PHYS 7601

Foundations of Fluid Mechanics I

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

Foundations of fluid mechanics from an advanced viewpoint, including formulation of continuum fluid dynamics; kinematic descriptions of fluid flow, derivation of the Navier-Stokes equations and energy equation for compressible fluids; and sound waves, viscous flows, boundary layers, and potential flows.

Prerequisites REF-FA25/Corequisites REF-FA25 MAE 3230 or higher, in addition to basic knowledge in vector calculus, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, and complex variable analysis. Corequisites: None.

Enrollment Priority REF-FA25 Enrollment limited to: Graduate students.

Last 4 terms offered (None)

Outcomes REF-FA25

• Students will be able to identify important fluid properties and physical processes in fluid flows.
• Students will be able to formulate mathematical models for fluid flows.
• Students will be able to select methods of analysis and computation.
• Students will be able to develop solutions and interpret them in physical terms.
• Students will be able to explain what was learned in written and oral form.

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