Acoustics is the interdisciplinary science that deals with the study of all mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids including topics such as vibration, sound, ultrasound and infrasound. The field of acoustics may lead to a number of different positions. Acoustics-related coursework may cover topics as architectural acoustics, sound reinforcement, noise control, vibrations and environmental acoustics. The job of an acoustical engineer is to manipulate and control sounds.
Bio & MED acoustics
It deals with the interaction of sound waves with biological tissues in humans and animals. Much recent research in this area has been concerned with the use of high-frequency ultrasound in medical diagnosis and treatment. Excellent career opportunities exist in this interdisciplinary field for students with an interest in biology and medical science as well as in acoustics and physics.
Architectural Acoustics
Architectural acoustics deals with sound in and around buildings of all kinds. Nearly everyone is aware of the importance of good acoustical design in concert halls, recording studios, auditoriums, and churches. Good acoustics should, and can, be engineered during the design of the building, since changes at a later time are expensive.
Engineering Acoustics
It deals with transducers and sound measuring instruments of all kinds. Engineering acoustics also includes instrumentation for medical diagnosis, communications, seismic surveying, recording and reproducing speech and music, and other challenging problems. It is a branch of engineering acoustics that deals with microphones, loudspeakers, and other transducers, as well as the recording and reproduction of sound.
Physical Acoustics
Subatomic particles, like protons, muons, and even the elusive neutrino, have been detected by the sound they make as they travel at high speeds through the ocean. Many new frontiers exist in this exciting field of research. Most researchers have advanced degrees in physics and chemistry. Research that seeks to understand how man produces and perceives speech is leading to the development of methods for improved communication between man and machine and for more effective training and technical aids for those with disorders of communication.
Underwater Acoustics
Underwater vessels like submarines are guided through the depths of the ocean by their acoustic systems. Acoustic signals are used to detect the presence and location of commercially valuable fish, to map the sea floor to determine the safest avenues" for supertankers, and to explore the Earth’s geological formations or search for oil deposits beneath the ocean floor. The need for technological advancements will afford plenty of job opportunities.
Structural Acoustics
large machines must be designed such that their operation is smooth, without unwanted vibration. Many disasters, like the destruction of a building by an earthquake, the toppling of a tall smokestack, or the collapse of a suspension bridge in a windstorm, involve vibration, but engineers are continuing to learn new ways of lessening the chance of these disasters taking place.
Scope
The field is still nascent in India. But since it has a wide range of application. Hence, in the coming years, this field will offer several job opportunities. Therefore, those who have the ability to work well in a team, have excellent written and oral communication skills, have manual dexterity, have problem-solving skills and excellent hearing can have a great career.
Eligibility
Employers typically require acoustic engineers to have at least a four-year degree in electrical engineering or a similar field. Some engineering programs allow students to focus on specific areas of acoustic engineering, such as sound system engineering or vibrations. Students in these programmes take core engineering classes.
The master’s-level curriculum may include coursework in underwater acoustics, medical ultrasonic, wave propagation, signal processing, optics, electromechanical transducers and nonlinear acoustics. Depending on the programme, students may have to complete a thesis or study project.
The writer is assistant Prof (Engg. Chemistry) Department Of Applied Sciences KIIT College of Engineering, Gurgaon