Course Syllabus

PHYS 1750 The Science of Sound and Music

Course Description

PHYS 1750 is a general education physical science course intended for music majors but open to all majors. Major topics will include the science of acoustics including properties of waves and wave phenomena, aural sound perception through hearing, and the production of sound with musical instruments. Major instrument classes and the physical properties of each will be examined along with musical scales and harmony.

Justification

PHYS 1750 The Science of Sound and Music is an introductory physics or acoustics course intended for music majors but accessible to others. The course covers many of the basic concepts of physics and applies them primarily to understand the science behind sound or music production and perception. It is designed to transfer to other schools in the state of Utah to fulfill Physical Science General Education (GE) requirements. For the natural sciences, science involves systematically investigating natural phenomena by organizing and condensing those observations into testable models and hypotheses, theories or laws. The success and credibility of science is anchored in the willingness of scientists to: 1) expose their ideas and results to independent testing and replication by other scientists which requires the complete and open exchange of data, procedures, and materials; 2) abandon or modify accepted conclusions when confronted with more complete or reliable experimental evidence. Adherence to these principles provides a mechanism for self-correction that is the foundation of the credibility of science. (Adapted from a statement by the Panel on Public Affairs of the American Physical Society which was endorsed by the Executive Board of the American Association of Physics Teachers in 1999.)

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students will delve into many aspects of culture and the world by exploring the physical and biological features of music production and perception. Students will understand the sound produced by various instruments commonly used in different societies and how the sound is analyzed and recorded. This will be assessed through daily assignments, quizzes, exams, and projects.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will be engaged with interaction through different sound sources and sound measuring devices. They will learn through an interactive textbook and web applets and audio software. They will be assessed on their understanding primarily through assignments, quizzes, exams, and project.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students will be expected to examine interdisciplinary problems involving sound as it moves through its environment and is then interpreted biologically by different individuals. This ability will be assessed through assignments, quizzes, and exams.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students will work through simulations and classroom demonstrations to make predictions of outcomes and then measure the results with varying parameters. They will reach conclusions based on comparisons of their observations with their expectations, adjusting their understanding accordingly. They will be assessed through assignments, quizzes, and exams.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Electromagnetic waves and sound waves are two primary sources for sending and receiving information. Principles of wave motion regarding both are studied in detail along with our physical perception of both light and sound. Sources of these types of waves along with the physiological interpretation of both along with the creation of music through sound waves are the main goals of this course. Students will demonstrate this on assignments and exams. Electromagnetic waves and sound waves are two primary sources for sending and receiving information. Principles of wave motion regarding both are studied in detail along with our physical perception of both light and sound. Sources of these types of waves along with the physiological interpretation of both along with the creation of music through sound waves are the main goals of this course. Students will demonstrate this on assignments and exams.
2. Demonstrate understanding of forces in the physical world. Simple harmonic motion and Hooke’s law are major factors in vibrating or oscillating systems. Students will observe how the restoring force is proportion to displacement in these vibrations make sound possible. We also examine the forces responsible for creating sound in all classes of musical instruments. The tension force in a string is studied and how it affects the pitch. Bernoulli's principle with fluid forces and pressure are studied in understanding tube instruments. Students will demonstrate understanding of these concepts on assignments, exams, and a term paper.
3. Discuss the flow of matter and energy through systems (in large and small scales). We examine the flow of energy in oscillating systems as illustrated in a spring-mass system and a pendulum. Students observe how energy transforms into other types but the total energy never changes. We reconcile the dissipation of sound with the change to thermal energy through friction. Students will demonstrate this through assignments, quizzes, and exams.
4. Develop evidence-based arguments regarding the effect of human activity on the Earth. Humans rely on sound and music to communicate with each other and have done so for thousands of years. The types of music and the temperaments involved in different cultures and throughout history is analyzed in detail. Students will research a musical instrument of their choice and discover the historical significance of the instrument and how it has evolved over time. Students will show this through assignments, exams, and a term paper.
5. Describe how the Physical Sciences have shaped and been shaped by historical, ethical, and social contexts. This course discusses the ancient Pythagorean society and their attempt to mathematically understand the nature of music. The challenges that they discovered in doing this and the inability of anyone to find perfect harmony in any musical temperament is a key idea. Many people throughout history have attempted to describe music in the language of science leading to many new ideas and developments in the creation of musical instruments. Music changes and evolves constantly and so does our understanding of it and our ability to teach others about it. Students will examine these concepts on assignments and exams.

Course Content

Using lectures and class discussion, this course will include most of the following topics:
Science and acoustics
Basic physical quantities and laws
Work, energy, power, and intensity
Vibrating systems and waves
Reflection/refraction/interference/resonance
Diffraction/diffusion/dispersion of waves
Perception of sound and the anatomy of the ear
Pitch and timbre
Musical instruments—strings/tubes/percussion
Musical scales and temperament
Listening environments
Reverberation
Human voice and speech
Electronic instruments and synthesizers
Sound recording and reproduction

Efforts will be made to highlight musical instruments and tuning systems from various cultures and throughout history. Class discussion will include a variety of musical genres and the cultures associated with them.