Acoustic Engineering Education Requirements

These types of professionals may be asked to perform a variety of duties based on the industry they choose to employ their skills and knowledge. In the construction industry, engineers may execute sound and environmental evaluations on a building to ensure it meets codes and regulations. They may examine how alterations in the design of a structure may impact sound quality. In an industrial setting, these professionals utilize digital hardware and software to determine means for lessening sound disruptions in a work facility, while inquiring into how vibrations impact factory equipment or transportation structures such as a bridge or automobile. In the entertainment sphere, these professionals often work to optimize sound quality in recording studios and in live performance venues, evaluating how structures, materials and digital equipment and software enhance sound quality. Often, bioengineering firms seek these professionals to address how ultrasound and other forms of technology provide the best treatment options for patients under a medical professional’s care. Firms across the world like Sony, LA Live, the NFL, Bose, and Honda are a few of the huge companies seeking the services of these acoustic experts.

Not many U.S. universities offer official degrees in acoustic studies, so most professionals complete a Bachelor’s Degree in electrical engineering or a comparable course of study. Most employers do require at least a Bachelor’s as a minimum qualification for entry into the workforce. Many students integrate related acoustic theory courses into their degrees by taking classes in statics, circuits, thermodynamics, sound control, and vibrations, among others. A Master’s Degree may be required to qualify for some positions with a given company. At this level, students complete classes in wave propagation, optics and nonlinear acoustics. The Ph.D. level opens further management opportunities in the field, whereby students will have completed a rigorous academic training rooted in statistical analysis. This level of training opens the door to teaching at universities as well. With an eye to business, students should seek to refine their interpersonal and communication skills as well as their leadership capacities in managing a team of engineers and professionals. They may be asked to negotiate and consult with outside suppliers in managing the lifecycle of a development project.

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