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PHYS 230

I. Course Title: The Physics of Sound 

II. Course Number: PHYS 230

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: None

V. Course Description: 

Introduction to the basic physical principles underlying sound, music, and audio systems.  The fundamental principles of physics needed to understand waves, sound, and sound reproduction will be covered.

Note(s): Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

This course introduces the basic physical principles underlying sound, music, and audio systems.  The fundamental principles of physics needed to understand waves, sound, and sound reproduction will be covered.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

In class content and activities will focus on applications of physics towards the study of sound and to a lesser extent acoustics.  Weekly homework will be collected.  Students will also complete a small project on a topic of their own choosing.  There will be multiple midterm exams as well as a comprehensive final exam.  

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

The goal of this class is to provide students’ the ability to apply physics to the study of music, sound, and acoustics.  Students will demonstrate the following competencies.

  1. Students will be able to use and develop mathematical models of waves.
  2. Students will be able to analyze data from measurements of sound waves to determine the type of source creating the sound.
  3. Students will be able to use physical/mathematical models to analyze the superposition of waves.
  4. Students will be able to use Fourier analysis to take a complex wave signal and reduce it to the individual frequencies composing the signal (FM radio, tonal quality, and beats for example).
  5. Students will be able to describe the physical process of how sound is recorded and then played from different media.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

  • Grades will be based on a combination of homework, an independent project, and exams.  

Other Course Information: None

Review and Approval

March 01, 2021

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