Instructor Insights

Instructor Insights pages are part of the OCW Educator initiative, which seeks to enhance the value of OCW for educators.

Course Overview

This page focuses on the course 2.06 Fluid Dynamics as it was taught by Prof. Kripa Varanasi in Spring 2013.

Fluid Dynamics is a half-term course for undergraduate students in Course 2-A (Bachelor of Science in Engineering as recommended by the Department of Mechanical Engineering). Students are introduced to the fundamental principles and laws of fluid mechanics.

Course Outcomes

Course Goals for Students

  • To formulate the models necessary to study, analyze, and design fluid systems through the application of fundamental principles
  • To develop the problem-solving skills essential to good engineering practice of fluid mechanics in practical applications
 

Curriculum Information

Prerequisites

  • 2.01 Elements of Structures

Requirements Satisfied

  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering as recommended by the Department of Mechanical Engineering degree requirement

Offered

  • Every spring semester (second half of term)

The Classroom

  • A large classroom with tiered seating and several blackboards.

    Room 1 of 2 Click for next classroom.

    Lecture

    Lectures were held in this large classroom with tiered-seating and several blackboards.

  • A medium-sized classroom with several blackboards.

    Click for previous classroom. Room 2 of 2

    Recitation

    Recitations were held in this medium-sized classroom with several blackboards. Each student was assigned to one of the two recitation sections.

 

Student Information

On average, about 38 students take this course each year.

Breakdown by Year

Students are encouraged to take this course as sophomores.

Breakdown by Major

Most students who take this course are pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree as recommended by the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

 
 

How Student Time Was Spent

During an average week in the spring semester, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:

Lecture

3 hours per week
  • Two class sessions per week, each lasting 1.5 hours; 12 sessions total
 

Recitation

1 hours per week
  • One recitation session per week, lasting 1 hour; 5 sessions total. Students were divided into two recitation groups, with one group meeting on Thursdays and the other group meeting on four Fridays and a Monday.
  • Led by Prof. Varanasi to give students practice working through problems similar to their assignments
 

Out of Class

8 hours per week

Activities such as

 

Semester Breakdown

This half-term course ran during the second half of the spring semester.

WEEK M T W Th F
1 No classes throughout MIT. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No classes throughout MIT.
2 No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
3 No classes throughout MIT. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
4 No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
5 No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
6 No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
7 No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
8 No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT.
9 No session scheduled. Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture and recitation session. Recitation session.
10 No session scheduled. Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture and recitation session; assignment due date. Recitation session.
11 No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No session scheduled. Lecture and recitation session; assignment due date. No classes throughout MIT.
12 Recitation session. Lecture session. No classes throughout MIT. Quiz held. No session scheduled.
13 No session scheduled. Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture and recitation session; assignment due date. Recitation session.
14 No session scheduled. Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture and recitation session; assignment due date. Recitation session.
15 No session scheduled. Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture session. No classes throughout MIT.
16 No classes throughout MIT; quiz held. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT.
Displays the color and pattern used on the preceding table to indicate dates when classes are not held at MIT. No classes throughout MIT
Displays the color used on the preceding table to indicate dates when lecture sessions are held. Lecture session
Displays the symbol used on the preceding table to indicate dates when assignments are due. Assignment due date
Displays the color used on the preceding table to indicate dates when no class session is scheduled. No class session scheduled
Displays the color used on the preceding table to indicate dates when recitation sessions are held. Recitation session
Displays the symbol used on the preceding table to indicate dates when quizzes are held. Quiz
 

Course Team Roles

Lead Instructor (Prof. Kripa Varanasi)

  • Design and structure the course
  • Prepare and deliver lectures
  • Work through problems during the recitations
  • Interact with students during office hours

Teaching Assistants (2 students in mechanical engineering, either graduate or advanced undergraduate)

  • Serve as a resource for students during office hours, and on the class forum
  • Lead quiz review sessions before each of the quizzes