Course Catalogue

The Science of Musical Instruments and Acoustics PHYS1020

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Physics and Astronomy
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 1 (SCQF level 7)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

An introduction to the nature of musical sound and the basic science governing the behaviour of musical instruments. This is open to students from all colleges and requires no prior science background.

Timetable

Students undertaking this course will receive 33 hours of contact teaching - 11 three hour workshop sessions, including project work, tutorial and excursions.

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Final examination 50%

A final examination will be held in the April/May exam diet to test whether students have achieved the course intended learning outcomes.

 

Lab report 50%

The students will be required to provide one written report (ca. 1500 words), describing activities carried out in the workshop.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

The course aims to support students from both the natural sciences and the humanities in developing an understanding of musical sound from the point of view of the physical sciences. This implies an approach based on physical principles, consistently applied, and systematically investigated through experimental work. Students will develop a basic understanding of those principles and applications, and experience of the performance and reporting of lab work.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

■ Describe the relevant underlying physical mechanisms, including sound waves, sound production, and resonance.

■ Explain how these mechanisms variously support the function of sound production systems (including musical instruments, the voice, and electronic instruments), and sound reception systems (the ear, recording systems).

■ Outline the precise ways of describing musical sound via decibels, and the various ways frequencies and spectra can be measured and scales variously tuned, in enough detail to do basic relevant calculations.

■ Carry out systematic lab experiments and observations, and describe them in lab reports.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions