MEng (Hons) Acoustical and Audio Engineering with Professional Experience draft

Program Overview

Accredited by the UK Institute of Acoustics, the program provides a comprehensive understanding of acoustics and audio engineering principles, practical skills in sound measurement and design, and industry-focused curriculum developed in collaboration with leading companies. Students have access to world-class acoustics laboratories and facilities, and the opportunity for an industry placement year to gain practical experience.

Program Outline

• To develop students' practical skills in sound measurement, analysis, and design.
• To prepare students for a rewarding career in the acoustics and audio industry.
• To equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue further study, research, or postgraduate qualifications.

Program Description:

This program offers a balanced curriculum of theoretical, practical, and project-based learning. Students will gain a strong foundation in the principles of acoustics and audio engineering through lectures, tutorials, and laboratory work. In addition, they will have the opportunity to develop their practical skills through project work, group work, and industry placement.

Program Highlights:

• Accredited by the UK Institute of Acoustics, leading to potential Chartered Engineer status.
• Industry-focused curriculum developed in collaboration with leading companies.
• Access to world-class acoustics laboratories and facilities.
• Opportunity for an industry placement year to gain practical experience.
• Strong emphasis on developing transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Outline:

Program Structure:

• Year 1: Introduction to acoustics, analogue electronics, mathematics, and audio systems.
• Year 2: Digital signal processing, microphone and loudspeaker design, principles of acoustics, group design project, industrial studies and career management.
• Year 3: Final year project, two modules from a list including room acoustics, digital signal processing and machine learning, psychoacoustics and musical acoustics, noise and vibration control.
• Year 4 (Integrated Masters): Group design project, two modules from a list including digital signal processing and machine learning, noise and vibration control, psychoacoustics and musical acoustics, room acoustics.

Course Schedule:

The program is delivered full-time over four years with lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, and project work taking place throughout the academic year. Students completing the Integrated Masters will undertake their final year project and further modules in the fourth year.

Individual Modules:

• Introduction to Acoustics: Provides an overview of fundamental concepts in acoustics with practical skills in measurement and analysis.
• Analogue Electronics: Introduces basic electronic circuits and develops understanding of impedance, current, and voltage.
• Mathematics (Acoustics): Equips students with mathematical skills required for understanding acoustics and audio engineering.
• Acoustics Laboratory: Teaches specialized acoustic and audio measurement techniques using industry-standard equipment.
• New: Studio Production: Develops skills in multi-track production, recording, and audio system design.
• Signal Chain Theory: Explores the signal flow of complete audio systems from capture to playback and transmission.
• Digital Signal Processing: Provides a thorough grounding in digital audio processing techniques.
• Microphone and Loudspeaker Design: Develops knowledge of electroacoustic transduction mechanisms and design techniques.
• Principles of Acoustics: Builds on Year 1 knowledge with advanced acoustics concepts like Fourier analysis, impedance, and wave behavior.
• Industrial Studies and Career Management: Explores business theory, entrepreneurship, and management skills for future careers.
• Group Design Project: Collaborate with classmates to solve a real-world acoustic/audio design problem using laboratory and facilities.
• New: Electromagnetism: Introduces fundamental laws of electromagnetism and wave equations.
• Final Year Project: Conduct independent research on an agreed topic in audio or acoustics, culminating in a project report and presentation.
• Room Acoustics: Applies wave and statistical theories to analyze room acoustics and design effective sound fields.
• Digital Signal Processing and Machine Learning: Deepen understanding of advanced DSP techniques and machine learning applications in engineering.
• Psychoacoustics and Musical Acoustics: Explore the science of music perception, sound generation, and modeling.
• Environmental Noise Measurement and Modelling: Learn how to measure and model environmental noise using relevant