535.614.81 - Fundamentals of Acoustics

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Introduction to Acoustics
• The Linear Wave Equation
• Plane and Spherical Waves
• Measures of Sound
• Environmental Acoustics
• Reflection and Transmission I
• Reflection and Transmission II
• Acoustics Sources and Receivers
• Architectural Acoustics
• Underwater Acoustics
• Atmospheric Acoustics
• Biomedical Acoustics
• Nonlinear Acoustics

Course Goals

To acquire a fundamental understanding of acoustics from the first principles with regards to propagating planar and spherical waves in various media and interaction with boundaries and apply that knowledge for several acoustic focus areas (underwater, biomedical, atmospheric, and architectural).

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Identify and relate to the proper measures of sound in both linear and logarithmic scales.
• Determine how sound will interact across different acoustic media.
• Compare and contrast appropriate propagation models for sound in different applications along with recognizing the limitations of the methods.
• Demonstrate proper experimental techniques to set up acoustical measurements for simple propagation examples.

Textbooks

Required

Kinsler, LE; Frey, AR; Coppens, AB; and Sanders, JV; (2000). Fundamentals of Acoustics (4th ed.).

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website.

Optional

There are a number of books available in pdf form via the JHU Sheridan Library.  Several relevant books are suggested below.  Some readings will come from these books, but those will be provided to the students, if they do not already have a copy of the pdf downloaded.

Pierce, Acoustics (3rd ed.)

Rossing, Springer Handbook of Acoustics (2nd ed.)

Ginsberg, Acoustics, A Textbook for Engineers and Physicists

Muller and Moser, Handbook of Engineering Acoustics

Jensen et al., Computational Ocean Acoustics (2nd ed.)

Butler and Sherman, Transducer and Arrays for Underwater Sound (2nd ed.)

Other books not available as online PDFs but still very good references

• Waite: Sonar for practicing engineers
• Urick: Principles of underwater sound
• Nielson: Sonar Signal Processing
• Blackstock: Physical Acoustics
• Hamilton: Nonlinear Acoustics

Required Software

MATLAB

It is suggested that you will need access to a recent version of MATLAB. A license is provided at no cost to you, through JHU.

Visit the JHU IT Services Portal. Log in with your JHED ID and type “Matlab” in the search bar. Click on “Matlab for Students” in the search results and follow the instructions provided.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–10 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 2-3 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, watching recorded lectures (approximately 2–3 hours per week), and homework assignments (approximately 3-6 hours per week).

This course will consist of the following basic student requirements:

• Problem set Assignments: Twelve modules will contain a graded problem set assignment that students will complete individually. These assignments are made to take more time than what could reasonably expected to be done with a timed exam.  Problems will include derivations, proofs, and computational problems.  The computational problems can be worked in any programming language (30% of total grade)
• Lab Exercises: Six modules will contain a graded lab exercise. The labs will require individual lab setup and data collection, and results will be compared within small groups.  These exercises do not require any special equipment outside of a standard cell phone and computer.  The labs will focus on experimental techniques, acoustic propagation, and simple data processing methods. (15% of total grade)
• Exams: Graded timed exams will be given after Module 7 and at the conclusion of the course. These exams focus on the conceptual application of acoustics and there will be limited derivations or computations.  The midterm will focus on the first half of the lectures and the final exam will cover the entire class (35% of total grade, 15% for midterm and 20% for final)
• Course Project: The course project is designed to allow the student to “own the class” by allowing the student to dive deep into an acoustics topic that is interesting to the individual.  The projects will be showcased to the class as a 10-15 min presentation.  Each presentation should cover the motivation, review of the relevant acoustic concepts, description of the added complexity to the project, summary of results, and relevant conclusions. (20% of total grade)
  

Grading Policy

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.