Crossword Genius

Sound science? A backing for science entails University investing in expense (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

acoustics

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'sound science?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a backing for science entails university investing in expense' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
'university' could be 'ou' and 'ou' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for acoustics that I've seen before include "CIA scouts seeking properties of sound" , "Science of sound" , "So caustic about properties of sound" , "The study of the properties of sound" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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