Program Overview

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Single Module Psychoacoustics and Musical Acoustics, Level 7 (15 Credits)

Introduction

Music is one of the most important signals in acoustics and audio. Psychoacoustics and Musical Acoustics is about how musical sounds are made, how they can be modelled and synthesised, and also how listeners respond to them.

Course Details

All about the course

During the module, you will learn how the human auditory system works, starting with the physiology and physics of the ear, developing a solid grasp of how loudness, pitch and the ear’s frequency bands really work. The module covers a very diverse range of disciplines including physics, psychoacoustics and musicology. You’ll apply your new knowledge and skills in coursework assignments.

Teaching

Learning is mainly delivered using tutorial and seminar groups. Interaction is face-to-face wherever practical, but we also use web-based learning support packages (databases of materials, discussion boards etc.). There is a strong focus on guided self-learning.

Distance learning students can stream classes via our Virtual Learning Environment, either to participate live or watch later.

All modules are centred on a weekly programme of directed reading, supported by a detailed study guide and sets of tutorial questions. On occasion, lecture content may be screencast for watching in advance, following the ‘flipped classroom approach.

Face-to-face and distance learning cohorts are co-taught. This means that in-person sessions are streamed live for online learners, with tutors answering questions from both online and in-person cohorts at the same time. All classes are timetabled Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm (UK time). However, where necessary, it’s also possible for learners to participate beyond the co-taught format, for example through session recordings and discussion forums.

Assessment

Each module features one substantial written assignment to test the learning outcomes and cover the syllabus. The assignments are based around ‘open-ended’ design exercises and case studies based on realistic problems.

Facilities

Campus-based students will experience a modern learning environment, featuring accessible lecture theatres, AV-equipped classrooms, computing suites and multimedia libraries. Distance learners will experience our Collaborate Ultra platform, with real-time and on-demand materials.

As an acoustics student, you will interact with world-class facilities, including full and semi-anechoic chambers, a transmission suite, large and small reverberation chambers, an ITU standard listening room, audiometric test facilities and a range of advanced instrumentation and equipment.

Industry Collaboration & Research

When you study acoustics at Salford, you are also joining a community making a difference in industry, our local region and in our wider society.

Many of our academics and technicians who support your course also deliver collaborative, interdisciplinary, high-impact work in a range of local and global issues and challenges with noise, sound and vibration.

Employment and Stats

What about after uni?

Acousticians with engineering, science and mathematical skills are in short supply, which puts you in a strong position to build a career. Our Acoustics postgraduate single modules can help you specialise your knowledge in the areas of acoustics that you're most interested in to help your career development, e.g. for CPD in a specific area that you are currently employed in or are seeking a job in.

In our increasingly busy world, managing unwanted noise is a growing and significant problem. Depending on the module, you might choose to use the knowledge and skills developed in a consultancy context – working with organisations to solve environmental noise challenges – or in audio engineering research – undertaking loudspeaker and audio system design, and/or consumer audio product development.

Many of the graduates of the acoustics programmes these modules are drawn from have progressed into senior roles in acoustics consultancy, research, development, and audio design. Today, you will find our alumni working at Apple, Dolby, BBC, plus every major acoustic consultancy in the world.

Further Study

This module can be taken as a stand-alone for the purposes of continuing professional development or as part of our MSc Acoustics programme.

You might also choose to take your subject interest further with postgraduate research. Our Acoustics Research Centre is home to PhD and Research Master’s opportunities exploring a range of topics, including noise and soundscapes, sound modelling, psychoacoustics, vibro-acoustics, building acoustics, acoustic materials and audio engineering.

Requirements

Applicant Profile

Our Acoustics postgraduate modules are recommended for numerate science graduates and professionals who require education in specific areas of Acoustics. These might include:

• Graduates from our own courses wanting to take specific optional modules they didn’t select during their degree;
• Graduates from related degrees at other institutions wanting to take one of our modules;
• Employees in industry wanting to undertake modules as CPD;
• PhD students wanting Training in specific areas of Acoustics.

Applicants needing a general grounding covering all of Acoustics should consider applying to the full MSc/PgDip Acoustics programme from which these modules are drawn.

English Language Requirements

All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, however we do accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

International Students - Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

International students are required by the Home Office and/or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate before they begin their studies. You need to obtain an ATAS Certificate before you come to the UK to comply with Home Office regulations.

Entry Requirements

• An undergraduate award at 2:2 or above (or equivalent) in science, engineering or mathematics.
• An undergraduate award at 2:2 or above (or equivalent) in another discipline, together with an appropriate engineering mathematics foundation qualification.

Applicants must also have the equivalent of grade C or higher, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English.

Fees

• Distance learning UK: £1,730 per 30 credits
• Part-time UK: £885 per 15 credits
• Distance learning International: £2,840 per 30 credits
• Part-time International: £1,420 per 15 credits

Additional Costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.