Academic year 2014-15
Acoustic Engineering
| Degree: | Code: | Type: |
| Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science | 22635 | Optional subject |
| Bachelor's Degree in Telematics Engineering | 22582 | Optional subject |
| Bachelor's Degree in Audiovisual Systems Engineering | 21605 | Compulsory subject, 2nd year |
| ECTS credits: | 4 | Workload: | 100 hours | Trimester: | 1st |
| Department: | Dept. of Information and Communication Technologies |
| Coordinator: | Enric Guaus |
| Teaching staff: | Enric Guaus Sergio Giraldo Dani Arteaga |
| Language: | Catalan |
| Timetable: | |
| Building: | Communication campus - Poblenou |
This course presents the fundamentals of acoustic engineering to the audiovisual engineering students. The goal of this course is the comprehension of the physic phenomena included in the acoustic processes, specifically the analysis of sound generation, propagation and perception. The course also provides the required mathematical knowledge and examples focused on the everyday life and music. It also introduces some concepts of psychoacoustics and musical acoustics.
It is highly reccommended a strong background in harmonic motion and waves, as well as some knowledge on mathematical analysis, differential equations and complex numbers. Some of these concepts will be reviewed during the course.
It is necessary to have taken the Numeric Calculation and Methods, Linear Algebra and Discrete Mathematics, Waves and Electromagnetism and Differential Equations.
| Transferable skills | Specific competences |
|---|---|
|
Instrumental 1. Capacity to analyze and summarize. 2. Problem resolution. 3. Oral and written communication. Interpersonal 4. Teamwork. 5. Capacity to be critic and self- critical. Systemic 6. Capacity to put knowledge and methodologies into practice. 7. Concern about quality. |
1. Know and understand the mathematical and physical suitable concepts to describe the behaviour of the acoustic field. 2. Understand and know how to use suitable concepts to describe some different aspects about sound generation. 3. Understand approximations that describe sound propagation by means of lineal differential equations, and also its physical and mathematical/operational relevance. 4. Understand basic notions of human psychoacoustics. 5. Understand inherent problems in systematic and scientific study of psychoacoustics, and also the related methodology. 6. Understand how to put into practice some theoretical concepts of acoustics into technological process. |
Learning aims
The students should manage to understand basic physical phenomena which describe and govern the acoustic field, from its generation, propagation and interaction with the spaces where it is generated, to its interaction with human auditory systems. During this process, students should learn how to use physical and mathematical language to describe and predict this type of phenomena, and they also should understand that the methodology developed in the sound perception field is necessary.
General criteria of evaluation
The subject will have a final exam including evaluation of all the list of topics discussed during the three parts of the subject (lectures, seminars and laboratories).
Furthermore, the students will have to hand in each essay, and they have to pass the final exam and these essays separately. If these requirements are achieved, the final mark will be:
Mark = 0.65 * Final exam + 0.35 * Essays.
During laboratory sessions, the students will work on some activities which test their skills to solve practical problems and implement algorithms by computer programs. Some activities must be done individually and other in group.
Before each seminar, the students will be given a collection of problems to solve individually before the session, as a previous preparation for the seminar. These problems belong to concepts or knowledge explained during lectures and practiced during laboratory sessions. During the seminar, all the students must participate in the resolution of problems which have been handed in previously and in the resolution of other additional problems. The evaluation of this activity is focused on student’s participation during seminar sessions.
| Activity | Schedule | Recoverable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written tests |
Final exam |
End of trimester |
Yes |
| Written reports |
Seminar sessions |
The whole course |
No |
|
Practice tests |
Laboratory session |
2 weeks periodicity |
No |
Details about competences
| Competencias a alcanzar en la asignatura | Indicador de alcance | Procedimiento de evaluación | Período |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Capacity to analyze and summarize. 2. Problem resolution. |
1. Capacity to suggest problem solutions.
|
1. Evaluation of essays, seminars and final exam. |
1. During the entire term. |
|
3. Teamwork. 4. Capacity to be critic and self- critical. |
1. Participation in seminars. | 1. Evaluation of seminars. | 1. During the entire term. |
|
5. Oral and written communication. 6. Capacity to put knowledge and methodologies into practice. 7. Concern about quality. |
1. Correct oral and written expositions. | 1. Evaluation of essays, seminars and final exam. | 1. During the entire term. |
|
1. Know and understand the mathematical and physical suitable concepts to describe the behaviour of the acoustic field. 2. Understand and know how to use suitable concepts to describe some different aspects about sound generation. 3. Understand approximations that describe sound propagation by means of lineal differential equations, and also its physical and mathematical/operational relevance. 4. Understand basic notions of human psychoacoustics. 5. Understand inherent problems in systematic and scientific study of psychoacoustics, and also the related methodology. 6. Understand how to put into practice some theoretical concepts of acoustics into technological process. |
1. Carry out correctly all the subject’s tests.
|
1. Evaluation of essays, seminars and final exam. | 1. During the entire term. |
Content units
Methodological approach of the subject
The usual learning process of each unit is composed of: one lecture, one seminar and one laboratory session. Each unit starts with a lecture which includes the presentation of some theoreticopractical fundamentals. This lecture is carried out in a big group. The student must complement this activity with a detailed reading of his notes and additional material that the teacher provides. For example, one lecture which lasts 2 hours, conveniently used, will require a student additional work out of the classroom which must last 1 hour.
Later, there will be a seminar focused on problems and activities resolution in order to put into practice all the concepts and techniques learned during the lecture. The students will be given just the solutions of the first activities of the session, but not the rest. The aim is that students consolidate the fundamentals in order to subsequently solve more complex problems. This activity is carried out in small seminar groups and all the students must participate actively in the problem resolutions.
The next step of the learning process is the laboratory or practical session. Some practical problems are launched. They require a previous solution planning and they must include several concepts and techniques. Some of these essays must be done individually and other in group. It is assumed that the students also work on this activity out of the classroom.
The last step of the learning process of each unit is to take a final theoretical exam in order to check if the students have acquired all the competences required.
Time organization: sessions, learning activities and estimated time
To be announded each term.
Learning information resources. Basic bibliography (on paper or electronic media)
Learning information resources. Additional bibliography (on paper or electronic media)
Didactic resources. Subject learning material.