A Case-Based Learning Methodology for the Study of Thermodynamic Cycles

Applied Thermodynamic Assignments Using MS Excel

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18260/2-1-370.660-138438

Keywords:

Thermodynamics, Active learning, Computational Tools

Abstract

This study presents a case-based teaching methodology for analyzing power and refrigeration cycles in a sophomore year Applied Thermodynamics course and therefore increasing the students’ understanding of these cycles. Structured assignments in MS Excel incorporated key engineering concepts, such as environmental aspects, to enhance student engagement as well as establishing interconnections between courses offered throughout the program. The 2023 implementation showed higher acceptance and participation than in 2021, leading to improved results.

Author Biographies

Juan Carlos Domínguez, Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Deparment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Spain

Juan Carlos Domínguez, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Complutense University of Madrid. He is the coauthor of several communications to education conferences and journals focused on education tools and case‐based learning. ORCID: 0000-0002-7930-5979

Corresponding author: jucdomin@ucm.es

Julián García, Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Deparment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Spain

Julián García, PhD is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Complutense University of Madrid. He has taught in several courses in the BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering for more than 25 years. He is the coauthor of several communications in education conferences focused on education tools and case‐based learning. ORCID: 0000-0003-1386-4003

Victoria Rigual, Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Spain

Victoria Rigual, PhD is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Complutense University of Madrid. She is involved in the teaching of several courses in the BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering, including both hands‐on and virtual labs. Her research is focused on biorefinery processes. She presented communications in education conferences focused on LCA and case‐based learning. ORCID: 0000-0001-7216-1506

M. Virginia Alonso, Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Spain

M. Virginia Alonso, PhD is a Professor at the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Complutense University of Madrid. She has taught in several courses in the BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering, including Process Engineering and Projects Design. She is the coauthor of more than 10 communications in education conferences and articles in international education journals. ORCID: 0000-0002-9210-4899

Mercedes Oliet, Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Spain

Mercedes Oliet is a professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the Complutense University of Madrid. She has taught several courses in the BSc and MSc programs in Chemical Engineering and currently serves as the academic coordinator of the BSc in Chemical Engineering. She is the co-author of more than 20 contributions to education conferences and articles published in international education journals. ORCID: 0000-0001-8792-3497

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Published

2025-11-26

Issue

Ahead of Print (Articles ASAP)

Section

Manuscripts