PH4036 Physics of Music

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Module coordinator

Dr J A Kemp

Dr J A Kemp
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Musical instruments function according to the laws of physics contained in the wave equation. Wind instruments, the human voice and the acoustics of concert halls can be explained largely by considering waves in the air, but understanding drums, percussion, string instruments and even the ear itself involves studying the coupling of waves in various media. The concepts of pitch, loudness and tone are all readily explained in quantitative terms as are the techniques that musicians and instrument makers use to control them. The module includes a look at how digital audio of musical instrument sounds can be analysed and synthesised using a programming language such a Python.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PH3081 OR PASS PH3082

Assessment pattern

Written examinations :80%. Continual assessment: 20%

Re-assessment

Oral Re-assessment, capped at grade 7

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 lectures or tutorials.

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

120

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Derive the wave equation in one, two and three dimensions and know expressions for acoustic pressure and volume velocity for acoustic plane waves in free space and in cylindrical pipes.
  • Derive the specific acoustic impedance in free space and cylindrical pipes and the effect of boundary conditions such as side holes, branches and open or closed ends.
  • Derive the Fourier series for various waves and relate these to real musical instruments.
  • Describe beats, perception of roughness, pitch differences in cents and standard musical intervals from the perspective of the relationship between harmonic series, equal temperament and just intonation for standard musical intervals.
  • Derive approximate frequencies of the formants of the vocal tract and describe the separate roles of the harmonic series and of the formants in forming vowel sounds.
  • Develop skills in using computer programming in a language such as Python on digital audio and in report writing.

Additional information from school

For guidance on AS and PH modules please consult the School Handbook, at https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/