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Fundamentals of Acoustics
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:39
Abstract
This course provides an introduction to acoustics. It focusses on fundamental phenomena of airborne and structure-borne sound waves. The lecture combines theoretical principles with practical insights and interpretations.
Objective
This course is proposed for Master and PhD students interested in getting knowledge in acoustics. Students will be able to understand, describe analytically and interpret sound generation, absorption and propagation.
Content
First, magnitudes characterizing sound propagation are reviewed and the constitutive equations for acoustics are derived. Then the different types of sources (monopole/dipole/quadrupole, punctual, non-compact) are introduced and linked to the noise generated by turbulent flows, coherent vortical structures or fluctuating heat release. The scattering of sound by rigid bodies is given in basic configurations. Analytical, experimental and numerical methods used to analyze sound in ducts and rooms are presented (Green functions, Galerkin expansions, Helmholtz solvers). The second part covers elastic wave phenomena, such as dispersion and vibration modes, in infinite and finite structures.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Handouts will be distributed during the class
Literature
Books will be recommended for each chapter
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 60
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Fundamentals of Acoustics
The course starts in the second week.
|
No time listed | 3 h weekly |
Offered In
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Core Courses (The Core Courses in the Master’s program Mechanical Engineering listed below are indicative and include courses designed by the Department at the Master's level. With the approval of the tutor, students may also select Master's-level courses offered by other departments at ETH. These courses will be marked as non-regular in the LAG, but their categorization as Core Courses is possible if included in the approved LAG.)
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Doctorate Mechanical and Process Engineering (More Information at: )
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Deep Track Courses (At least 20 credits must be completed within the deep track courses. Surplus credit points can be counted towards the electives.)
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Elective Courses Aerospace Engineering (These subjects can only be credited as electives.)
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