ACOUSTICS & PSYCHOACOUSTICS - 2023/4
Module code: TON1027
Module Overview
This module is intended to introduce you to and advance your understanding of acoustics and psychoacoustics, using a combination of theory and example applications.
Module provider
Music & Media
Module Leader
BROOKES Tim (Music & Med)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 4
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 75
Lecture Hours: 30
Seminar Hours: 8
Tutorial Hours: 1
Guided Learning: 35
Captured Content: 1
Module Availability
Year long
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None for Tonmeister students.
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- acoustic fundamentals and the decibel;
- musical acoustics and the human voice;
- room acoustics and acoustic treatment;
- human auditory perception;
- acoustic measurement and specification;
- acoustic standards in music.
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Practical based assessment | SPL measurement | Pass/Fail |
| Oral exam or presentation | Class presentation | 10 |
| Examination | Examination (2 hours) | 90 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate subject knowledge and understanding (coursework and exam). Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Coursework 1 (SPL measurement) – measurement of specific sound source and background noise levels (addresses learning outcome 9);
- Coursework 2 (presentation) – class presentation on assigned research topic (addresses learning outcomes 15 and 16);
- Exam – written paper under exam conditions (addresses learning outcomes 1–8 and 10–14).
There are no formal formative assessment components for this module, but formative feedback will be given to you in tutorials as required, during in-class exercises, and in the form of regular revision questions in lectures.
Written feedback will be given on the coursework assignments.
Module aims
- Introduce you to and advance your understanding of theoretical and practical aspects of acoustics and psychoacoustics
- Encourage a technical awareness that will be of general use throughout your career.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Explain the transmission of sound though a medium and around obstacles | KC |
| 002 | Perform calculations relating to sound pressure, power and intensity levels | KC |
| 003 | Discuss the acoustical factors relating to the perception of timbre | KC |
| 004 | Explain the mechanisms of sound production in a range of musical instruments and in the human voice | KC |
| 005 | Explain the behaviour of sound in enclosed spaces, with reference to free, near and diffuse sound fields; standing waves; sound absorption, reflection and transmission; and reverberation | KC |
| 006 | Recommend appropriate treatment to modify the acoustics of a given enclosed space | KC |
| 007 | Explain the processes involved in human auditory perception, including pitch perception, loudness perception, directional perception, auditory masking and hearing impairment | KC |
| 008 | Discuss the measurement and specification of sound levels | KCP |
| 009 | Measure sound levels using appropriate equipment/settings | P |
| 010 | Calculate the recommended safe duration for exposure to sound of a given level | KCP |
| 011 | Discuss the methods used to measure hearing impairment | KC |
| 012 | Discuss the factors to be considered when designing an enclosed space for an acoustic purpose | KC |
| 013 | Discuss the theory and practice of musical pitch and tuning standards | KC |
| 014 | Discuss the practicalities of binaural recording and reproduction | KC |
| 015 | Research a technical topic, with guidance | T |
| 016 | Present the findings of your research to an audience | T |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: develop your skills and knowledge in acoustics and psychoacoustics, allowing modules in later semesters to build on this knowledge.
The learning and teaching methods include:
- one two-hour lecture or presentation/seminar per week;
- in-class exercises;
- practical classroom demonstrations;
- guided reading;
- small-group tutorials;
- coursework assignments and feedback.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: TON1027
Other information
N/A
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BSc (Hons)(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BMus (Hons)(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.