1. Characterizing oscillatory motion. Students will measure the period, frequency, and amplitude of oscillatory motions and how these relate to sounds generated.
2. The generation and propagation of sound waves through air. Students will learn to recognize and characterize various propagation phenomena including reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, Doppler Effect, and beats.
3. The hearing process. Students will study the mechanism for normal hearing, common causes of hearing loss, and perceptual anomalies connected with hearing.
4. Analyzing sound. Students will practice methods for analyzing a sound in terms of its frequency components.
5. Musical instruments. Students will study at least one musical instrument in detail to understand the role played by the various parts of the instrument.
6. Room acoustics. Students will experience and learn about the architectural aspects of a listening space that contribute to the acoustic properties of the space and how it impacts the listener’s perception.
7. Sound recording and reproduction. Students will learn about historical and current methods of recording sounds and playing them back.
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