Syllabus for The Physics of Music

Musikens fysik

A revised version of the syllabus is available.

Syllabus

  • 5 credits
  • Course code: 1FA301
  • Education cycle: First cycle
  • Main field(s) of study and in-depth level: Physics G1N

    Explanation of codes

    The code indicates the education cycle and in-depth level of the course in relation to other courses within the same main field of study according to the requirements for general degrees:

    First cycle

    • G1N: has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
    • G1F: has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G1E: contains specially designed degree project for Higher Education Diploma
    • G2F: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G2E: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements, contains degree project for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
    • GXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

    Second cycle

    • A1N: has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1F: has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
    • A2E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
    • AXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

  • Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
  • Established: 2018-05-17
  • Established by: The Faculty Board of Science and Technology
  • Applies from: Autumn 2018
  • Entry requirements: General entry requirements
  • Responsible department: Department of Physics and Astronomy

Learning outcomes

After a completed course the students should be able to:

  • outline the principles for how sound arises and propagates as mechanical waves in different media.
  • explain how musical tones are created and altered in wind, string and percussion instruments, as well as with the voice.
  • describe what is meant by harmony, overtones and relations between tones in musical scales.
  • outline basic acoustic principles.
  • perform simple laboratory exercises and present the results.

Content

The course addresses the general properties of sound which is described as waves with speed, amplitude and frequency, propagating in a medium. Discussed is also what is meant by a tone and how loudness and pitch of a tone is related to the properties of the mechanical wave. Furthermore, the 12 tone scale is explained, and how intervals, harmonies and overtones are represented by wave patterns. Examples of how musical tones are created and altered in wind, string and percussion instruments, as well as with the voice are presented, as well as tuning and dissonance. The course also touches on basic acoustics and the history of music up to electronic music.

Instruction

Lectures, laboratory exercises, study visit.

Assessment

Presentation of laboratory exercises and study visit (2 credits). Written examination at the end of the course (3 credits)

Syllabus Revisions

Reading list

Reading list

Applies from: Autumn 2018

Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.

  • Parker, Barry R. Good vibrations : the physics of music

    Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009

    Find in the library

    Mandatory

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