PHYS 1204 - Physics of Musical Sound

(crosslisted)
(also MUSIC 1466) (PBS)

Spring. 3 credits.

Permission of instructor required. Assumes no scientific background but uses high school algebra. Although enrollment is limited, open to all students and suitable for nonscientists; does not serve as prerequisite for further science courses.

K. Selby.

Explores musical sound from a physics point of view. Topics include how various musical instruments work; pitch, timbre, scales, intervals, and tunings; hearing; room acoustics; and reproduction of sound. Science writing and physics problem-solving skills are developed through weekly assignments. Student activities include hands-on investigations of musical instruments and field trips. Students write a term paper investigating a topic of their choice. At the level of The Science of Sound by Rossing, Moore, and Wheeler.