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Sound and Music Perception - MUS00192H

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  • Department: Music
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2025-26

Module summary

An introduction to current understanding of how sound and music is processed and perceived by human beings, and the relevance of auditory perception to music performance, composition, music production, music for film and audio processing and analysis. Key concepts will be illustrated through auditory illusions (e.g Shephard tones and other sound tropes for film), popular debates (e.g. 'duck quacks don't echo') and recent news stories ( e.g. supermarkets use music to influence our shopping)

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2025-26

Module aims

The module aims to introduce students to key concepts of human auditory perception, including (but not limited to) the processing and perception of musical fundamentals such as pitch, loudness, rhythm, tempo and loudness. The scientific understanding of sound and music perception will be investigated in relation to its practical application to musical performance, musical composition, music for film, music production, synthesis and analysis. Aspects of auditory perception relevant to environmental acoustics and the acoustics of (musical) performance spaces will also be covered. Current and future research areas will be explored such as virtual acoustics, sound and music in XR/VR and generative AI for music.

Module learning outcomes

On completion of this module you will be able to:

  • Describe the main mechanisms of the human auditory system

  • Explain established and emerging theories of musical perception relating to pitch, rhythm, tempo and timbre.

  • Explain the relationship between music, movement and emotion.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the relevance of auditory perception to music, production, acoustics, composition and other media.

  • Collate, summarise and critically evaluate data and evidence from a variety of sources.

  • Curate and compile audio examples to illustrate key concepts in sound or music perception and their relationship to composition, performance, synthesis, music analysis or music production.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 80.0
Essay/coursework 20.0

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

A formative short presentation is included in module which allows you to receive feedback on your early ideas for your chosen project topic which forms the final assessment.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 80.0
Essay/coursework 20.0

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Plack, Christopher J. 2023. The Sense of Hearing. 4th Edition. London: Routledge.

Howard, David M., and Jamie Angus. 2017. Acoustics and Psychoacoustics. Oxford: Focal.

Ouzounian, Gascia. 2021. Stereophonica: Sound and Space in Science, Technology, and the Arts. The MIT Press.

Auditory Illusions and Research, Diana Deutsch, https://deutsch.ucsd.edu/psychology/pages.php?i=201


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.