Course syllabus for Introduction to audio technology and acoustics

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-14 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameIntroduktion till audioteknik och akustik
  • CodeVTA137
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPSOV
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyElectrical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Physics
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 38113
  • Maximum participants45
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0119 Examination 5 c
Grading: TH		5 c
  • 25 Okt 2022 am J
  • 05 Jan 2023 am J
  • 25 Aug 2023 am J
0219 Examples class 2.5 c
Grading: UG		2.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Undergraduate profile: Major in Architecture and Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Urban Planning or equivalent background.

Aim

The course aims at the student learning basic acoustics and audio as essential to modern society. This demands knowledge about the basics of sound generation, sound propagation, behaviour of sound in rooms, properties of sound absorbers, sound insulation, hearing, and basic functioning of electroacoustic components such as loudspeakers and microphones. It also concerns communications requirements in which engineers need to deal with communication systems where sound is an integral part, such as mobile telephones, virtual reality systems, voice recognition systems, radio & television and sound playback systems. This knowledge is also important for sound design of products and sound environments in our daily life.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Understand and explain the fundamentals of propagation of acoustic waves in air, fundamentals of room acoustics, hearing and voice, spatial sound perception, planning & design for good room acoustics (absorbers, reflectors, and diffusers), waves in solid media, sound radiation and generation, building acoustics, loudspeakers and microphones.
  • Apply the basic knowledge of audio and acoustics to achieve solutions for practical audio and acoustics problems.
  • Understand and apply the mathematical tools to solve engineering problems in sound propagation and electroacoustic systems.
  • Understand and explain the working mechanisms of electroacoustic transducers such as microphones and loudspeakers.
  • Recommend changes in electroacoustic systems including transducers such as microphones and loudspeakers.
  • Solve problems in audio engineering that relate to the choice of appropriate room acoustics for homes, studios, and simple auditoria.
  • Understand the significance of acoustic quality measures and human response acoustic signals.

Content

  • Fundamentals of acoustic: pressure, particle velocity, sound sources, radiation, radiation impedance, intensity and power.
  • Hearing: Ear, binaural hearing, basic psychoacoustics with regard to audio systems.
  • Sound fields in rooms: geometrical, statistical and physical acoustics.
  • Methods for adjusting room acoustic conditions: sound absorbers, reflectors and diffusers.
  • Subjective aspects of room acoustics.
  • Transducers: microphones and loudspeakers.
  • Building acoustics: sound transmission and insulation

Organisation

The course comprises the following learning activities: 13 lectures and 11 in-class exercises including home tasks.

Literature

Material produced by the division of Applied Acoustic (supplied on the course page at http://www.ta.chalmers.se/education/course-materials/audio-technology-and-acoustics/)

Examination including compulsory elements

Examination is based on a written exam and approved home work.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.