PC 141 - Science of Sound

Description
This course is a survey of the nature of sound, and the relationship between perceived quantities (pitch, loudness, etc.) and measurable quantities (frequency, amplitude, etc.). The major emphasis is on room acoustics, including recording studios, home listening rooms and auditoriums.

Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours: 6

School: School of STEM
Department: Physical Sciences
Discipline: PC

Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20240226T10:41:08
Course Review & Revision Year: 2028-2029

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture/Lab - Must meet Lecture & Lab Ratios

General Education Requirement: None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA

Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe and define various types of mechanical oscillations and perform calculations of their properties.

2. Describe the components, basic operation and characteristics of the human ear.

3. Describe the measurement systems and techniques for measurements of sound and how these physical measurements are interpreted by the ear.

4. Describe the behavior of and calculate properties of sound waves.

5. Descibe the behavior of and calculate the properties of sound in an enclosed space (a room).

6. Use the properties of various acoustic materials to control the acoustic properties of rooms used for various purposes.

7. Predict outcomes from a variety of experiments and compare laboratory results with theory

Approved for Online Delivery?: No

Course Outline:
I. Vibration, Waves and Sound
     A. Introductory Concepts - Numbers, Measurement and Physical Quantities.
     B. Sonic Measurements and Decibels.
     C. Free Fields.

II. Perception and Measurement of Sound
A. Human Ears and Psychoacoustics.
B. Musical Sound and Noise.

III. Properties of Sound.
    A. Reflection, Diffraction, Refraction, Diffusion and Comb Filters.
IV. Acoustics in Confined Spaces.
    A. Reverberation.
    B. Absorption.
    C. Modal Resonances.
    D. Schroeder Diffusers.
    E. Adjustable Acoustics.
V. Isolation and Noise Control.
    A. Walls, Floors and Ceilings.
    B. Windows and Doors.
    C. Ventilating Systems.
VI. The Acoustics of Rooms.
    A. Listing Rooms and Home Theaters.
    B. Homes Studios.
    C. Small Recording Studios.
    D. Large Recording Studios.
    E. Control Rooms.
    F. Large Halls.

Mandatory CLO Competency Assessment Measures:
None

Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 50-75%

Lab: 25-50%

Demonstration: 0-10%

Mandatory Course Components:
None

Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): Eligible for MA107, ALEKS PPL 30 or higher
Course Corerequisite(s): None
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with IRW: N/A
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required

Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 6
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details: Standard hiring requirements for the Physical Sciences Department apply. Must know the fundamentals of acoustics and the physics of musical instruments. Must be familiar with current recording technologies and audio analog and digital electronics. Must have some knowledge of music theory.

General Room Request: 435 Calkins

Maximum Course Enrollment: 24
Equivalent Courses: None
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit Accepted: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Courses is a Requirement:
Digital Audio Specialist Certificate, Recording Technology, A.M.
People Soft Course ID Number: 101103
Course CIP Code: 40.01

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Departments?: NA
Corporate Articulation Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Companies?: NA