Building on a traditional chemical engineering curriculum using computational fluid dynamics

• Successful implementation of CFD to extend chemical engineering curriculum.
• Pre/post tests of students’ knowledge concerning chemical engineering were carried out.
• Pre/post test of students’ skills regarding CFD interface plus survey was carried out.
• CFD gave students a better appreciation of aspects of chemical engineering.
• Students were provided with hands-on experience, and student self-learning was encouraged.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been incorporated into a chemical engineering curriculum at the intermediate undergraduate level. CFD has now become a component of professional life in engineering practice and to prepare students properly, they must get exposure to all aspects of their chosen profession. Issues of concern arise when mathematical modelling is being introduced into a curriculum. For example, at the practical level, it must be considered whether or not an appropriate platform has been developed to allow the students to use the software efficiently and importantly without frustration. Also it is important that students have been taught sufficient skills for the student to continue with simulations in a systematic and methodical manner. The incorporation of the CFD package into a traditional chemical engineering curriculum is described here, and evaluation results based on pre–post knowledge and skill experiments, and student survey results document successful learning outcomes and effectiveness of the approach.