SYLLABUS

MCEN 5021
Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
Fall 2016
Instructors
Prof. Jean Hertzberg
Email:
Office:
Cell:
Website:

Hertzberg@colorado.edu
ECME 220, 303-492-5092
303-817-0967. No contact from midnight to 10 am, please.
http://jeanbizhertzberg.com
http://flowvis.org

Office Hours: Ill be available to chat after each class in our classroom. Ill also be
available Wednesdays from 2-3, and other afternoon times by appointment; just email
me. In general, you can stop by for help anytime, but I can't guarantee Ill be free. If the
door is shut, or I am meeting with other people, that is a definite not available.

Course Materials
Course D2L Website: https://learn.colorado.edu/ . Follow the appropriate links to
MCEN 5021. You must log in to the website using your Indentikey user name and
password. The D2L site will have many years worth of undergraduate fluids lecture
notes and solved homeworks and exams.

Piazza:
This term we will be using Piazza for out-of-class discussions. The system is designed
for getting you help fast and efficiently from classmates, and Ill keep an eye out to make
sure it doesnt go off track. Rather than emailing questions me first, I encourage you to
post your questions on Piazza. If you have any problems or feedback for the developers,
email team@piazza.com. Find our class page at:
http://piazza.com/colorado/fall2016/mcen5021

Textbook:
Kundu, Pijush K., Ira M. Cohen, and David R. Dowling Ph.D. Fluid Mechanics, Sixth
Edition. 6 edition. Waltham, MA: Academic Press, 2015.
Recommended but not required:
Currie, Iain G. Fundamental Mechanics of Fluids. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis,
2013.
If you plan to keep your text, I recommend you invest in a new edition. If not, or if you
can't afford more than a hundred dollars for a text, I recommend you buy one of the older
editions available online.

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Solution manuals are often available as well. You may want to seek one out for your
text. There are many solved problems in Schaums Outline: Fluid Mechanics, by Potter
and Wiggert, 2008, McGraw-Hill pub. ISBN 978-0-07-148781-8. About $13 online. Note,
this is not Schaums Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics, by Giles, Evett and Liu, which is
not as applicable to our course.
I have a few copies of random textbooks that I'm happy to loan out for the semester, but
I would prefer that you buy an inexpensive text and get to know it, and keep it for future
reference.

Clickers
Well be using the CUClicker (a.k.a i>clicker) classroom response system. They are
available at the bookstore for around $30. You must register your clicker ID at
http://mycuinfo.colorado.edu/ . Registration help is at
http://www.colorado.edu/oit/tutorial/cuclickers-iclicker-remote-registration. Your clicker
score will count as one homework assignment, and your lowest homework score will be
dropped, so if you dont want to participate with clickers, you dont have to.

Software
Homework problems may require the use of Matlab, Mathematica, Maple or equivalent
computational power. CU has many site licenses for you to use on your own machines:
http://www.colorado.edu/oit/software-hardware/site-licenses
Other web-based computational tools may be required; there are a number of fun and
useful applications available on the web for solution of fluids problems. See
https://www.simscale.com/ for example.
We will be discussing CFD applications throughout the semester, but this is primarily an
analytic course.

Role of this Course in the Mechanical Engineering Curriculum

Goals
Fluid mechanics is the study of fluid flow. Examples of applications of fluid mechanics
range from the water pressure needed to supply a typical domestic water system to the
drag on an automobile at 80 mph, to optimal designs for fire hoses, to the flow of gases
through a flame, to the fan design for building heating and ventilation, to the dynamics of
weather systems, to the mixing of cream and coffee in a cup.
This is a huge, well-developed topic, and we will cover the basics. Most of our approach
will involve using mathematical models to describe the physics of fluid mechanics. These
models are then used to predict the behavior of fluids. At the same time, the models
represent the physics of the fluids, and it is important to make sure that those physics
are not lost in the math. Some of these physics will be demonstrated in lecture or shown
on video. For the rest, I ask you to observe the fluid flows that surround you every day
and think about how they apply to the contents of this course. Think about how they
relate to engineering, that is, the control of fluid flows in technology.

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Here are the Learning Objectives for this course. At the end of the course, you will be
able to
Approach an arbitrary problem in fluid mechanics and
1. Recognize the regime of the problem
2. Determine the assumptions needed for a first-cut, analytic solution
3. Formulate the problem mathematically
4. Solve and/or locate a solution as appropriate to the available resources
5. Verify the solution (the equations are solved correctly)
6. Validate the solution (the correct equations were solved, the answer
makes sense)
7. Plan an approach for a more accurate solution.
These learning objectives will be achieved by a rigorous analysis of the equations of
motion for a fluid, followed by a broad survey of classic analytic problems in a wide
range of regimes.

Pre and Corequisites:

You must have passed at least a one-semester course in fluid mechanics for engineers,
and have taken or be registered this semester in MCEN 5020, Methods of Engineering
Analysis.

Administrative Details
Policy on Privacy of Graded Work
Federal law requires that your grades be communicated to you privately. You have been
assigned a unique, private ME ID number for this purpose, and it will be the same for all
your ME courses. Put this number on all work that you hand in, do not put your
name. You can get your MEID from our D2L website, in the My Grades section. You can
pick up your graded work filed under this number in the ME Front Office, on the first
floor, at the east end of the ME wing.

Course Format
Lectures will be used to emphasize important basic material, not to communicate the
entire course content. Attendance is not required but you will be responsible for all
material given in lecture. Thus, if you miss class, plan on downloading the notes and
discussing what you missed with a classmate, not your instructor. (Please, no what did I
miss emails). Similarly, you are responsible for course information emailed to your CU
account; make sure they are not going to your junk mail folder.
Lectures will require active participation. You can expect between one and four clicker
questions and/or minute papers per lecture, and discussion will be encouraged. Other
activities will also be used. If you hand in work (minute papers etc.) do sign them. You
may receive credit if I can manage it at the end of the semester to tally them up.

Assessment and Grading

Midterm
Project

6 pm Monday Oct 24
Last day of class

ECCR 245

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20%
20%

Final

Tuesday December 13, 4:30 7:00 p.m.

Every other week, day TBD, start
of class

Homework

Flmg 156

25%
15%

The midterm will be designed for one hour, but two hours will be allowed for everyone.
I am not likely to be lenient if you miss an exam due to a vacation, so plan now! Of
course, if you have a documented illness or family emergency, arrangements can be
made with no penalty.
No exams will be given early, but if you have an emergency or valid conflict, you may
request to take an exam later.
Grading will be based on accumulated points, weighted as shown above.
87% and up A or A80-87 %
B+, B or B60 80%
C+, C or CDepending on class overall performance, these points values may be lowered. Class
average will probably be around a 3.5 . Our goal is to decrease an overly competitive
atmosphere in the class. Helping each other learn the material can only help improve
your understanding of the content, and will not adversely affect your grade.

Homework Policy:
There will be one homework assignment every other week, approximately. Homework
will be due in class no later than 5 minutes after the start of class. No homework will be
accepted during class after that. You may submit homework before class under JHs
office door, ECME 220. Homework turned in after class will lose 10% of the maximum
points. Homework slid under my office door before 10 am the next morning will lose 15%
of the maximum points. Homework received one day late will lose 25%. Any later than
that and the assignment is worth 0, but will be scanned for correctness at the graders
discretion. If you have a documented illness or family emergency, arrangements can be
made with no penalty. Note: computer viruses or crashes do not constitute a valid
excuse. That's what backup copies are for. Computer lab availability also does not
constitute an excuse. Be aware of limited resources.
Although the total points of various homework sets may vary, all will be normalized and
weighted equally at the end of the course. Your clicker score will replace the lowest
homework score if it is better. Then, at the end of the semester, the lowest homework
grade will be dropped. Clicker questions get one point for participating, and another point
if your answer is correct.
We dont have a TA for the course. You can volunteer to grade a homework assignment
for full HW points. You will not get a detailed solution to work from; instead, a solution
from a similar problem will be provided to help you select the best homework from the
class to use as a model. You will probably learn more from a problem that you grade
than you will from an assignment that you do yourself, with similar time invested.

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Homework Format
Communication is a critical professional skill, and practicing the standard
engineering format is very much to your advantage. Plus, its required: it will facilitate
grading and will assist you to approach problems in a consistent, organized way that will
lead to a useful solution. It is your responsibility to make your solutions clear and legible.
The graders have the discretion to deduct points (up to and including full credit) for
solutions that are hard to read or unprofessional in appearance. All homework must be
submitted online via a dropbox in D2L. It can be handwritten, but the uploaded version
must be clearly legible.
Each new problem should be started on a new page. The MEID should be given in the
upper-right-hand corner of each page, along with consecutive page numbers.
Each problem MUST have all these parts, unless the problem requires only a conceptual
or short answer. If there are any numbers, you must use this format. Point breakdown is
shown.
1. 5% Clear and succinct problem statement, including identifying variables that are
given and quantities to be found. This should be in your own words.
2. 10% Schematic/sketch (unless it is obviously not needed). Show the system to
be analyzed with dotted lines for the enclosing system boundary. List relevant
information on the figure. A schematic shows functional relationships, not
necessarily physical relationships. Dont spend time on a fancy 3d projection; just
a rectangle labeled tank or whatever is sufficient.
3. 10% List of assumptions.
4. 10% Physical laws/governing equations. Write a basic version of the equation,
and name it: Conservation of Mass, definition of viscosity, etc.
5. 5% List of known values, with units, including properties obtained from a table.
Indicate the source of your info, if applicable. You dont have to repeat info if it
was given in steps 1 or 2.
6. 5% List of unknowns. Make sure they correspond to the sketch.
7. 25% Solution: First do the algebra, in symbolic form. Cast your basic equations
into the variables particular to the problem. Cancel terms by referencing
assumption labels. Make sure the number of equations matches the number of
unknowns. Obtain and present a simplified expression for the answer. You can
work out an intermediate numerical value to see if you are on the right path, but
then continue symbolically to obtain a simplified expression.
8. 10% Then do the calculations, plugging in the numbers. Pay attention to a) units
and b) significant figures. Show all work and code.
9. 5% Present the answer with a box around it.
10. 15% Verification (Reality Check). Check the answer against what common sense
tells you. Does the size of the answer make sense, does it seem too big or too
small? Do the results compare reasonably to a related known quantity? Do the
units make sense? Briefly explain what you did to check the result and where
applicable, discuss pertinent limitations of the analysis e.g., assumptions that
are limited in applicability.
Yes, I am really serious about this. It takes a lot of time, but it is actually worth it.

Regrading policy:
5

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If you think there is an error in how your work was graded, write your question on your
work, and turn it back in for the grader to review. If you are still dissatisfied after grader
review, I will then look at it. You must submit your work for regrading within two weeks of
when the work is returned to you.

Professionalism Expectations
A primary objective of the Mechanical Engineering Department is to prepare each of our
students for careers in the engineering profession. As professionals, engineers must
meet high standards of technical competence and ethical behavior. According to the
Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) code of ethics, engineers
uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by:
1. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;
2. Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their employers
and clients;
3. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) believes that it is essential for each of
you to learn the professional behavior that will prepare you for your career after college.
Therefore, in each mechanical engineering course you will be required to practice the
professional behavior that will be expected by your future employers. This syllabus
clearly outlines the ME policy regarding academic integrity and academic climate. These
policies will be upheld in each of your courses throughout the mechanical engineering
curriculum. However, we also expect that this culture of professionalism will pervade all
of your University of Colorado experiences.
Academic Integrity
You will be asked to complete individual homework assignments in this course. Though
you may work in groups to discuss and solve problems, it is expected that you will abide
by the University of Colorado at Boulder honor code at all times. Therefore, you may not
plagiarize a problem set or allow another student to plagiarize your answers to a
problem set. Examples of plagiarism include: copying from a solution manual, copying
from Internet sites, copying from previous academic year homework sets, and copying
directly from classmates. If you have any doubt that you are using sanctioned materials
to assist with your homework solution, please ask your current instructor/professor. On
assignments that require you to use supplemental materials, it is also essential that you
properly document the sources of information you use.
Any instances of dishonesty on homework or tests will result in a minimum sanction for
your first violation of the honor code of a zero score and an entry in your department file.
Additional sanctions will be imposed by the ME Department for subsequent violations,
possibly including expulsion from the ME program. You may contest any accusation
according the campus honor code system.
University of Colorado at Boulder Honor Code Policy:
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and
adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may
include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and
threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the

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Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-735-2273). Students who are found to

be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions
from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to
university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code
can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
Academic Climate
In Class Expectations: It is our expectation that each of you will be respectful to your
fellow classmates and instructors at all times. In an effort to create a professional
atmosphere within the classroom, it is requested that you:

Arrive to class on time

Turn off your cell phone
Limit use of your laptop computer to class purposes
Put away newspapers and magazines
Refrain from having disruptive conversations during class
Remain for the whole class, or if you must leave early do so without disrupting
others
Display professional courtesy and respect in all interactions related to this class

Compliance with these expectations will assist us with the creation of a learning
community and a high quality educational experience. The University of Colorado
Classroom behavior policy will complement the outlined classroom expectations.
University of Colorado Classroom Behavior Policy: Students and faculty each have
responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to
adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy
and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with
differences of race, color, culture, religion, creed, politics, veteran's status, sexual
orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, disability, and
nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I
will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun.
Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make
appropriate changes to my records. See policies at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
Discrimination and Harassment: Discriminatory and harassing behavior will not be
tolerated in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. A safe and inclusive
environment will be created and maintained by the students and instructing faculty
member. Students with concerns about discrimination or harassment actions should
immediately contact the instructor, the Department Chair or their academic advisor, or
contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (below).
Examples that may be considered harassment:
A teaching assistant or instructor asking a student for a date.
Displaying sexually explicit material in an academic setting (including laptop
wallpaper and T shirts).
Persisting in asking a classmate for a date after being turned down.

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Using degrading terminology in referring to others, including peers.

University of Colorado Discrimination and Harassment Policy: The University of

Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder) is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working,
and living environment. The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or
veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its
educational programs and activities. (Regent Law, Article 10, amended 11/8/2001). CUBoulder will not tolerate acts of discrimination or harassment based upon Protected
Classes or related retaliation against or by any employee or student. For purposes of
this CU-Boulder policy, "Protected Classes" refers to race, color, national origin, sex,
pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender
expression, or veteran status. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated
against should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-4922127 or the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) at 303-492-5550. Information about the
ODH, the above referenced policies, and the campus resources available to assist
individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at
http://www.colorado.edu/odh
Out of Class Expectations: Though many of the above stated policies address
academic climate within the classroom, these policies should also be upheld outside of
the classroom. As a member of the ME community you are expected to consistently
demonstrate integrity and honor through your everyday actions. Furthermore, faculty and
staff members are very willing to assist with your academic and personal needs.
However, multiple professional obligations make it necessary for us to schedule our
availability. Suggestions specific to interactions with faculty and staff include:
Respect posted office hours. Plan your weekly schedule to align with scheduled
office hours
Avoid disrupting ongoing meetings within faculty and staff offices. Please wait
until the meeting concludes before seeking assistance. Respect faculty and staff
policies regarding use of email and note that staff and faculty are not expected to
respond to email outside of business hours. Send emails to faculty and staff
using a professional format. Tips for a professional email include:
- Always fill in the subject line with a topic that indicates the reason for your
email to your reader.
- Respectfully address the individual to whom you are sending the email
(e.g., Dear Professor Smith).
- Avoid email and text message abbreviations.
- Be brief and polite.
- Add a signature block with appropriate contact information.
- Reply to emails with the previously sent message. This will allow your
reader to quickly recall the questions and previous conversation.
Accommodation of Disabilities or Religious Commitments. If you qualify for
accommodations because of a disability, please submit to your professor a letter from
Disability Services in a timely manner (for exam accommodations provide your letter at
least one week prior to the exam) so that your needs can be addressed. Disability
Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact
Disability Services at 303-492-8671 or by e-mail at dsinfo@colorado.edu. If you have a

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temporary medical condition or injury, see Temporary Injuries guidelines under the Quick
Links at the Disability Services website and discuss your needs with your professor.

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to
deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have
conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, you
must alert us to exam conflicts within the first two weeks of the semester, and within 24
hours after assignment is made that you have a conflict with. See full details at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

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I, the undersigned, agree that I have read and understood the policies described in the
syllabus for MCEN 5021 Introduction to Fluid Mechanics. I hereby agree to comply with
these policies.

PRINT NAME__________________________________

SIGNATURE____________________________________

DATE_________________

10

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