Transport Phenomena Course | Prof. Sunando DasGupta | IIT Kharagpur NPTEL
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 69 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Chemical Engineering, Minor 3 in Chemical |
| 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 Core Principles of Engineering with Transport Phenomena
In the vast landscape of engineering science, few subjects serve as a unifying pillar across disciplines like Transport Phenomena. This fundamental course, taught by the distinguished Prof. Sunando DasGupta of IIT Kharagpur, offers a deep dive into the interconnected processes of momentum, heat, and mass transfer. Over 12 weeks, this undergraduate-level program revolutionizes traditional learning by presenting a cohesive framework for understanding how these phenomena govern operations in industries ranging from chemical processing to nanotechnology.
About the Course Instructor: Prof. Sunando DasGupta
Leading this intellectual journey is Prof. Sunando DasGupta, a renowned expert in the field. A Professor of Chemical Engineering and former Dean of Sponsored Research at IIT Kharagpur, Prof. DasGupta brings immense academic and research prowess. His educational journey includes a Bachelor’s from Jadavpur University, a Master’s from IIT Kanpur, and a Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA.
His research focuses on microscale transport processes and microfluidics, with over 140 publications in peer-reviewed journals. His accolades include being a Fellow of the National Academy of Engineering, a recipient of the Herdillia Award for excellence in basic research, and a Senior Associate of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Italy.
Why Study Transport Phenomena?
This course is not just for Chemical Engineering students. Its principles are vital for Mechanical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology. The unified treatment taught here reveals the underlying similarities in the mathematics and molecular mechanisms of different transport processes, a approach that has transformed modern engineering education.
By learning momentum, heat, and mass transfer together, students develop a powerful, integrated perspective. This enhances lateral thinking and problem-solving skills, allowing engineers to tackle complex, multi-faceted challenges in process design, device fabrication, and system optimization.
Who Should Enroll?
- Intended Audience: Undergraduate and postgraduate students in Chemical, Mechanical, Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology engineering.
- Prerequisites: A foundational understanding of Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer is recommended.
- Industry Support: The course is highly recognized by process industries for its fundamental and integrative approach. It is particularly valuable for companies in micro-device fabrication, sensor development, and the microfluidics domain.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is meticulously structured to build knowledge from the ground up, culminating in solving advanced, coupled problems.
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-3 | Momentum Transfer Fundamentals: Shell balances, governing equations, Navier-Stokes equations, and solutions for laminar flow in various geometries. |
| Week 4-6 | Heat Transfer Deep Dive: Formulation in laminar flow, energy equation development, and transient conduction analysis including lumped capacitance. |
| Week 7-8 | Mass Transfer & Convection: Species balance equations, introduction to convective flow, and natural convection examples. |
| Week 9-10 | Boundary Layer Theory & Turbulence: Concepts of boundary layers, Blasius solution, momentum integral method, turbulent flows, and drag on immersed bodies. |
| Week 11-12 | Unification & Analogy: Mathematical treatment of similarities between all three transports, use of analogies, and solution of coupled real-world problems. |
Essential Reference Books
To complement the lectures, Prof. DasGupta recommends the following authoritative texts, with the classic by Bird, Stewart, and Lightfoot often considered the bible of the subject:
- Transport Phenomena by Bird, Stewart and Lightfoot (Wiley)
- Transport Phenomena Fundamentals by J. L. Plawsky (CRC Press)
- Heat and Mass Transfer – A Transport Phenomena Approach by K. S. Gandhi (New Age)
- Fluid Mechanics by R. W. Fox, P. J. Pritchard and A. T. McDonald (Wiley)
- Introduction to Heat and Mass Transfer by F. P. Incropera and D. P. DeWitt (Wiley)
Conclusion: Building a Strong Engineering Foundation
The Transport Phenomena course by Prof. Sunando DasGupta is more than a syllabus; it's a paradigm shift in understanding core engineering principles. It equips students with a holistic toolkit to analyze and design systems where transport processes are key. By mastering the analogies and unified concepts presented, you will not only excel academically but also gain a significant edge in technological innovation and industrial problem-solving. Enroll to bridge the gap between isolated subjects and discover the powerful, interconnected science that drives the engineering world.
Enroll Now →