Acoustics: The Physics of Sound
What is acoustics?
Acoustics is the science of sound! It encompasses the production, propagation, and perception of sound waves. Acoustics is a broad and interdisciplinary field that brings together researchers from physics, engineering, psychology, biology, math, music, architecture, speech and hearing science, and linguistics. A few examples of research topics include animal bioacoustics, musical instruments, ultrasound and other non-invasive medical techniques, aircraft and rocket noise, and the propagation of sound underwater.
Is acoustics physics?
Yes! If you are in a traditional physics program, you probably learned a little about acoustics in some of your introductory courses. Typically, these classes cover standing waves (waves on a string), harmonic oscillators, and basic information about frequency, wavelength, and wavespeed. In upper division courses, you study several different kinds of waves, from electromagnetic waves to matter (quantum) waves. Sound waves, a type of mechanical wave, are often not a huge focus in undergraduate physics curricula, but physicists have been conducting research in acoustics for over 100 years!
Harvey Fletcher, known for his work with Robert Millikan on the famous Millikan Oil Drop experiment, made significant research contributions to the field of acoustics. In fact, he played a key role in the organizational meeting that led to the founding of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) and served as the society’s first president from 1929-1931. The ASA was one of the five original societies that helped establish the American Institute of Physics in 1931.
Today, the ASA has a Physical Acoustics technical committee that is dedicated to a physics-based study of acoustics, but physics is used in a wide variety of acoustics research. Physicists make particularly good acousticians because of their mathematical backgrounds and excellent understanding of waves!
Why should I become an ASA student member?
Both undergraduate and graduate students can join ASA as student members. Student members receive access to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America online, discounted registration for ASA meetings and can qualify for transportation subsidies to supplement the cost of traveling to ASA meetings. Student members have access to the ASA Students Discord channel allowing them to connect with others before meetings and learn about research or job opportunities.
ASA also offers a scholarship for undergrads interested in acoustics research. Students can submit a proposal for the Robert W. Young Award and receive up to $700 to support an undergraduate research project. More information can be found here.
Can I study acoustics in graduate school?
Absolutely! Acoustics research takes place in many different academic fields. Because acoustics is interdisciplinary, many physics-based programs are found in applied physics or engineering departments. However, there is great acoustics research happening all over the world.
If you are curious what acoustics research looks like, ASA offers an 8-10 week paid summer undergraduate research program called SURIEA (Summer Undergraduate Research or Internship Experience in Acoustics). SURIEA matches students with a mentor who guides them through a summer research project based on their interests. This is a great way to explore acoustics, and discover what pursuing graduate studies or a career in acoustics could look like. Plus, participants receive funding to attend an ASA meeting after their SURIEA experience is complete. More information on the application and past research topics can be found here.
What can I do with a graduate degree in acoustics?
Students with a graduate degree in acoustics pursue a wide variety of careers in industry, government, and academia. Many work to understand and mitigate environmental noise, such as that from wind farms, transportation, data centers, power plants, and other anthropogenic noise sources. Others design high-quality audio systems or research-grade transducers and microphones for technology companies. Acousticians are critical in designing better buildings, including residential structures, office spaces, classrooms, and concert halls, often working alongside architects and urban planners. They also collaborate with musicians and audio professionals to optimize performance spaces, with physicians and biomedical researchers to develop medical ultrasound and hearing technologies, and with military personnel to improve underwater communication and reduce aviation noise.
Although a graduate degree is not the only way to get a job in acoustics, studying acoustics at the graduate level will provide you with an excellent foundation in wave physics, signal processing, experimental techniques, and numerical modeling. These skills are highly transferable to other fields of physics and will prepare you for success regardless of your future career path.