In 2006, Dr. Ward will be offering the following courses:

Graduate

MIE1101F: Thermodynamics 2 (offered most fall terms)

A course in which the postulatory approach is used to develop the theory of thermodynamics. The postulates are stated in terms of a variational approach that allows them to be applied to systems subjected to fields, to phase transitions, and to systems in which surface effects are dominant. The thermodynamic stability of systems is examined and examples of stable, metastable and unstable systems are discussed.

Dr. Ward also teaches the following graduate courses. Check the graduate course list on a term by term basis to see when they will be offered.

MIE1107H: Statististical Thermodynamics (currerntly being offered  - Spring 2007)

Thermodynamics is reviewed. Quantum mechanics is introduced and used to define the possible microscopic states of macroscopic systems. For macroscopic systems in thermodynamic equilibrium, the concept of ensemble average is introduced and the postulates of statistical mechanics are used to calculate the thermodynamic properties of selected systems from a knowledge of their molecular nature. Entropy is interpreted in terms of quantum mechanical concepts. The thermal properties of solids, gases adsorbed on solid surfaces, electrons in solids, radiation, and ideal gases are studied.

Students wishing to take this course should have a Thermodynamics background.

MIE1110H: Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics 

Statistical thermodynamics is reviewed. The concept of quantum mechanical transition probabilities is applied to develop a theory of kinetics, called Statistical Rate Theory. One postulate is added to those of statistical mechanics in order to formulate the theory. The objective of Statistical Rate Theory is to predict the rate of processes in terms of the equilibrium or material properties of the system. The theory is applied to predict the rate of simple chemical reactions, the rate of gas adsorption on well defined solid surfaces, and the rate of liquid evaporation.

MIE1102H: Fuel Cell Kinetics 

Fuel cell devices involve a number of molecular, atomic and electronic transport processes, as well as surface reactions. Some of the transport processes occur in bulk fluid and solid phases, but others involve molecular transport across the interface between bulk phases. In the design of these devices, one of the imporrtant issues is the identification of the rate-limiting process. The sequence of processes leading from gas-phase hydrogen at the anode and the gas-phase oxygen at the cathode to water production by a fuel cell that is operating in steady state will be reviewed, including those processes involving interfacial molecular transport. Techniques that
can be used to identify the rate limiting process in each sequence will be discussed.

Prerequisites:
  MIE1101F Thermodynamics; MIE1107H Statistical Thermodynamics

Course descriptions are taken from the MIE homepage.