EC3450 Fundamentals of Ocean Acoustics

Introduction to various mathematical techniques (both exact and approximate), special functions (e.g., Bessel functions, Hankel functions, and Legendre polynomials), orthogonality relationships, etc., that are used to model and solve real world problems concerning the propagation of sound in the ocean. Topics include, for example, reflection and transmission coefficients, ocean waveguide pulse-propagation models based on normal mode and full-wave theory, the WKB approximation, three-dimensional ray acoustics, and the parabolic equation approximation.

Prerequisite

Standard undergraduate sequence of calculus and physics courses for engineering and science students.

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

·       Knowledge of various mathematical techniques (both exact and approximate) that can be used to model and solve real world problems involving the propagation of sound in the ocean medium.

·       Ability to compute important acoustical quantities such as SPL, SL, and TL; reflection and transmission coefficients; the total number of propagating normal modes in the ocean along with their corresponding group speeds, travel times, and angles of propagation; time-average radiated power of sound sources; ray paths and their important acoustical parameters; etc.