Music 100A
Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics
January Term, 2008
 


Dr. Ricky Duhaime

Dr. Larry Robinson
Craig Hall 111, ext. 2464 Moody Science 105, ext. 2345
Office Hours: by appt.  Office Hours: by appt.

General Information
         
As an introduction to the physical nature of musical sounds, this course will cover topics including
          vibrations, sound waves and their characteristics, properties of various musical sound sources,
          musical intervals and tuning systems, and the mechanics of hearing.

Text
          Berg, The Physics of Sound, third edition

Attendance
          Class will meet on the following daily schedule:
                    M-F, 9:30-11:00 a.m. (lectures/demonstrations/exams)
                    M-F, 1:30-3:00 p.m. (lab work)
          Consult the following daily schedule for any exceptions and for the meeting places, to be divided
          between Moody Science and Craig Hall.  Everyone will be expected to contribute to and
          participate in each class session, with readings given in the daily scheduled completed prior to each
          session.  Attendance is therefore mandatory, with any absence requiring immediate consultation
          with the instructors to arrange for completion of any missed work.

Grading
          Three written exams will be given on the following dates:
                    Tuesday, January 15 (morning)
                    Tuesday, January 22 (afternoon)
                    Tuesday, January 29 (morning)
          Each exam will contribute 25% to the final course grade, with the research project, noted below,
          contributing the final 25%.  All lab participation and homework assignments will be graded on an
          S/U basis, with unsatisfactory work affecting the final grade by as much as one-half letter grade.
          The grade scale will be as follows:

          A+/A/A-     maintenance of 90% average, satisfactory completion of labs and  homework
          B+/B/B-      maintenance of 80% average, satisfactory completion of labs and homework
          C+/C/C-     maintenance of 70% average, satisfactory completion of labs and homework

Research Project
         
Each member of the class is expected to spend a substantial amount of time during the course
          conducting a research project on an approved area of investigation.  The project may be in a
          theoretical or practical area, but should in some manner utilize the topics covered in the course.
          Group projects may be appropriate in some areas, but each student is responsible for collecting,
          organizing, and presenting the results of the investigation.  The final report will consist of a
          written paper and an oral class report, due at the last meeting, January 29 at 1:30 p.m.

Academic Integrity
          Students are encouraged (and expected) to seek advice and information from classmates and the
          instructors on daily readings and lab exercises.  However, all written exams and final versions of
          lab reports and final projects are to be original work.

For additional information or to schedule a performance, please contact:
Dr. Ricky Duhaime: rduhaime@austincollege.edu

 

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