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Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC-1325 (Section: 01, CRN: 90660) Acoustics |
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| Instructor Information | |||||||||
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| Instructor | Justin Gilbert | ||||||||
| gilbertjd@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||
| Phone | (409) 984-6547 | ||||||||
| Office | Performing Arts Center - Room: 142 | ||||||||
| Office Hours | Location: Performing Arts Center Room 142 Hours: TR 3:30-5 pm |
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| Additional Contact Information | |||||||||
| Course Information | |||||||||
| Description | Principles of sound in air, sound in recording, and sound reinforcement. Topics include acoustical properties of studios, live performance facilities, resonance, and electronic and acoustic control. | ||||||||
| Required Textbooks |
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Master Handbook of Acoustics by, F. Alton and Ken C., 7th Edition, McGraw Hill TAB, 2021. ISBN: 978-1260473599 |
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| Additional Materials/Resources | None. | ||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites | None | ||||||||
| Learning Outcomes |
1. List specific characteristics of sound in air. (PSLO 1, 4) 2. Describe acoustical properties of halls, rooms, and studios. (PSLO 1, 4) 3. Measure and quantify sound characteristics. (PSLO 1) 4. Utilize electronic and acoustic control measures. (PSLO 1) 5. Identifies all main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading material; demonstrates a full understanding of the reading (PSLO- Alpha) |
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| Program Student Learning Outcomes |
PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills – Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material PSLO 2: Applies commercial music performance skill to support sound engineering practice. PSLO 3: Applies basic music industry principles to professional practice. PSLO 4: Demonstrates professional behavior as characterized by a commitment to the profession. |
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| Lecture Topics Outline |
1. Course Introduction, syllabus review 3. Psychoacoustics: Perceived loudness, Equal-loudness contours, the audible spectrum, masking, sound localization, & audio illusions 4. Signals, Noise, & Processing: Properties of signals, signal-to-noise ratio, types of distortion, bandwidth, & signal filtering 5. Reflection, Diffraction, Refraction, & Diffusion: Waveform behaviors at boundary surfaces, acoustical obstacles, & gradient media 6. Wave Summing & Comb-Filtering: Superposition of waves, phase-cancellation, the 3:1 rule, & comb-filtering for broadband signals 7. Reverberation, Absorption, & Sound Treatment: Early reflections, RT60, acoustical absorbers, tuned treatment, & bass-trapping 8. Modal Resonance & Acoustical Spaces: Standing waves, axial, tangential, & oblique modes, the 38% rule, & studio acoustic design |
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| Major Assignments Schedule |
Week 1 – None Week 2 – None Week 3 – Quiz 1 Week 4 – None Week 5 – None Week 6 – Quiz 2 Week 7 – None Week 8 – Quiz 3, Midterm Week 9 – None Week 10 – None Week 11 – None Week 12 – Quiz 4 Week 13 – Quiz 5 Week 14 – Quiz 6 Week 15 – Quiz 7 Week 16 – Final |
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| Final Exam Date | December 9, 2025 - 12:30 PM | ||||||||
| Grading Scale | 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F | ||||||||
| Determination of Final Grade |
Quizzes – 40% Tests – 30% Weekly Class & Blackboard Participation – 30% |
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| Course Policies | |||||||||
| Instructor Policies |
Use of AI on any assignment will not be allowed other than for grammar or spell checking. |
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| Attendance Policy |
Any student more than 15 minutes late will be considered absent. After one absence, all further unexcused absences will cause you to lose credit for the day as part of your weekly participation grade. If there are special circumstances related to your absence such as medical emergency, speak with me as soon as possible and your absence can be excused at instructor discretion.
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| Additional Information | |||||||||
| Institutional Policies | |||||||||
| MyLSCPA | Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA. | ||||||||
| Academic Honesty | Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty. | ||||||||
| ADA Considerations | The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241. | ||||||||
| COVID 19 Information | The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website. | ||||||||
| Facility Policies | No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited. | ||||||||
| HB 2504 | This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504. | ||||||||
| Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect | As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual. | ||||||||
| Title IX and Sexual Misconduct | LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website. | ||||||||
| Clery Act Crime Reporting |
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website. |
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| Grievance / Complaint / Concern | If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair. | ||||||||
| Department Information |
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