Program Overview

Introduction to the Acoustic Design Course

The Acoustic Design Course is a program that trains acoustic design engineers and researchers with a keen sound aesthetic and advanced knowledge of sound. In modern society, there is a need for experts who have a deep understanding of sound culture and can promote the correct evaluation of sound, the creation of human-friendly sound environments, and the enhancement of the quality of acoustic information at a high level.

Curriculum

The program provides a place for students to acquire advanced, cutting-edge knowledge of the art, science, and technology related to acoustic design, and to conduct basic and applied research, content creation, and practice based on this knowledge.

Fields of Study

• Sound Culture: An in-depth study of cultural and artistic activities related to music and sound.
• Acoustic Environmental Engineering: An in-depth study of the human and physical aspects of the sound environment.
• Acoustic Information Science: Acquire the first steps of acoustic design along with basic science or design literacy classes.

Course Structure

• 1st Year: Students acquire the first steps of acoustic design along with basic science or design literacy classes. They cultivate independent learning and teamwork through KIKAN Education Subjects.
• 2nd Year: Students acquire diversified knowledge, applicable skills, and basic subjects in three areas of acoustic design. They develop the ability to apply their knowledge to solve problems in a comprehensive manner.
• 3rd Year: Students deepen their expertise as acoustic design experts through specialized subjects. They integrate their expertise in sound and develop the ability to verify original hypotheses, generate sound, and solve complex social problems.
• 4th Year: Students conduct graduation research to solve social issues based on specialized knowledge and comprehensive design skills. They submit a graduation thesis or graduation work based on their understanding of sound-related artistic, scientific, and technological aspects.

Faculty Members

The faculty members in the Acoustic Design Course have diverse specializations, including:

• Speech Information Processing
• Musicology, Music Theory & Analysis, Music Culture
• Applied Acoustical Engineering
• Perceptual Psychology
• Acoustic Engineering
• Psychoacoustics, Environmental Acoustics
• Media Arts
• Performance Evaluation of Acoustic Engineering System
• Psychology of Hearing
• Psychoacoustics, Noise Control Engineering
• Signal Processing, Image Processing
• Cognitive science, Psychology of Music
• Experimental Music, Sound Arts
• Architectural Acoustics, Computational Acoustics
• Auditory Information Processing
• Musicology, History of Japanese Music
• Speech Science

Facilities

The Acoustic Design Course has access to state-of-the-art facilities, including:

• Variable Reverberation Room: A rarity among acoustic laboratories, this facility has the ability to modify reverberation times.
• Acoustic Research Center: The center has all of the lab equipment needed for acoustics education and research, including an anechoic room, reverberation room, and recording studio.

Prospective Career

More than half of the graduates go on to graduate school to deepen their expertise and further their research. After graduation, many students go on to successful careers in a variety of roles related to sound, including:

• Research and development into audio equipment, architecture, information and communications
• Acoustics consultants
• Sound engineers for broadcasting stations
• Sound designers
• Media artists

Alumni Messages

Alumni of the Acoustic Design Course have gone on to have successful careers in various fields, including:

• Innovation development center at DENSO TEN limited
• Shiki Theatre Company
• Takenaka Corporation Research & Development Institute

Their testimonials highlight the impact of the program on their careers and personal growth, emphasizing the freedom, creativity, and fulfillment they have found in their work.