Sound: Physics and Perception
Visual Arts R6020
Thursday 5:30-8pm, Room 320H Prentis Hall
Fall 2014
hello.
Professor: Douglas Repetto [douglas at music columbia edu]
TA: Nolan Lem [nvl2102]
hello.

Sound: Physics and Perception

The Class

This course is a detailed and hands-on (ears-on) exploration of the fundamental physical, physiological, and psychological aspects of sound. Topics covered include sound waves and their physical nature, the propagation and speed of sound in different mediums, geological and other non-living sound sources, animal and insect sound generating strategies, sound perception mechanisms and abilities in different species, the physiology of human hearing and the structure of the human ear, psycho-acoustics and human sound perception, sonic illusions and tricks of the ear.

In-class experiments and research make up the majority of the class. Each student will design and lead at least one experiment/demo session. Students also respond to creative weekly prompts about sound topics on courseworks.

We also have visits with a number of special guests during the term.

The Schedule

The class meets every THURSDAY evening from 5:30-8pm. I get very grumpy if students are late. Please be on time. Prentis Hall is a 10-15 minute walk from main campus.

Baked Goods

Please bring baked goods to class.

Syllabus

(Schedule subject to change based on number of students in the class, the group's interests, and cosmic noise.)
  • Weeks 1-4: Physical experiments and demonstrations: speed of sound; propagation of sounds in different media; the size and shape of sound waves; physical representations of sound; basic math for sound research.
  • Weeks 5-6: Non-living sound: geological, oceanic, atmospheric, astronomical sounds.
  • Weeks 7-8: Sound generation and perception in non-humans: insects; birds; bats; aquatic creatures; singing mice and other small mammals; roars, growls, stomps, and hoots.
  • Weeks 9-12: Human sound generation and perception: the ear and hearing; the human voice and other sounds; from ear to brain; sound perception and parsing; sonic illusions.
  • Week 13: Questions of music and language.

The End

(Have some fun!)