Sought after qualification
The IOA diploma is a sought after accredited qualification which can lead to Associate Membership of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA); this is regarded as the leading Institute in the UK in Acoustics. The University of Derby recognises the Diploma as providing partial exemption from their requirements for the award of MSc degree in Applied Acoustics. Through its Education Committee and the Diploma Tutors and Examiners sub-committee, the Institute of Acoustics strives to keep the Diploma up-to-date and professionally relevant. Members of the Course team at Derby take an active role in Institute affairs and committees, and have helped shaped the present course structure.
Experienced teaching
Derby is currently the largest centre in the Midlands for this one year part-time course and recruits typically 20 students per academic year. The Course is delivered on a Wednesday and by an academic Course team who have a wealth of experience in Acoustics. We also make use of locally based Consultants who provide guest lectures in specialist areas.
You´ll need an undergraduate degree or diploma or HND.
Non-standard entry is possible for experienced candidates.
Course length: Part-time: 34 weeks, one day per week (currently a Wednesday).
You´ll study the following modules:
General Principles of Acoustics
This module provides a foundation for further study in acoustics, and deals with the nature and behaviour of sound and vibration, its measurement, response of humans to sound and vibration, room acoustics, and basic noise control engineering.
Laboratory and Experimental methods
This module develops the practical skills which are essential for the professional acoustician, and also supports some of the basic principles introduced in the General Acoustics module.
Project
This module is an opportunity for students to carry out an individual research study in a specific area of acoustics.
The specialist modules provide an opportunity for students to focus in a specific area of acoustics. Students take a further two specialist modules from the following:
Building Acoustics
The Building Acoustics module considers the acoustical parameters that define the sound quality in a space, and reviews a selection of case studies.
Regulation and Assessment of Noise
The module focuses on the legislative aspects and the Standards and Guidance documents in acoustics.
Environmental noise: Prediction, Measurement and Control
This module focuses on the main sources of noise, their impact on the environment, and how they are assessed and controlled.
Noise and Vibration Control Engineering
This module considers the full range of mitigation measures associated with noise/vibration control at source, along the transmission path, and at the receiver end.
The modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination. Coursework is comprised of laboratory reports and a small number of nationally-set assignments set by the IOA. The examinations normally take place in June – and there are 3 examinations in total.
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.
