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Classical & Biological Fluid Dynamics - MAT00093H

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  • Department: Mathematics
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

Fluid Dynamics aims to describe the movement of liquids and gases. It formulates arguably one of the most successful applied mathematical theories to reveal the mechanisms for flow over many orders of magnitude from swimming microorganisms to large scale ocean circulation and beyond. This course will explore the fundamentals of fluid dynamics and apply tools from vector calculus and complex analysis to help to understand problems relating to flying, swimming, sinking and gliding, of both inanimate objects and biological organisms.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations


Additional information

This module is taught at both H and M level.  You can only take the module once.

Pre-requisite can be Classical Dynamics OR Quantum & Continuum Dynamics.

Students should have passed appropriate courses covering the solution of ordinary and partial differential equations, vector calculus and complex analysis. Students should also have some experience of classical dynamics or introductory concepts in continuum dynamics.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

Fluid Dynamics aims to describe the movement of liquids and gases. It formulates arguably one of the most successful applied mathematical theories to reveal the mechanisms for flow over many orders of magnitude from swimming microorganisms to large scale ocean circulation and beyond. This course will explore the fundamentals of fluid dynamics and apply tools from vector calculus and complex analysis to help to understand problems relating to flying, swimming, sinking and gliding, of both inanimate objects and biological organisms.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of the module you should be able to:

  1. Analyse characteristics of a particular flow

  2. Formulate the governing equations and boundary conditions

  3. Solve these equations analytically in simple cases

  4. Analyse and understand different flow regimes

  5. Understand theories underlying fluid flow dynamics

  6. Be able to carry out exact and approximate calculations for important types of fluid flows

Module content

  • Fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics: continuous medium approximation and its applicability; the Lagrangian and Eulerian frameworks for a continuous medium. The transport theorems. Conservation of mass and momentum.

  • Newtonian fluids. The Navier-Stokes equations. The boundary conditions of Fluid Dynamics.

  • Hydrostatics. Elementary flows: uniform and shear flows; Poiseuille flow; spherically symmetric and circular flows; sources and sinks.

  • Motion of a body in an inviscid fluid. Flow past a sphere moving in an infinite fluid. Cavitation. D’Alembert’s paradox.

  • The Reynolds number. Low and high Reynolds number flows. Drag force on a body in a fluid. The drag coefficient.

  • Classical aerofoil theory: two-dimensional inviscid flows. The complex variables formalism. The method of images. Milne-Thompson circle theorem. Circulation and lift. Blasius theorem. Kutta-Joukowski lift theorem. Conformal mapping. Joukowski transformation: the wing profile.

  • Very viscous (Stokes) flows: equations and boundary conditions; reversibility; the Stokes drag for a sphere and its generalisations to bodies of complex shape.

  • Swimming at low Reynolds numbers. Flow reversibility and the scallop theorem. Taylor’s wavy sheet - dimensional analysis. Resistive force theory for swimming micro-organisms: kinematics of flagellated swimmers; the approximation; thrust; mechanical efficiency.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 100

Module feedback

Current Department policy on feedback is available in the student handbook. Coursework and examinations will be marked and returned in accordance with this policy.

Indicative reading

D J Acheson, Elementary Fluid Dynamics, Oxford University Press.

L M Milne-Thompson, Theoretical Hydrodynamics, Dover.

L D Landau and E M Lifshitz, Fluid Mechanics, Butterworth-Heinemann.

G K Batchelor, An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics, Cambridge University Press.

S. Childress, Mechanics of swimming and flying, Cambridge Studies in Mathematical Biology (2), C.U.P., 1981.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.