Direct numerical simulation methodology is applied to analyze the three-dimensional unsteady characteristics of a separated and reattached flow and heat transfer around a downward step in a channel of expansion ratio 2.0 and aspect ratio 36. The Reynolds number Re is varied from 300 to 1 000. The flow is steady at Re≤500 but becomes sensibly unsteady at Re=600. The present numerical results of the reattachment length agree very well with the previous experimental and numerical ones. The time averaged Nusselt number is large in the reattachment region, and becomes maximum in the neighborhood of the side walls due to the longitudinal vortex.