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Introduction to Sound Science (502-0-21)

Topic

Sound Science Acoustics

Instructors

Robin Glosemeyer Petrone

Meeting Info

Frances Searle Building 1483: Mon 1:00PM - 3:50PM

Overview of class

The aural environments of the places we inhabit have a profound impact on how we interpret our surroundings and our experience within spaces. In the pursuit of understanding and shaping our soundscapes, we will explore the principles of acoustics including the behavior of sound in a medium, how sound interacts with materials, and how we hear and process sound as it relates to our environment. Through an increased awareness of our aural environment, we can optimize the spaces in which sound is produced and received. Students will gain an understanding of how the spaces they occupy when they are creating or presenting their work will impact the sound that is heard.

Learning Objectives

Understanding the aural experience in the spaces we inhabit through an introduction to:


  1. Basic sound behaviors in the atmosphere.

  2. Basic sound interaction with materials.

  3. How we hear and process sound as it relates to our environment.

Teaching Method

The class will be taught via:


  1. Lecture covering principles of acoustics. The lecture portion of the course will occur during the first half of the weekly session.

  2. Professor-led examples of sound behavior in rooms. In the second half of the weekly session the class will visit a space, listening to the acoustical characteristics of the space, and participate in group discussion on the applications of acoustic principles previously discussed during the lecture while occupying the space. Acoustic characteristics to be observed will include


    1. The behavior of sound generated within the space including:


      1. The way sound encounters a surfaces; when sound is reflected, absorbed, diffused or passes through the surfaces.

      2. How room size impacts the behavior of the sound.

      3. How other sound sources within or outside of a room can impact the sound experience within the room.



  3. Weekly assignments will include exercises to demonstrate student's comprehension of acoustic principles noted above.

  4. The course will conclude with the submission of a final project. Students will select a space they would potentially use in their future careers and describe the desired acoustic room response from the space in which they will create their works. As an example, if the student intends to work in the production of podcasts, they may choose to describe the optimal room for recording the podcast.

Evaluation Method


  1. Weekly assignments will include exercises to demonstrate comprehension of acoustic principles.


    1. Weekly assignments will be due at 3 PM on Thursdays.

    2. Assignments will be returned to students on the following Monday mornings.

    3. The assignment will be reviewed during the following week's Monday afternoon class.

    4. The students will have an opportunity to correct assignments following the discussions in the Monday class review and having had an opportunity to discuss question individually with the instructor during office hours.

    5. Corrected assignments will be due on the second Thursday, following the assignment, at 3 PM.

    6. Points will be assigned topic comprehension and turning in assignments on time.


  2. A final project will be submitted at the conclusion of the course incorporating each of the weekly topics covered.


    1. The final project will be presented to the class and instructor on 13 March 2023 . The student will present their project for 10 minutes, followed by and 10 minute (approximately) Q and A from the instructor and classmates. The project presentation will be submitted digitally for review and comments.

    2. The project will be graded on the following:


      1. The understanding and application of acoustics principles.

      2. The aural and visual presentation of the materials - presenting the material in a manor the audience can understand and digest.

      3. Timely submission of the project.



Class Materials (Required)


  1. Computer with Word processing app (Microsoft word or similar), Spreadsheet app (Microsoft Excel or similar)

  2. Course Book:

    Title: Architectural Acoustics*

    Author: M. David Egan

    ISBN-13: 978-0070191112

    ISBN-10: 9780070191112

    or

    ISBN-13: 978-1932159783

    ISBN-10: 1932159789

    * Either addition of the manuscript will be acceptable.

Book Costs:

  • Amazon.com: USD 59.98 (new condition)

  • Barnesandnoble.com: USD 64.95 (new condition)

Class Notes

Useful Websites



https://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/demos.html

https://www.acoustic-glossary.co.uk/index.htm

http://resource.isvr.soton.ac.uk/spcg/tutorial/tutorial/Tutorial_files/Web-basics.htm

https://exploresound.org/educators-2/acoustics-lesson-plans/

https://exploresound.org/what-is-new/fields-of-acoustics/

https://noiseawareness.org/