Master of Design Science (Audio & Acoustics)

What is this course about?

Sound is a constant throughout our lives – involving, informing and profoundly shaping our experience of communication, entertainment and architectural spaces. This degree is unique and challenging, giving students a solid foundation in the design, measurement and theory of audio and acoustics. From this foundation students can choose to specialise in their area of interest including acoustics, audio systems and audio production.

The degree is interdisciplinary, bringing together creative, technical and scientific approaches to sound. It draws on psychology, aesthetic sound design, new media, sound recording, systems design, acoustic engineering, computer modelling and simulation. It gives a solid grounding in these fields, and encourages senior students to develop advanced understanding and skills through specialised projects.

The program is supported by one of Australia’s best acoustics facilities and two audio studios. The Acoustics Research Laboratory houses an anechoic room and reverberant room and has extensive state-of-the-art equipment for measurement and analysis. The audio studios consist of a recording studio and a 5.1 channel production studio. Teaching in the program also makes use of the Faculty’s computer laboratories for modelling of room acoustics and audio systems, and for some audio production work.

The University of Sydney is one of the world’s leading research institutions in spatial audio. The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning has Australia’s leading research group in architectural and audio acoustics, who work beyond the Faculty in the University’s Spatial Audio Research Laboratories (encompassing three faculties). The University’s Conservatorium of Music offers coursework in creative sound production, some of which can be taken by students in the Audio and Acoustics program as elective units.

Who should take this course?
The program is ideal for people with an academic and/or professional track record in audio, acoustics or related areas, wishing to extend the breadth and level of expertise.

Program Director: Dr Densil Cabrera

Admission Requirements

Masters and Graduate Diploma applicants should hold a bachelors degree. Graduate Certificate applicants should hold a bachelors degree or possess experience which is considered to demonstrate the knowledge and aptitude required to undertake the course.

Course structure

Total credit points required

Student works

Below, you can see some examples of work created by students previously enrolled in this course. Click here to view more works from students undertaking this course.

How to apply

Visit the Admissions page for more information on how to apply for this course.

Just want to study one unit of study as professional development?

• Visit the CPD page for more information on Professional Development courses.

Career Profiles

Sandy Marshall
Audio and Acoustics Graduate

Were you always interested in studying in the audio field?
I’ve always had a passion for playing music and I wanted to be a musician. Without the right circumstances, I decided audio was the next best thing. I got side tracked along the way by acoustics.

What attracted you to this degree?
I started out by studying audio engineering and found acoustics to be a broad and interesting field, with more opportunities. I was most intrigued by the field of room acoustics. The main attraction of going into acoustics was the opportunity of working in this field; to be part of the design and construction of an esteemed music venue would be a great accomplishment.

What did you enjoy most about the degree?
I enjoyed the practical aspects of the degree the most. Each subject has a theory component of course, but there is also a lot of hands on work that gives you the opportunity to research and be creative. I also liked the variation in the coursework, giving you an understanding of a broad range of fields in the industry.

Was there anything that you found particularly challenging?
The most challenging aspect of the course was the research component. As a student, you are supervised throughout the project, but you have total control of what it is you want to do, and how you’re going to do it. While it was challenging, it was also very rewarding in that you’re required to conduct the work by yourself, or with a partner, and it is a great learning experience.

You now work for Marshall Day Acoustics. What is your role?
I work as a consultant for Marshall Day Acoustics. The great thing about my job is that I’m not restricted to working in one field of acoustics. I have gained experience across a number of areas including environmental acoustics, architectural acoustics and vibration. It keeps things interesting.

Do you use the knowledge you gained from this degree in your current position?
The Audio and Acoustics degree has given me the background for acoustic consulting by teaching me the principles used in my everyday work.


Dr Chris Field
Acoustics expert

Architecture alumnus Dr Chris Field (PhD ’98) won the ABC’s Inventor of the Year Award on the “New Inventors” program with his Silenceair, an invention which allows fresh air into a building while leaving 85 per cent of the noise outside, Dr Field originally developed the idea while studying for his PhD in Acoustics seven years ago with his PhD supervisor, Honorary Associate Professor Fergus Fricke.



Careers in Audio Design

• Acoustical Consultant
• Building Services Consultant
• Sound Reinforcement System Designer
• Broadcast Facility Designer
• Recording Studio Designer
• Entertainment Facility Manager
• Sound Producer
• Multimedia Producer
• Theatre Sound Designer
• Film Sound Designer
• Film Sound Recordist/Editor
• Museum Sound Designer
• Radio Broadcaster
• TV Broadcaster
• Recording Studio Operator
• Sound Reinforcement System Operator

Enquiries

Enquiries about the Master of Architecture can be made via email or telephone to:
Anne-Marie Leo, , +61 2 9351 2686.

For enquiries relating to current application progress, class timetables, credit transfers and enrolment, please contact the Student Administration Centre for further information.

Ph: +61 2 9351 3248.