Acoustic engineering by design—Example of a service learning course for undergraduate engineering students

Abstract

The University of Hartford has two ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering programs in the area of acoustics—a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with acoustics concentration and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in acoustical engineering and music. Students participating in both of these programs take an acoustic engineering design course with a focus on service learning during their sophomore year. Service learning is an alternative to the traditional teaching model and offers students the opportunity to apply their classroom studies to local issues in the community; thus, students achieve academic objectives by meeting real community needs. Each year members of the community approach the University to request assistance with rooms exhibiting poor acoustic characteristics due to improper reverberation times and/or excessive background noise levels. Students are required to design and communicate solutions to these issues in a manner similar to a professional consultation. Recent examples include a science center exhibit hall, a restaurant, an architecture studio classroom, and a retirement community auditorium. This presentation will provide examples of such projects completed as part of this class. Challenges and benefits associated with this service learning course for acoustic engineering undergraduate students will be discussed.