Speech & Hearing Science 3340 D
Instructor: Sarah Yoho ()
Course Description: This course is designed to teach the basic principles of acoustics to undergraduate students in the Arts and Sciences who have had little previous experience with math or biological and physical sciences. The student should gain an appreciation of the concepts underlying the generation, transmission and reception of sound waves traveling through air.
Course Objectives:
A. Knowledge: Students will develop an understanding of:
1. physical measurement systems including fundamental and derived units of
measurement.
2. simple harmonic motion and the methods used to describe it.
3. Fourier analysis of complex periodic motion into sine wave components and the
synthesis of
complex waves from sine waves.
4. electrical current flow and electromotive force.
5. the concept of impedance in mechanical, acoustical and electrical systems.
6. concepts related to the inverse-square law and propagation of sound energy in free air.
7. resonance in simple spring-mass systems and complex systems such as air filled tubes.
B. Skills Students will learn to:
1. solve simple electrical circuit problems using Ohm’s Law and Kirchoff’s voltage and
current laws.
2. use the decibel (dB) scale to express relative measures of intensity and power.
3. apply the inverse square law to sound propagation and the Doppler principle to moving
sound sources.
4. calculate the resonant frequencies (formants) of simple air-filled tubes.
5. use the metric system of measurement used in electrical and acoustical instruments.
Grading: Homework and quizzes may be assigned every week of the 7 week session. Homework not turned in by the due date will not receive credit. On-line (Carmen) quizzes over assigned readings will be given each week. Participation in online discussions is strongly encouraged.
Homeworks: count 30% (of the overall grade)
Quizzes: count 35% (of the overall grade)
Final examination: count 35% (of the overall grade)
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND ALL TIMES FOR DUE DATES ARE GIVEN IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET ASSIGNMENTS TURNED IN ON TIME. NO LATE WORK WILL BE GIVEN CREDIT.
Required Text: The Science of Sound (3rd Edition) by Rossing, Moore & Wheeler
(Addison Wesley, 2002)
Additional readings and handouts will be available on the Carmen Web site.
Academic misconduct, as described in your student handbook, will not be tolerated.
University sanctions will be initiated if academic misconduct is suspected.
Dates / Topics / Reading/Homework (Due Date)6/18-6/23 / Why we study sound?, Simple Harmonic Motion, Waves and Sound, Intro to Acoustics / RMW: Chapters 1&2, HW#1 and HW#2 (6/23), Quiz 1 (6/23)
6/24-6/30 / Standing Waves, Resonance, Overtones
Analysis & Synthesis of Complex
Waves / RMW: Chapters 3-4,
HW #3 (6/30) & HW#4 (6/30)
7/1-7/7 / Cont.: Standing Waves, Resonance, Overtones
Analysis & Synthesis of Complex
Waves / RMW: Chapters3-4
HW#5 (7/7) & Quiz #2 (7/7)
7/8-7/14 / The Decibel: Sound Intensity
And Sound Pressure
Overview of Decibel Calculations / RMW: Chapter 6
HW #6 and HW#7 (7/14) & Quiz #3
(7/14)
7/15-7/21 / Electricity & Sound Recording &
Reproduction / RMW. Chapters 18-21;
HW #8 (7/21) & Quiz #4
(7/21)
7/22-7/28 / Room Acoustics: Acoustical
Design / RMW: Chapter 23
HW #9 (7/28) & Quiz #5
(7/28)
7/29-8/3 / Final Exam Available After 5 PM (EST) 7/29, Due 5 PM (EST) Friday 8/3