MAE 3240

Heat Transfer

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

This is the first course in heat transfer, with an emphasis on understanding the fundamental physics underlying different heat transfer processes, making proper approximations for analytical heat transfer calculations and numerical methods for engineering heat transfer analysis. Topics include: introduction to three modes of heat transfer, thermal resistance network analysis, steady-state conduction, transient conduction, numerical methods for heat conduction and convection using ANSYS, free convection, heat exchangers, radiation processes and properties.

Prerequisites MAE 3230.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2026SP, 2025SP, 2024SP, 2023SP

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to become proficient with energy balances to develop models of heat flow in various systems.
• Students will be able to learn terminology and principles of heat transfer.
• Students will be able to develop broad understanding of basic modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) and become proficient at predicting heat transfer rates for these modes including computing the heat transfer coefficient for forced and natural convection.
• Students will be able to become proficient at computing radiative exchange between surfaces.
• Students will be able to apply basic heat exchange theory to predict heat exchanger performance for standard designs.

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