This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module examines the physiological and the perceptual, and forges a link between these two frames of reference, looking at how auditory perceptions arise. It explores processes involved in the organisation of sonic sensations into meaningful percepts, providing both a theoretical and an empirical support to the understanding of how humans interpret and respond to sound and sound structures. Students will be encouraged to develop projects that relate their personal interest in sound and music to the areas of psychoacoustics, and to discuss interrelations with acoustics taught mainly through the pre/co-requisite module.
Learning and Teaching Methods
This module will be taught by means of a 2-hour seminar for 10 weeks:
Total Contact Hours: 20
Independent Study Hours: 130
Total Study Hours: 150
In addition, students will also be offered individual feedback on their work during the course of the module
This module will be assessed by 100% coursework.
Research Project (2500 words), 100%
Students carry out a research project into a pre-agreed area of acoustics or psychoacoustics using a method of research appropriate to the subject area being studied.
Level 6 students will be given more challenging tasks that draw on advanced research and techniques in order for them to demonstrate the higher learning outcomes.
Bregman, A.S. (1990). Auditory Scene Analysis: The Perceptual Organization of Sound. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
Deutsch, D. (2012). Psychology of Music (3rd edition). Waltham, Mass.: Academic Press.
Handel, S. (1987). Listening: An Introduction to the Perception of Auditory Events. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
On successfully completing the module Level 6 students will also be able to:
1) Understand advanced psychoacoustic concepts and theories and be able to offer critical analysis of these.
2) Show a critical understanding of contemporary research in the field of psychoacoustics and sound perception.
3) Develop, research and evaluate an independent, original piece of work on psychoacoustics and sound perception, which draws together and synthesises ideas and techniques from contemporary research and publications..
On successfully completing the module Level 6 students will be able to:
1) Use printed and online access to appropriate academic journals.
2) Deliver a timely, well-referenced and high quality piece of work.
3) Demonstrate core skills including time management, task prioritisation and independent learning.
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