Jul 01, 2025  
WSCC 2025-2026 Catalog 
    
WSCC 2025-2026 Catalog

NSC 110 - The Science of Sound


Offered FL
Lecture- 3 Lab- 2 Clinical/Studio- 0
4 credit hrs/5 contact hrs
Prerequisite: MTH 121 - Intermediate Algebra  (C or better)
A scientific exploration of sound and music. Topics include the physical meaning of musical terms, basic wave properties and behaviors, resonance, and the normal modes of vibration of both simple systems and musical instruments, the decibel scale, human hearing, and room acoustics. Extra time will be spent on the electronic generation of sound. Experience playing an instrument is not required.

Student Learning Outcomes:
  • Describe the physical basis of quantities describing sound, e.g. notes, timbre, loudness.
  • Explain wave phenomena including standing waves, beats, refraction, and diffraction.
  • Define resonance and determine the normal modes of various physical systems and musical instruments.
  • Apply and interpret the decibel scale.
  • Evaluate the acoustic quality of a room using reverberation times.
  • Describe the basic operation and ability of the human sound sensory system.
  • Explore electronic sound generation.