DESC9133: Semester 2, 2021

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Units DESC9133 Semester 2 2021 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

DESC9133: Architectural Acoustics Practice

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

This unit will cover a range of theoretical, practical and professional issues in architectural acoustics.Codes and standards pertaining to architectural acoustics; Method and integrity of measurement; Room acoustical measurement, modelling, simulation and criteria; Sound absorption theory, measurement and specification; Sound insulation theory, measurement and specification; Design of spaces using acoustical criteria; and Field assessment of acoustical problems in and around buildings.By the completion of this unit students will acquire knowledge and experience in areas commonly dealt with by the acoustical consulting profession. They will gain an appreciation of current issues in architectural acoustics, possibly inspiring future research.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	DESC9133
Academic unit	Architectural and Design Science
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	DESC9138
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Shuai Lu, shuai.lu@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Practical report (Simulation) Report	40%	Week 09	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Theoretical report (research) Report	60%	Week 13	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Practical report (simulation): Students will work in groups of two to deliver a written report. Students are to select a space with clear acoustic requirements and conduct detailed simulations to analyse the compliance of the space with standards (to the extent practical).
Theoretical report (research): Students will work in groups of two to deliver a short research report. Students are to select a research topic and conduct scientific investigations based on acoustic simulation, and if necessary, measurement. The assignment should include a short literature review.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction to class; 2. Basics in acoustics and hearing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	1) Principle of room acoustic modelling; 2) Rhino basics	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Room acoustics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	1) Ray-based acoustic simulation basics; 2) Room acoustics in irregular rooms	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Theory of ray- and wave-based acoustic simulation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	1) Wave-based acoustic simulation basics; 2) Comparison between wave- and ray-based simulation results	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Acoustic absorption	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	1) Reliability of absorption measurement; 2) Understanding of room modes	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Acoustic scattering	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	1) Measuring scattering in FDTD. 2) Effect of Scattering in room acoustics	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Office acoustics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Simulation and evaluation of open-plan offices	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Auditorium and stage acoustics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Simulation and evaluation of auditoriums	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Sound Insulation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	1) Assignment 1 consultation; 2) Assignment 2 distribution	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Environmental acoustics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	1) Assignment 1 Pecha Kucha; 2) Assignment 2 topic selection and refinement	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Mechanical noise	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Acoustic insulation measurement	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Unusual architectural acoustics design	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Assignment 2: Interim review	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Practice in architectural acoustics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	1) High-res measurement of room acoustics; 2) Assignment 2 consultation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Assignment 2 final presentation	Lecture (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand the fundamental principles of architectural acoustics and how they are applied
LO2. find, interpret and apply high quality information within the field of architectural acoustics
LO3. understand the principles of measurement and simulation of acoustics in the architectural context
LO4. conduct high quality and meaningful measurements and simulations in the field of architectural acoustics
LO5. clearly present and correctly interpret data from acoustical measurements and simulatons
LO6. conduct primary scientific investigations in the field of architectural acoustics

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Lectures have changed to incorporate cutting edge technology. Lecturers have been included who work in the field.

Additional information

A powerful computer will be helpful in completing this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

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