The Physics of Music
Physics · 3 hrs Lecture
Offered: Winter Only, Every Year
One shot a year. Offered winter term only, so a clash costs a full year.
PHYS-2812 prerequisites
We couldn't read this course's prerequisites into a chain. The wording is under “Requisite courses” below.
Description
This course is an introduction to the physical underpinnings of the production, propagation and perception of the sounds that we interpret as music. After an overview of the fundamentals of both physics and music, we explore the nature and propagation of sound waves, the meaning of pure tones, and the question of how pure tones combine to form the harmonious complex waveforms produced by various musical instruments. Other topics include the workings of the human ear, and basic elements of concert hall acoustics. Finally, by studying elements of fractal music, we examine some issues surrounding the question of what is music, compared to, say, a random collection of sounds.
Requisite courses
A minimum of 30 credit hours of study [prerequisite(s)].
From the 2026-27 undergraduate calendar. Always verify details on WebAdvisor or with an academic advisor before registering.