Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CA 143 D100

Sound Fundamentals I (3)

Class Number: 6192

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 1:30–3:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Prerequisites:

    Acceptance into the major, or permission of instructor. Corequisite: CA 145 or permission of instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A practical introduction to the foundations of sound and music from a variety of perspectives including but not limited to acoustics, psychoacoustics, western music harmony and ear training as well as the basics of sound synthesis and digital audio editing. Emphasis will be working towards a practical application in a creative/expressive context.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will lay a forward-thinking foundation addressing fundamental principles of Sound and Music. A wide range of topics will be introduced and explored, included but not limited to: acoustics, psychoacoustics, music cognition, sound technology, field recording, notation, and sound art, among many others. Most, importantly, the course will look to develop a basic understanding of these topics from the perspective of enriching students' individual musical practices. Accordingly, though historical materials will be addressed, the content in this course will be contextualised in terms of its flexible application to contemporary music making.

In tandem with a weekly lecture covering the topics above, there will be regular hands-on tutorials on practical skills such as: frequency band identification, principles of transduction, recording principles, and the creative mis-use of sound technology among many others.

Grading

  • Attendance / Participation 10%
  • Creative assignments 40%
  • Reading and Listening responses 30%
  • Quizzes 5%
  • Final 15%

NOTES:

Partipation (10%)

Full engagement with material (assigned readings, works, etc.)
Offer thoughtful responses to in-class discussion
Prepare thoroughly for classes and tutorials, including reviewing missed material after an absence

Creative Assignments (40%)

Creative assignments will consist of open-ended prompts relating to specific course content. These assignments will develop fluency with the material explored in class and tutorials, and give students an opportunity to apply such material to your respective artistic practices.

Listening/reading responses (30%)

At-home responses to assigned works or readings. 

Quizzes (5%)

In-class quizzes will test aural skills.

NOTE: Missed quizzes: a missed quiz may be made up during office hours with a 5-point deduction from the total mark unless the student has a valid note from a medical practitioner, employer or religious affiliation. Students will NOT be allowed to re-write quizzes.

Final (15%)

Final will consist of a written and aural component. The written component will consist of materials drawn from lectures, and will test both practical and theoretical knowledge. The aural component will consist of a group aural test.

Attendance

Punctuality is a graded aspect of attendance.
3 late arrivals to class or tutorial of 5 minutes or more equal one absence.
Each unexcused absence lowers your grade by a full degree (A becomes A-).

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.