PHYS 10500 - Sound And Music

A nonmathematical course that deals with the physical properties of sound and sound patterns, the physiological response to sound, and the psychological sensations of music. The physical principles covered include wave motion, wave properties, resonance, and analysis of tones and complex waveforms. How sound patterns are produced using musical instruments, how these sounds propagate and how they are detected and interpreted will be examined.

Cr. 3.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Explain fundamental sound concepts (oscillations, frequency, wavelength, amplitude, speed, superposition, standing waves, resonance).
2. Relate instrument design (strings, winds, percussion, voice) to wave behavior and harmonic content (timbre).
3. Use simple measurements/software (e.g., audacity/spectrum apps) to analyze sounds; interpret graphs/spectrograms.
4. Describe the perception and measurement of sound (loudness, decibels, pitch, formants).
5. Apply ideas about musical scales and simple ratios to real instruments and constructed devices.
6. Communicate findings clearly in lab write-ups and a final instrument project.