Course Syllabus:  Physics 20053, The Physics of Music and Speech                        Spring, 2003

Class Schedule:  8:00-9:15 Tues., Thurs.  (WS 217)

Instructor:  Bruce N. Miller,  Ph.D.

Office:  SWR 315                   Telephone: 257-7123             Email: B.Miller@tcu.edu

Text: Musical Acoustics,  3^nd Edition by Donald E. Hall (Brooks Cole, Pacific Grove, CA, 2002).

Subject: This course is a study of the physical production, transmission and perception of sound. The focus is on the characteristics of sounds which we interpret as music. In order to understand what distinguishes music from other sounds, we will have to learn the basic relationships which govern all vibrations and waves. In this course these ideas will be applied to the major families of musical instruments, including the voice. We will also consider how music is affected by the environment (acoustics) and how sound is physically and physiologically registered and   psychologically perceived.

Laboratory:  Physics 20053 satisfies the requirement for laboratory science credit in the undergraduate core curriculum. The physics department requires a minimum of ten completed laboratory assignments for all such courses. In order to insure that each student has the opportunity to complete this minimum number, we are planning a total of thirteen experiments during the semester. Because of equipment limitations, most of the laboratory experiments will be done in groups of five students, and some of the laboratory work will be done by the whole class, or large sections of the class, working together as a group. However, a written report for each assignment must be completed by each student individually. Copying of reports will not be tolerated. Credit will not be granted for a laboratory assignment unless a completed report, including all necessary data, is submitted. Most (but not all) of the experiments will be conducted in SWR327. The laboratory component of the grade is based on completion of ten assignments. Students who complete more than ten laboratory assignments will obtain additional credit.

Examinations:  Four examinations will be given during the semester at roughly equally spaced intervals. Each exam will cover a specific segment of the course. The last exam will be given during the scheduled final examination period. However, it will not be comprehensive. The student should keep in mind that science is hierarchical, i.e. it builds on earlier concepts. Therefore it is imperative that students keep up with the schedule and master the fundamental concepts at the earliest possible opportunity. If you will be away with an excused absence during a scheduled test, or experience a medical problem, please let me know in advance if possible so that arrangements for a make-up exam can be made.

Unscheduled quizzes: In addition to the scheduled examinations, a series of unscheduled quizzes will be given during the semester. Their purpose is to encourage students to keep up with the reading and problem assignments from the text. Occasionally I will also give a concept quiz to help me judge your understanding of a particular point. Concept questions are for my use and guidance in teaching the course. They will not be graded or returned, but they may be discussed in class.

Homework: There will be approximately one homework assignment each week. It will usually consist of a few problems selected from the group at the end of each chapter of the text. hThe work is required and should be completed one week after it is assigned.  It will not be collected or graded. However, some of the questions in the quizzes and on the exams will refer to the homework. The purpose of the homework is to help you gain confidence in applying the concepts you learn in the class. It is not intended to be busy work. The homework will be useful if you can work with others and gain practice in explaining your thinking. Completing the homework will help you (1) gain a stronger understanding of the material, (2) do better on tests, and (3) make the laboratory work easier. In doing the homework, you should feel free to discuss ideas with fellow students. I strongly recommend that you work an assortment of problems in addition to those that are assigned.

Term Paper: There will be an optional term paper. The subject of the paper is elective, but must deal with some aspect of the course and have the instructors approval (!). The paper should be between five and ten pages in length. It must have a suitable bibliography of at least five articles from appropriate sources (for example, professional journals, but not weekly news magazines like Time or Newsweek), or a few books. The topic must be submitted and approved by March 1. The bibliography is due by March 15. An outline of the paper will be due by April 1, and the completed paper will be due by April 15. The composition of the paper must follow acceptable criteria with regards to style and the use of references. The coverage of the subject matter must go well beyond that which is covered in the class text, and the grade will be based mostly on the new material. The university operates a writing center where you can get help with standard practice and technique. The grade of the term paper will be used to replace your lowest test score. Please keep in mind that plagiarism will not be tolerated.

Suggested Reading and Study Strategy: The material presented and discussed in the class and explored in the laboratory will roughly follow the presentation in the textbook. It will be necessary to read the relevant material before coming to class. Notice that each chapter of the text is organized in sections. I suggest that you read each section twice (in succession). On the first reading just try to get the general drift. On the second reading, take notes and record any questions. If we don’t answer your questions in the class period, see me after class to discuss them. Alternatively, feel free to visit me during office hours or schedule an appointment. At the end of each chapter is a set of problems. Most of the assigned homework will be selected from this set.

Attendance Policy:  Attendance in class is required and will be recorded during each scheduled class meeting. Each student will select a seat for the entire semester. A seating chart will be used to record attendance so it is important to make sure you occupy the correct seat. Students will not be penalized for absences which are officially excused according to TCU policy. However, it will be necessary to notify the instructor of any excused absence and explain its nature. Two unexcused absences will be permitted without penalty. Every additional unexcused absence will result in a 5% reduction of your final course averageFor example, if you have four unexcused absences, 10% will be subtracted from your class average. Your final grade will be based on the reduced average (see below). However, if your class average is passing, you won’t fail solely because  of poor attendance , i.e. if your class GPA is reduced to the D level for whatever reason, it will not be further reduced to an F. While this policy may appear punitive, past experience has shown that the class GPA has suffered badly when it isn’t enforced. No doubt the 8:00 AM class time has something to do with this. Note that each student is fully responsible for all assignments and information given in class whether or not he/she is present. Help will be available for students with officially excused absences. Examinations and quizzes missed as a result of an excused absence must be made up within two weeks.

Composition of the Final Grade:

Each test will contribute 15% toward the final course average. The laboratory average comprises 20% of your final grade. The total of  unscheduled quizzes will contribute the remaining 20%. The break points for your grade are 85% -A, 75% -B, 60%-C, 50% -D, below 50% -F.  I don’t grade on a curve so these numbers are guarantees. ­In addition, if less than 10 laboratory assignments are completed (see above) during the semester, the final grade will be reduced by one letter grade for each missing laboratory assignment. This is the policy of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Courtesy in the Classroom and Laboratory: The complaint I get most often from students is that they can’t hear me because other students are talking, eating, joking, snoring, etc. Please be considerate of me and your fellow classmates and give the class your complete attention while it’s in session. Students who distract the class will be asked to leave.

Academic Conduct Policy: The stated university policy will be followed and strictly enforced concerning all aspects of academic misconduct.

Materials Needed: A notebook, a ruler, an inexpensive calculator, scantrons (2-3 sets, one set of the large blue forms, and another small set with 15 answers), and, occasionally, some graph paper.

Physics 2053  Spring 2002     Class and Laboratory Schedule

1/15/02            Go over syllabus and laboratory

1/17/02            Start chapt. 1, properties of waves

Week 1 Lab     Go over laboratory instructions, Review kinematics and Newton’s Laws.

1/22/02            Chapt. 2 Simple Harmonic Motion               

1/24/02            Chapt. 2, Work, Energy, Resonance

                        Lab. #1, Ropes and Slinkies

1/29/02            Chapt. 3 Complete in one class

1/31/02            Start Chapt. 4 , reflection and most of refraction,                                                     

                        Lab. #2, Simple Harmonic Motion

2/5/02              Complete Chapt.4 , Start chapt. 5

2/7/02              Continuation of Chapt. 5

                        Lab #3 Interference and Diffraction of Sound Waves

2/12/02            Test #1. Complete Chapt. 5

2/14/02            Chapt. 6 Hearing, the ear., Dr. McCaffrey (Miller Speech and Hearing Clinic)

                        Lab. #4 Sound Levels of Instrument

2/19/02            Film 1

2/21/02            Film 2

                        Lab. #5 Hearing Test.

                        Students will schedule this individually.

2/26/02            Chapt. 6 Finish it with discussion of Fletcher Munson curves, etc

2/28/02            Perception of music.  Dr. Tim Hubbard (TCU Psychology Dept.)

                        Lab. #6: Perception I : Intervals, Beats, Critical Band

3/5/02              Chatpt. 7: Ingredients of Music. Complete it.

3/7/02              Chapt. 8: Sound Spectra and Electronic Synthesis

                        Lab. #7: Perception II : Tritone

3/9/02-3/17/02 Spring Break

3/19/02            Test #2 over Chapts. 5-8 and class.

3/21/02            Chapt. 9: Percussion Instsruments (normal modes)

                        Lab. #8: Spectrum of Common Wave Shapes.

3/26/02            Chapters 9/10

3/28/02            Chapt. 10 Piano and Guitar Strings   

                        Lab #9: Normal Modes and Resonance

4/2/02              Chapt. 11 Bowed String

4/4/02              Chapt. 12 Air Columns

                        Lab. # 10 The Vibrating String

4/9/02              Test #3 over chapters 9-12 and class.

4/11/02            Chapter 13  Wind Instruments

                        Lab. #11 Vibrating Air Columns

4/16/02            Chapters 13/14  (Brass Section)

4/18/02            Chapter 14 completion

                        Lab. #12: Instrument Spectrum

4/23/02            Chapter 15: Room Acoustics

4/25/02            Chapters 15/17

                        Lab. # 13         Room Acoustics

4/30/02            Chapters 17/18

5/7/02              Final Examination over Chapts 13-15, 17, 18 and material covered in class since                            3/5/02.Tuesday. 8:00 AM in WSH 217 (our classroom).

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