The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

Introduction

The Acoustical Studies Major at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University is designed to prepare students to work as professionals in the fields of acoustical consulting, sound systems design, acoustical product design, and sound systems integration.  The program provides a thorough grounding in acoustical fundamentals and design practices to enable graduates to begin careers in these specialized fields.

Entrance Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Audio Technology, Computer Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or Recording Sciences.  Undergraduate level coursework must include one year of college physics, one year of calculus, one year of audio fundamentals and basic audio engineering, or equivalent.  Additional requirements are a background in music, which includes courses and skills sufficient to enter Music Theory I.

Curriculum (see course descriptions below)

Graduates

Some examples of employment and graduate schools that past graduates from the department have gained are:

Building Design Partnership, London - acoustical consultant
Shen Milsom Wilke - acoustical consultant
Veneklasen Associates - audio/video consultant
Michael Yantis Associates - acoustical consultant
Convergent Systems Design Group - audio/video consultant
Acoustical Design Collaborative, Ltd - acoustical consultant
RPG Diffusor Systems, Inc. - acoustical product applications engineer
Pennsylvania State University - Ph.D. program acoustics
Georgia Institute of Technology - Ph.D. program acoustics
Johns Hopkins University - Ph.D. program acoustics

Industry Affiliations

The program is geared toward professionals working with the following professional societies:

AES (Audio Engineering Society) www.aes.org
ASA (Acoustical Society of America) http://asa.aip.org
NCAC (National Council of Acoustical Consultants) www.ncac.com

For more information contact Neil Thompson Shade at nts@akustx.com.

Course Descriptions

Architectural Acoustics (3 credits) - spring
Prerequisite: (Physical Acoustics and Psychoacoustics)
The behavior of sound in enclosed spaces is exlpored.  Topics include sound absorption, sound reflection, refraction and diffusion, large and small room acoustics, room modes, reverberation, energy ratios, acoustical materials, psychoacoustic aspects, and design of rooms for speech, music and recording.

Noise Control (2 credits) - spring
Prerequisite: (Physical Acoustics and Architectural Acoustics)
A continuation of Architectural Acoustics with an emphasis on noise control for buildings and equipment.  Topics include noise reduction, transmission loss theory, impact insulation, noise barriers, equipment enclosures and noise control materials, and HVAC equipment noise prediction and control.

Sound System Design (3 credits) - fall
Prerequisite: (Electroacoustics, Architectural Acoustics, and Psychoacoustics)
Design and application of sound reinforcement systems for indoor and outdoor spaces.  Topics include design techniques, performance objectives, sound system components, loudspeaker and sound system types, speech intelligibility, prediction of sound distribution and level, acoustic gain equations, installation requirements, and performance measurements.

Audio and Acoustical Measurements (3 credits) - fall
Prerequisite: (Psychoacoustics and Audio Science and Technology)
The theory and application of objective acoustical and audio measurements are studied.  Measurement techniques used in the evaluation of both physical spaces and electronic equipment are presented.  Topics include measurement microphones, sound level meters, noise sources, spectrum and FFT analysis, frequency analysis, reverberation, speech intellegibility, transfer funcion, swept sine techniques, audio power measurements, ADC and DAC linearity, harmonic distortion  and mixed signal testing.

Computer Modeling (2 credits) - spring
Prerequisite: (Architectural Acoustics and Sound Systems Design)
Basics of computer modeling for room acoustics and sound system design.  Topics include general theory and assumptions underlying computer modeling, different types of acoustical models, auralization, small room acoustics, large room acoustics, and sound system computer models.  Introduction to popular computer models including Room Sizer, Room Optimizer, EASE, ULYSSES, and ODEON.

Professional Practices (2 credits) - spring
Prerequisite: (none)
This course examines professional practices common in industry.  Topics include interaction with clients, design professionals, and contractors, professional ethics and liability, insurance, contracts, and fee setting, specifications, reports, and project documentation.

Acoustics Design Practicum (3 credits) - spring
Prerequisite: (final semester)
In this course, students will act as acoustical consultants to design or analyze an existing room or sound system using the knowledge gained through prior classes.  The students will be responsible for complete analysis, measurements, modeling, design documentation, and presentation of the final design in class.