Staff Member #1
Dr. Ersen Arslan (ASELSAN) is a mechanical engineer specializing in acoustics, vibration, structural dynamics, and noise control. He holds a Ph.D. in Acoustics and Vibration and has almost 20 years of professional experience.
ASS
ASELSAN - Sualtı Akustiğine Giriş / Introduction to Underwater Acoustics
An engineering introduction to underwater sound, covering waves, propagation, acoustic quantities, measurement, and basic sonar concepts.
About This Course
Introduction to Underwater Acoustics provides an engineering-oriented introduction to the generation, propagation, measurement, and application of sound in the underwater environment. The course begins with the fundamentals of vibration and acoustics, including harmonic motion, sound waves, acoustic pressure, particle velocity, intensity, power, and decibel-based quantities. These concepts are then extended to the physical behavior of sound in water and to practical underwater acoustic systems.
Throughout the course, students will develop an understanding of wave propagation, acoustic impedance, reflection and transmission, sound speed in the ocean, absorption, transmission loss, directivity, hydrophones, acoustic sources, and basic sonar concepts. Particular emphasis is placed on connecting mathematical models with physical interpretation and engineering applications.
The course combines theoretical explanations, graphical interpretation, worked engineering examples, and computational studies using Python. Selected topics include Google Colab-based computational examples that allow students to investigate parameter effects, visualize acoustic and vibration phenomena, and reproduce selected calculations presented during the lectures.
Live online lectures will be delivered through BigBlueMeeting.com, while course materials, lecture notes, presentations, computational examples, assignments, announcements, and supporting resources will be provided through this platform in The Open edX. The course is designed to establish a solid foundation for students who may later work with sonar, underwater sensing, marine acoustics, hydrophones, acoustic transducers, signal processing, or related engineering applications.
Requirements
Students are expected to have a basic undergraduate-level background in engineering mathematics and physics.
Useful prerequisite knowledge includes:
- Basic calculus, including differentiation and integration
- Trigonometric functions and complex numbers
- Introductory differential equations
- Basic mechanics and vibration concepts
- Fundamental knowledge of waves and oscillations
- Basic familiarity with logarithms and decibels
- Basic ability to interpret engineering graphs and equations
Previous experience in acoustics or underwater acoustics is not required.
Basic programming experience is helpful but not mandatory. Computational examples will be developed in Python using Google Colab, and the required code will be provided as part of the course materials.
Course Staff
Staff Member #2
Bahaddin Topak (Course Assistant - Karabük University)
Frequently Asked Questions
What web browser should I use?
The Open edX platform works best with current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
See our list of supported browsers for the most up-to-date information.
Where will the live lectures take place?
Live online lectures will be conducted through BigBlueMeeting. Information and access links for each session will be provided through the course LMS.
Where can I find lecture notes and presentation materials?
Lecture notes, presentation materials, computational examples, assignments, and supporting resources will be published on the Open edX course page.
Do I need previous experience in acoustics?
No. The course starts from fundamental vibration and acoustic concepts and progressively develops the principles required for underwater acoustics.
Do I need to know Python?
Previous Python experience is not required. Selected engineering examples will be demonstrated using Python and Google Colab, and the required code will be provided. Students are encouraged to run the notebooks themselves and modify parameters to explore the physical behavior of the systems being studied.
How should I prepare before each lecture?
Students are encouraged to review the lecture notes and any preparatory materials available on the LMS. After each lecture, reviewing the worked examples and running the associated Google Colab notebooks will help reinforce the concepts covered during the session.