Should I take 'Physics of Sound'?

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The discussion centers on the consideration of taking a "Physics of Sound" course at a nearby university due to a lack of suitable math and physics classes at the current school. The individual is evaluating the course's value in terms of time and money, particularly in relation to future goals in engineering or teaching and the necessity of graduate school. Key concerns include the difficulty of the mathematics involved and the practical applications of the concepts learned. The course description indicates a focus on wave mechanics and its relevance to fields such as music, architecture, and human physiology. However, there is skepticism about the course's rigor, as it appears to be designed for a general audience rather than physics majors, with no mention of advanced topics like Fourier analysis. This raises questions about the prerequisites and the depth of mathematical training the course would provide.
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Hi all,

This interim there aren't any good math/physics classes at my school, so I'm considering taking "Physics of Sound" at a nearby university.

I'm wondering if it would be worth my time/money. I want to go into engineering or teaching (either way, grad school is ahead of me). How hard is the mathematics in Physics of Sound? (I would prefer that the math is hard, so that if the concepts aren't useful, at least I will have become more skilled at solving tough problems.) How useful are the concepts? What applications do the concepts have?

If anyone has taken physics of sound and could post about their experience, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Edit: Course Description Below

"
PHYSICS OF SOUND (Area 3.2) (4 credits)
This laboratory course introduces students to the physics of sound: its production, transmission, and reception. Lecture and laboratory will give students the opportunity to study wave mechanics and its application to areas including but not limited to music, architecture, and human physiology."
 
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Without seeing the course description and prerequisites, it's impossible to say exactly what it contains, or what level it's being taught at.
 
What does the course description say?
 
jtbell said:
Without seeing the course description and prerequisites, it's impossible to say exactly what it contains, or what level it's being taught at.
I have added the description up top.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
What does the course description say?
I have added the description up top.
 
EternusVia said:
I have added the description up top.

But not the prerequisites.
 
That reads like it might be intended for a general audience, and not specifically for physics majors. It doesn't even mention Fourier analysis, for example. I'd be surprised if the prerequisites were higher than the first-year freshman physics course and the associated math (basic calculus).
 

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