Introduction to the Course

Its development funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation,* Signals, Systems and Music is a course examining the place where music and engineering come together. Students are treated to an in-depth look into the science of sound creation through both traditional musical instrumentation and digital synthesis. Course content examines the physical nature of sound and its broader relationship to engineering.  The course also includes a foray into the psychology of music, exploring the question:  what sounds good and why? As the course continues, engineering students are paired with music majors to work on assignments ranging from basic engineering projects to original musical compositions.  Moreover, the course is an exercise in creativity and encourages the coming together of multiple disciplines,  examining the often-synergistic relationship between them.

* The support of the National Science Foundation (Award No. 1044734) is gratefully acknowledged. The opinions expressed herein do not represent NSF positions or policies.