There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

You will engage in an advanced exploration of the fundamental properties of sound, beginning with acoustics, examining vibration, waveforms, and transmission, before progressing to psychoacoustics, which critically analyses hearing mechanisms, auditory processing, and cognitive influences on sound perception. The module interrogates listening processes, evaluating how individuals interpret language, spatial perception, and auditory scenes, alongside the role of soundscapes in shaping place, identity, and memory. You will critically examine environmental sound, spatialisation, and aural architecture, as well as the implications of hearing disorders and impairments, including noise-induced hearing loss and presbycusis, on sound design and audience perception. A key focus is on sound mapping and classification methodologies, developing the ability to evaluate and document listening experiences using repertory grid techniques, listener evaluations, and qualitative analysis. Throughout, you will apply these principles to a sound design project within your chosen form of media, integrating psychoacoustic research and listener feedback to inform creative and technical decision-making. This module synthesises theoretical frameworks, research-led inquiry, and advanced practical application, ensuring a rigorous and reflective approach to contemporary sound design.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of acoustical principles, applying advanced theoretical concepts to the generation, propagation, and interaction of sound and their implications for linear and interactive media.

LO2: Critically evaluate and synthesise research on the cognitive and perceptual processes of listening, assessing their implications for sound design and auditory experiences.

LO3: Apply advanced psychoacoustic principles to sound design, integrating perceptual models and auditory processing techniques to enhance engagement in linear and interactive media.

LO4: Critically assess the effectiveness of sound design through listener evaluation, using rigorous approaches to interpret audience perception and refine creative and technical decisions.