vcc.ca
PHYS 1190: Physics of Music
Effective date
May 2017
Department
UT Sciences
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
This course surveys the physics concepts related to music and is aimed primarily at non-science students. The course covers the propagation of sound, as well as the production and perception of music. Physics concepts will be illustrated using demonstrations and hands-on laboratory activities. Students will have the opportunity to perform simple physics experiments on actual musical instruments.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
Precalculus 11 with a C or VCC MATH 0861/0871 with a C or 72% on the VCC Intermediate algebra assessment.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Perform simple calculations involving quantities related to vibrations, waves (including standing waves on a string), sound intensity and room acoustics.
- Define terms related to sound such as amplitude, compression, rarefaction etc.
- Explain simple phenomena related to sound using concepts such as reflection, absorption, refraction, diffraction, the Doppler shift, interference and beats.
- Explain how the human ear perceives sound properties such as loudness and pitch.
- Define terms related to melody, harmony, scales, intervals, and how music is organized in time.
- Describe the production of sound by percussion instruments and strings (including bowed strings).
- Define terms related to the electronic synthesis of sound.
- Explain the concepts related to resonance such as the response curve and dissipation.
- Describe the production of sound by the human voice, blown pipes, flutes and blown reed instruments.
- Explain the basic principles of transducers, microphones, amplifiers, music recording, and loudspeakers.
- Perform calculations involving harmonic intervals and tuning as well as repetition frequency and the period of a complex wave.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 50
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 10
Total Hours: 60
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 10
Total Hours: 60
Instructional Strategies
Lectures, demonstrations, concept-development worksheets, hands-on activities, laboratory exercises, and projects. Laboratory exercises will include, for example, the phenomena of standing waves in taut strings and open-closed tubes as well as an audiometry lab. Projects will utilize free 'apps' to, for example, perform spectrum analysis of musical instruments and examine room acoustics. Demonstrations will make use of equipment such as wave tanks and oscilloscopes.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
D
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Final Exam |
20 |
|
|
Project |
20 |
1-2 Projects |
|
Assignments |
15 |
Weekly problem sheets |
|
Midterm Exam |
30 |
Two midterms that add up to 30% |
|
Lab Work |
15 |
At least 5 hands-on lab activities |
Course topics
- The Nature of Sound Waves and Vibrations Sources of Sound Sound Propagation Sound Intensity and Its Measurement The Production of Music Classes of Instruments Sound Reproduction The Perception of Music The ingredients of Music (melodies, harmonies, scales etc...)
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.