Study audio and acoustics
What is audio and acoustics?
Designing, specifying, evaluating and understanding sound in the built environment spans the disciplines of science, architecture and engineering. In architecture, acoustics is concerned with how sound behaves in rooms, transmission of sound between rooms, and the quality of indoor and outdoor soundscapes.
Approaches to acoustically designing, fabricating and measuring architectural envelopes, surfaces and partitions continue to evolve, making this a stimulating area for both study and professional practice. The effects of sound and acoustic conditions on people (known as psychoacoustics) underlie our understanding of acoustic quality.
In the context of the built environment, audio systems range from systems for simple communication (eg, emergency alarms and messages) to high resolution spatial audio and interactive systems. This is an area of rapid technological change, providing opportunities for design innovation and new types of audio content and experience.
The fields of audio and acoustics frequently intersect: audio systems are used for acoustic measurements (eg, of rooms); acoustics strongly affects the performance of sound reinforcement systems; audio systems can be used to artificially enhance acoustic environments (eg, masking or reverberation); and auditory virtual or mixed reality systems must realistically simulate acoustics.
Benefit from our extensive audio and acoustics facilities including:
- spatial audio lab for recording and production
- anechoic chamber and reverberant room
- 196-loud speaker hemispherical array
- field-measurement kits
- the only indoor environmental quality laboratory in the southern hemisphere.
The program is ideal for audio engineers, architects, interior designers, sustainability designers, music-industry professionals and graduates of the Bachelor of Architecture and Environments who wish to broaden and deepen their expertise.
Units are taught in the evening to cater for working students. Many students use this program to build high technical capabilities on their broader creative or professional background, particularly in environmental acoustics.
Part-time study is available for Australian citizens and permanent residents. You may also take individual units as continuing professional development short courses without enrolling in a degree.
You will graduate with a specialist education in audio and acoustics that could lead to career opportunities in audio production, system design and environmental acoustic consulting.
Audio and Acoustics courses
Our audio and acoustics program combines sound recording, design and new media with acoustic engineering, signal processing, audio systems, computational modelling and psychoacoustics.
Related courses
At the master’s level, this degree will take 1.5 years full time to complete (72 credit points). The program can also be taken at the level of:
- Graduate Diploma in Architectural Science (Audio and Acoustics) (one year and 48 credit points)
- Graduate Certificate in Architectural Science (Audio and Acoustics) (6 months and 24 credit points)
Inspiring alumni: James Brown
James Brown completed his Master of Design Science (Audio & Acoustics) in 2007. He is now a composer and sound designer, and has worked on projects including TV series Top of the Lake, and video game Fallout 4