|
|
Additional information about Acoustics at Kettering University
Required Courses
PHYS-382, Acoustics I: Sounds and Sources (4-0-4) [Offered Summer and Fall terms only]
An introduction to acoustics, the study of sound. Topics include: simple harmonic oscillation and mechanical waves; wave interference and diffraction; sound pressure levels; sound propagation outdoors; microphones and instrumentation; octave band and FFT analysis of sound signals; the ear and human hearing; the acoustic wave equation and solutions; acoustic impedance and intensity; plane, spherical, and cylindrical waves; radiation from simple and complex sound sources; acoustics of large and small rooms; sound in pipes; acoustic filters and resonators; sound absorption; and noise control applications.
Pre-requisites: PHYS-222, Electricity & Magnetism; MATH-204, Differential Equations
PHYS-482, Acoustics II: Sound and Vibration (4-0-4) [Offered Winter and Spring terms only]
A continuing look at the study of acoustics, focusing on structural acoustics and vibration. Topics include 1-dof oscillators; resonance; damping phenomena; mechanical impedance and circuit analogies; loudspeaker performance and design; coupled oscillators; dynamic absorbers; experimental modal analysis; plucked and struck strings with realistic boundary conditions; vibrational modes of membranes and plates; longitudinal, torsional and bending waves in bars; sound transmission through walls; and ultrasonic waves in solids. Additional topics will include the acoustics of musical instruments, thermoacoustic refrigerators, architectural acoustics and noise control, and acoustics of the automobile.
Pre-requisites: PHYS-382, Acoustics I: Sounds and Sources
PHYS-484, Acoustical Measurements: (2-4-4) [Available when 6 or more students request it]
A laboratory oriented course covering measurement techniques and instrumentation in acoustics with noise and vibration control applications. The first portion of the course will include required laboratory experiments involving microphone and accelerometer calibration, sound signal analysis, human hearing, frequency analysis (octave band and FFT), source directivity, sound absorption, room acoustics and reverberation times, acoustic filters and mufflers, loudspeaker testing, experimental modal analysis, mechanical impedance measurements, modal testing of plates and membranes. The latter portion of the course will encompass an extensive individual student research project involving the measurement and analysis of an acoustic and/or vibrating system.
Pre-requisites: PHYS-482, Acoustics II: Sound and Vibration
EE-332, Digital Signal Processing: (4-0-4)
Basic principles, design concepts, and applications of digital signal processing. Topics include: analysis of frequency response characteristics of discrete-time systems using z-transforms; design of infinite and finite impulse response filters; spectral analysis using Fast Fourier Transform methods; and study of DSP hardware and algorithms and analog and digital converters. Includes experimental design projects with digital signal processing systems.
Pre-requisites: EE-230, Signals and Systems
EE-430, Communication Systems: (4-0-4)
The study of methods used in electronic communication systems. Topics include: Fourier Transforms; analysis of distortion over a communication channel; autocorrelation of deterministic and random signals; energy and power spectral density; amplitude modulation; frequency modulation; phase modulation; digital line coding and modulation; and communication circuitry.
Pre-requisites: EE-230, Signals and Systems
MECH-330, Dynamical Systems I (4-0-4)
Fundamental topics include undamped free vibration, damped free vibration, forced vibration with harmonic excitation, transient vibration, two degree-of-freedom systems, multi-degree-of-freedom systems, vibration absorbers, and vibration measuring instruments. This course provides basic principles and methods underlying the steady state and dynamic characterization of physical systems and components. Construction of mathematical models by bond-grah and simulation of systems by digital computers are emphasized.
Pre-requisites: MECH-310, Mechanics III
MECH-516, Introduction to Finite Element Analysis with Structural Application: (3-2-4)
The theory of the Finite Element Method will be introduced. Applications of static and dynamic finite element analysis of real world mechanical systems will be performed. Commercial F.E.A. codes such as SDRC/I-DEAS and MSC/NASTRAN will be utilized.
Pre-requisites:MECH-212,Mechanics II; MECH-310, Mechanics III; MECH-330, Dynamical Systems I
PHYS-498, Independent Study in Physics
Occassionally students will ask to work an acoustics research project with one of the appied physics acoustics faculty. Past independent study projects have included: radiation of sound energy in the near-field and far-field of a tuning fork, acoustic and vibrational analysis of the kalimba, binaural hearing and sound localization, measuring the acoustic end correction for an open pipe, building artificial lips to play a trombone, an acoustic impedance probe, loudspeaker design and performance, vibrational analysis of bolted versus glued guitar necks.
