designed to keep you on track and provide rapid feedback on your progress, so late submissions will not be accepted. Approved special consideration applications will result in a mark adjustment involving reweighting of remaining assessments for the unit.

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
STUVAC	Study for the final exam	Self-directed learning (12 hr)
Weekly	Preparatory Study - Read the prescribed sections of textbook, watch the theory videos, and create your own summary of each week's material. This should be done before the live lecture. Set aside 3 hours per week for this task.	Self-directed learning (36 hr)
	Practice Problems - Complete the weekly Practice Problems. Set aside 3 hours per week for this task.	Self-directed learning (36 hr)
	Test Yourself - Complete the weekly Test Yourself online task. Set aside 1 - 2 hours per week for this task.	Self-directed learning (18 hr)
	Fluid mechanics	Lecture (26 hr)
	Fluid mechanics	Tutorial (12 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

The Faculty of Engineering has a policy that students attend 90 percent of timetabled activities for a unit of study http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/engineering/general/faculty_resolutions.shtml.

Preparatory study: This course follows a flipped classroom model in which students must complete preparatory study that involves reading the prescribed sections of the textbook and watching the pre-recorded theory videos before attending the classes.
Lectures: The lectures in this course are interactive sessions built around solving worked examples. Examples have been developed that act as vehicles to introduce key concepts and theory within the context of a real-life scenario. Questions and discussion are welcome during these classes. Lectures will be recorded.
Tutorial: There is one tutorial session per week. Tutorials will involve a tutor working through a few tutorial problems. Questions and discussion are welcome during these classes. Tutorials will not be recorded.

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

This textbook is essential in order to complete the course. This course follows a flipped classroom model in which students must complete preparatory study that involves reading the prescribed sections of the textbook and watching the pre-recorded videos before attending the classes.

Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications - Fourth Edition in SI Units - Yunus Cengel and John Cimbala

Either hard copy or electronic versions of the textbook will suffice.

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. determine the appropriate flow and geometrical parameters of pipe and duct systems, turbomachinery, sub- and supersonic nozzles, open channels in order to be able to design real world fluid systems
LO2. solve fluid mechanics problems related to: turbulent and laminar pipe and duct flow, boundary layers, drag and lift on immersed bodies such as wings, turbomachinery - pumps, fans and turbines, compressible flow - including nozzles and shocks, open channel flow - constant and varying channels and hydraulic jumps
LO3. simplify fundamental theory in order to use it in the analysis of real-world pipe flow, boundary-layer flow, lift and drag calculations, turbomachinery, compressible flow and open-channel flow 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.

Changed assessment structure to provide a fairer and more secure assessment.

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MECH8261: Fluid Mechanics 2

Semester 1, 2026 [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)

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links