University of Hartford undergraduate acoustical engineering programs and teaching philosophy

Abstract

The University of Hartford is a small private institution that consists of seven schools and colleges, and is located in West Hartford, Connecticut, USA. A more detailed overview of the acoustical engineering curriculum and laboratory facilities will be discussed. Graduating high school seniors who wish to pursue the study of acoustical engineering at the University of Hartford have two ABET-accredited program options: (1) the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) with Acoustics Concentration and (2) the interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE), Acoustical Engineering & Music, which requires acceptance into the University's music conservatory, The Hartt School. These acoustical engineering programs are within the Mechanical Engineering Department, which is part of the College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture. Both programs require a number of theoretical courses in acoustics and vibrations. These theoretical courses are balanced with hands-on real-world design projects and a number of these projects are done for non-profit organizations to expose our students to service learning. Students participate in these industry-sponsored full-semester design projects at both the sophomore (2nd year) and senior (4th year) levels. As a result, students leave the program with a solid foundation of both the theory and real-world applications of acoustical engineering.