Institute of Acoustics Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control

Start date: September (UK and EU students only)

Course length: part time: 34 weeks, one afternoon and evening session per week (currently a Tuesday).

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

This course is perfect for you if you're looking for a specialist qualification as a professional practitioner in acoustics. You'll become a member of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) which will help to set you apart from other professionals in this field.

It also means that if you went on to further study, for example the MSc Applied Acoustics course, you could miss out the Postgraduate Certificate level and go straight onto the Postgraduate Diploma.

The course only takes one year to complete and you'll study on a Tuesday afternoon and evening starting in September. The examinations are held in June and you'll need to complete a project which usually takes place over the summer months.

Because the course is part time it means you can fit it around your work and life commitments, but if you are in employment you'll need to ensure that you can come in to Derby on a Tuesday afternoon to study.

You'll be taught by a dedicated and friendly team who are experienced acousticians with most having full membership of the IOA. And you'll study at the leading centre in the Midlands for this course.

Everyone must take the following modules:

• General Principles of Acoustics
• Laboratory Module
• Project.

You will then take a further two specialist modules from:

• Regulation and Assessment of Noise
• Noise and Vibration Control Engineering
• Acoustics in Buildings
• Environmental Noise: Measurement, Prediction and Control.

You'll be assessed by both coursework and examination. Coursework will include laboratory reports and a small number of assignments set by the IOA.

The General Principles of Acoustics module provides a foundation for further study and deals with the nature and behaviour of sound and vibration, its measurement, response of humans to sound and vibration, and basic noise control engineering. The project is an opportunity for you to carry out an individual study in the area of acoustics.

What you’ll study
You’ll study these modules:

General Principles of Acoustics
You’ll develop your knowledge of the fundamentals of acoustics.

Laboratory Module
During the year you’ll complete at least eight experiments, which will cover a range of activities to build up your experience of basic instrumentation and measurement techniques.

Project Module
You’ll carry out a substantial investigation or research project about an aspect of acoustics you’re interested in and you’ll present your findings as a formal report.

And you’ll choose two of these specialist modules:

Regulation and Assessment of Noise
During this module you’ll identify and interpret EU and UK legislative drivers and codes of practice for noise and vibration. You’ll outline and apply methods and regulations relating to the exposure and control of noise and vibration in the workplace.

Noise and Vibration Control Engineering
When you’ve completed this module you’ll be able to identify sources of noise and vibration, assess the extent of exposure
to people and consider and review noise and vibration control strategies at the source, along the pathways and at the receiver.

Acoustics in Buildings
You’ll focus on analysing the acoustical performance of enclosed spaces in buildings. This will involve the principles of room acoustics and its application to case studies.

Environmental Noise: Measurement, Prediction and Control
You’ll learn how to use a systematic approach to the assessment of environmental noise and its impact. And you’ll develop the knowledge you’ll need to select and design methods to control environmental noise.

UK/EU students

• £1,600 (in total)
• £375 per module

You'll also need to pay an IOA registration fee which is currently £900 and is payable directly to the Institute of Acoustics.

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2012 and August 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year and there may be extra costs eg for exams, trips or special modules.

Combination of coursework and exams.

You'll probably already be in work but this qualification will really enhance your career prospects. Students who have taken this course and haven't been in employment, have gone on to work in local authorities, environmental/noise consultancies, and industry. In fact, most of these students have found jobs before they've even completed the course.

This course at Derby has given me an invaluable foundation for my career within the acoustics industry."
Nick Miller, Technical Sales Engineer, Bruel & Kjaer UK Ltd

"Studying for the IOA Diploma was a real challenge but being able to study part time at Derby while I was working in the field and gaining experience really helped. The tutors were supportive and on hand to help throughout."
Anne-Marie Coulthard, Pollution Control Officer