Module manager: Ben Mosley
Email: b.j.mosley@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module will help you understand the nature of sound and how sound behaves. You will explore acoustic principles relating to musical instruments and room acoustics and then apply these to more specific situations such as critical listening and acoustic performance. You will also learn about speech, speech intelligibility and how the human brain processes acoustic information. You will learn new skills in the measurement and analysis of sound and apply this to a case study assignment of your choice. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The overall aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the nature and behaviour of sound and enable you to apply this to the exploration of an acoustic case study in your own area of interest. The objectives of the module are to:
- Explore the behaviour of sound in order to understand the requirements for spaces where activities such as musical performance, speech and critical listening take place.
- Explore the variety of standards documents that relate to musical acoustics and how these can be applied in practical situations.
- Use a range of software and hardware tools for the measurement and analysis of sound.
- Measure, evaluate and analyse sound in musical specific environments.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Apply an understanding of acoustic principles to the analysis and solution of complex acoustic problems
2. Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, in the measurement of acoustic phenomena, recognising their limitations.
3. Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex acoustic problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed
4. Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences
5. Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 180 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will be required to submit a brief (formative) proposal for their case study that the module team will provide feedback on. Opportunities will be provided in later seminar sessions for students to share their findings and measurements with their peers and receive feedback. Q and A sessions will be included in all seminars to ensure students can receive appropriate guidance on their case study work.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Case Study | report on a chosen acoustic case study | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 06/02/2026
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