Acoustics

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

Objectives: The objective of the course is to give a general introduction to the fundamental principles of acoustics / ultrasound, with emphasis on physical mechanisms, laws, and relationships. The course shall convey an understanding of central basic methods and topics that are relevant in practical applications of acoustics and ultrasound.

Contents: The course gives an introduction to fundamental methods in acoustics, as a basis for basic research within acoustics and ultrasonics as well as for technological industrial applications. The course addresses vibrating bodies; standing waves in strings, membranes and bars; propagation of sound waves; sound sources and sound fields; transmission and reflection; sound absorption; acoustic resonators and waveguides; hearing; room acoustics; acoustic transducers; and underwater acoustics. The course gives a general introduction to acoustics / ultrasonics, with emphasis on physical principles. It forms basis for further studies in experimental and theoretical acoustics / ultrasonics, within a range of application areas (such as marine acoustics, medical ultrasound, petroleum acoustics, piezoelectric transducers, audio acoustics, etc.). The course can be of interest for students in related fields, such as optics and industrial instrumentation.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, the student shall have the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general expertise:

Knowledge:

  • explain central concepts, laws, and models in acoustics,
  • explain fundamental physical principles underlying the generation and propagation of sound waves in gas and liquid.

Skills:

  • use the fundamental laws and relationships to solve relatively  simple problems in acoustics.

General expertise:

  • The student has insight in fundamental principles of acoustics / ultrasound, with emphasis on physical mechanisms, laws, and relationships, and understanding of central basic methods and topics that are relevant in practical applications of acoustics and ultrasound.

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Bachelor, Master

Semester of Instruction

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Access to the Course
For registering at the course there is a requirement of study right at the PhD education at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and that possible requirements for prior knowledge are fulfilled.
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, Excercises
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
None
Forms of Assessment
Oral exam.  Constitutes 100 % of the grade.
Grading Scale
The grading scale used for the exam is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, and grade F is fail.
Assessment Semester
Exam is arranged every semester.
Reading List
The literature list is to be ready within December 1 for education in the spring semester, and will be published at MittUiB, under «Files».
Course Evaluation
The students shall evaluate the course as prescribed by the quality assurance system of UiB and the department.
Examination Support Material
None
Course Coordinator
Per Lunde, professor