Dr. Mark W. Sprague

Associate Professor and Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Studies

Office Location: Howell C209
Telephone: (252) 328-1862
Email: spraguem@ecu.edu
Website

PhD in Physics, University of Mississippi, 1994

MS in Physics, University of Mississippi, 1991

BS in Physics, Rhodes College, 1988

Interests

• Atmospheric and underwater acoustics
• Computational studies of convective effects of sound propagation
• Acoustic characterization of Sciaenid fish calls

Research Projects

Dr. Mark Sprague studies the fields of physical and biological acoustics.  He applies knowledge of sound propagation to study animals (such as fishes and whales) that make sound underwater as well as the effects of human-produced sounds on underwater animals.  Projects include using the acoustic Wave Glider Blackbeard to study offshore soundscapes, using hydrophone arrays to locate sound-producers in extremely shallow oyster marshes, using propagation modelling to understand sound exposure of animals near navigational channels, modelling sound production in fishes, and developing a new instrument to measure acoustic particle velocity. There are both graduate- and undergraduate-level projects in the lab.

Courses Taught

• PHYS 2350 University Physics I
• PHYS 4226 Mechanics I
• PHYS 4227 Mechanics II
• PHYS 4700 Advanced Laboratory