Fluid Mechanics Course | IIT Kanpur | Prof. Sanjay Mittal | Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 305 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Thermo Fluids, Propulsion |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the World of Fluids: A Premier Course from IIT Kanpur
Fluid Mechanics forms the bedrock of countless engineering marvels, from soaring aircraft and efficient cars to advanced propulsion systems and even the aerodynamics of a soccer ball. Understanding how fluids behave is crucial for innovators in aerospace, mechanical, and related fields. We are thrilled to present a detailed overview of a comprehensive 12-week course designed to build a strong foundation in this vital subject, taught by one of India's most distinguished professors.
Meet Your Instructor: Professor Sanjay Mittal
This course is led by Prof. Sanjay Mittal, a renowned educator and researcher from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur. With an undergraduate degree from IIT Kanpur and a graduate education from the University of Minnesota, USA, Prof. Mittal brings a wealth of knowledge and international perspective.
His research expertise is vast, encompassing fluid-structure interactions, bluff body flows, aerodynamic optimization, and even sports aerodynamics. A passionate teacher, he is the recipient of the Excellence-in-Teaching Award and the Gopal Das Bhandari Distinguished Teacher Award from IIT Kanpur. His academic excellence is further recognized by his fellowship in prestigious academies like the Indian National Academy of Engineering and the Indian National Science Academy, and by winning the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in Engineering Sciences.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
This undergraduate-level course is meticulously structured to introduce the fundamental concepts of Fluid Mechanics and demonstrate their direct application to real-world engineering problems.
ABOUT THE COURSE: The journey begins with the application of conservation laws for mass and force. You'll master dimensional analysis to identify key parameters and understand similitude for effective modeling. The course uniquely connects theory to practice, with applications ranging from industrial systems to the fluid dynamics of sports balls, making complex concepts tangible and engaging.
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
• Undergraduate students in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
• Students preparing for competitive exams like GATE.
PREREQUISITES: A foundational understanding of first-year mathematics courses.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is divided into a logical progression of topics, ensuring a smooth learning curve from basics to advanced applications.
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Introduction, continuum hypothesis, stress tensor, fluid statics, and kinematics. |
| Week 3-4 | Rate of deformation, vorticity, Newtonian fluid model, Reynolds Transport Theorem, and conservation laws. |
| Week 5-6 | Exact solutions (pipe flow, parallel plates), Reynolds experiments, energy equations, and the Bernoulli Equation. |
| Week 7-8 | Flow measurement devices, similitude & modeling, pipe flow analysis, and friction losses. |
| Week 9-10 | Flow regimes, low/high Reynolds number flows, boundary layer concept, and inviscid potential flows. |
| Week 11-12 | Flow past cylinders, separation, bluff bodies, lift generation (Magnus effect), and fluid dynamics in sports. |
Recommended Textbooks
To complement the lectures, the course recommends three authoritative texts, providing multiple perspectives and in-depth reference material:
- F.M. White, “Fluid Mechanics,” Tata McGraw Hill, 2011.
- R. W. Fox, P. J. Pritchard and A. T. McDonald, “Introduction to Fluid Mechanics”, Wiley, 8th Edition, 2011.
- V. Gupta and S.K. Gupta, “Fluid Mechanics and its Applications”, New Age International Publishers, 3rd Edition, 2016.
Why Enroll in This Fluid Mechanics Course?
This course is more than just a series of lectures. It is a guided journey through fluid dynamics led by an award-winning instructor from a premier institute. Whether you are an undergraduate student seeking clarity on core concepts, an aspiring engineer preparing for GATE, or someone interested in the fascinating physics behind everyday phenomena like a cricket ball's swing or a plane's lift, this course offers unparalleled value. Dive deep into the principles that govern fluids and unlock a world of engineering innovation.
Enroll Now →