Module overview
Acoustical engineers play a vital role in almost every field of technology, from the built environment to transport, from audio systems to green energy production, from underwater communication to medical imaging and treatment.
Acoustical engineers need to understand the physical mechanisms of sound wave generation, propagation, but they also need to understand the way we hear and respond to sound, the way acousticians quantify and measure sounds. Beyond that acoustical engineers need to know how their role addresses the needs of society, how to communicate, both with engineers from other disciplines and the general public, and what their professional and ethical responsibilities are.
This module will be the first step in your journey to becoming a professional acoustical engineer. You will begin the task of learning the physics of sound and the nature of hearing, and by studying real-world engineering scenarios you will learn how an acoustical engineer can contribute to a better world.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The role of an acoustical engineer, their relationship to society and their ethical responsibilities. Contributes to AHEP outcomes C8 (Ethics), C9 (Risk management) and C11 (EDI), as well as C18 (Lifelong learning).
- The basic anatomy and functioning of the human auditory system
- The nature, measurement and analysis of acoustic signals. Contributes to AHEP outcome C1 (Science, mathematics and engineering principles).
- The qualitative behaviour of acoustic waves
- The mathematical description of plane acoustic waves in the time and frequency domains. Contributes to AHEP outcome C1 (Science, mathematics and engineering principles).
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Use a sound level meter and be able to measure sound pressure levels which are calibrated and repeatable, with awareness of the uncertainty and factors that might affect the measurements. Contributes to AHEP outcome C12 (Practical and workshop skills).
- Plot and interpret Frequency-Response Functions (FRFs) of linear time-invariant systems. Contributes to AHEP outcome C17 (Communication).
- Use the standing-wave method to measure the acoustic absorption of a material sample. Contributes to AHEP outcome C12 (Practical and workshop skills).
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Calculate Sound Pressure Levels (SPLs) from multiple, uncorrelated acoustic pressure signals. Contributes to AHEP outcome C1 (Science, mathematics and engineering principles).
- Solve normal-incidence acoustic plane-wave radiation, reflection and transmission problems in the time and frequency domains. Contributes to AHEP outcome C1 (Science, mathematics and engineering principles).
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Write a report of an engineering measurement procedure. Contributes to AHEP outcome C17 (Communication).
- Write a technical essay with citations to published literature. Contributes to AHEP outcome C4 (Technical literature).
Syllabus
Acoustical Engineering:
1. The role of an acoustical engineer
2. Duties and ethical responsibilities
Sound Perception
1.Introduction to Acoustics and Sound Perception
2.The human auditory system and the assessment of hearing
3.Acoustic metrics and their uses
4.Noise, its measurement and its regulation
Physical Acoustics
1.Introduction to wave motion
2.The governing equations of acoustics
3.Time-domain plane-wave acoustics
4.Frequency-domain plane-wave acoustics
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
In each of the two semesters we will study a real-life engineering scenario. We will explore the societal and environmental benefits and costs of the activity, and look at the role of the acoustical engineer within the activity, as well as their professional and ethical responsibilities. We will gather data from a real-life measurement procedure and explore how the data can be processed, visualised, and used to support the engineering process.
Technical material will be taught using the ‘flipped classroom’ method, whereby written and video material is provided in advance to facilitate active discussion during classroom sessions. Links with other modules you’re taking will be emphasised throughout.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Wider reading or practice | 22 |
| Completion of assessment task | 16 |
| Revision | 21 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 21 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 24 |
| Lecture | 46 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Essay
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Problem Sheets
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Lab Report
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Quizzes
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Lab Report | 10% |
| Essay | 10% |
| Open Book Exam | 80% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External