Graduate education and research in architectural acoustics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Abstract

The rapid pace of change in the fields of architectural-, physical-, and psycho-acoustics has constantly advanced the Graduate Program in Architectural Acoustics from its inception in 1998 with an ambitious mission of educating future experts and leaders in architectural acoustics. Recent years we have reshaped its pedagogy using “STEM” (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) methods, including intensive, integrative hands-on experimental components that fuse theory and practice in a collaborative environment. Our pedagogy enables graduate students from a broad range of fields to succeed in this rapidly changing field. The graduate program has attracted graduate students from a variety of disciplines including individuals with B.S., B.A., or B.Arch. degrees in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Electronic Media, Sound Recording, Music, Architecture, and related fields. RPI’s Graduate Program in Architectural Acoustics has since graduated more than 100 graduates with both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Along with faculty members they have also actively 0contributed to the program’s research in architectural acoustics, psychoaoustics, communication acoustics, signal processing in acoustics as well as our scientific exploration at the intersection of cutting edge research and traditional architecture/music culture. This paper shares the growth and evolution of the graduate program.