Laboratory instruction in acoustics and vibration

Eight laboratory exercises have been developed for a senior-level course in "Acoustics, Noise and Vibration" to introduce students to sound and vibration engineering. Laboratory topics include wave propagation in fluids and solids, acoustic and mechanical impedance, and signal processing. The laboratory exercises demonstrate governing physical principles, provide experience using state-of-the-art tools and techniques in sound and vibration engineering, and introduce applications in architectural acoustics and noise and vibration control. The laboratory exercises are sequenced to facilitate comprehension, with each successive exercise building on concepts demonstrated previously. In this paper we describe the laboratory exercises, explain the objectives and learning outcomes expected of each exercise, and discuss how the sequence of exercises enhances comprehension. Full laboratory procedures will be available on the Internet.