Instructor: Justin Gilbert

Email: gilbertjd@lamarpa.edu

Office Hours: MW 1-2:30 pm TR 6:30-7:30pm

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.

(Optional)

Master Handbook of Acoustics by, F. Alton and Ken C., 7^th Edition, McGraw Hill TAB, 2021. ISBN: 978-1260473599

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.

None

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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)

PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills – Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material

PSLO 1: Applies commercial music sound technology to professional practice.

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.

1. Course Introduction, syllabus review

2. Fundamentals of Sound: Simple harmonic motion, elastic media, properties of waves, & simple vs complex waveforms

3. Psychoacoustics I: The Decibel scale, The Weber-Fechner Laws, perceived loudness, the audible spectrum, & equal-loudness contours

4. Psychoacoustics II: Critical bands & masking, binaural sound localization, The Haas Effect, & audio illusions

5. Fundamentals of Sound II: The inverse square law, properties of signals, signal-to-noise ratio, types of distortion, bandwidth, & filtering

6. Fundamental Wave Behaviors I – Transmission & Absorption: Boundary surfaces, transmission, conservation of energy, & absorption

7. Fundamental Wave Behaviors II – Reflection & Diffusion: Incident rays, the law of reflection, reflection specularity, & diffusion

8. Fundamental Wave Behaviors III – Diffraction & Refraction: Acoustic obstacles, apertures, diffraction, pressure gradients, & refraction

Week 1 – None

Week 2 – None

Week 3 – Quiz 1

Week 4 – None

Week 5 – Quiz 2

Week 6 – None

Week 7 – Quiz 3

Week 8 – None

Week 9 – Quiz 4, Midterm

Week 10 – None

Week 11 – Quiz 5

Week 12 – None

Week 13 – Quiz 6

Week 14 – None

Week 15 – Quiz 7

Week 16 – Final

Dec 8, 2026 at 12:30pm

90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F

Quizzes – 40%

Tests – 30%

Weekly Class & Blackboard Participation – 30%

Use of AI on any assignment will not be allowed other than for grammar or spell checking.

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.

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 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.

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 Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

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.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

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.

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.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

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.