Master of Science in Building Science
(Concentration in Architectural Acoustics)
The School of Architecture offers a formal program for a Masters of Science degree emphasizing architectural acoustics for public spaces. Building types to be studied in the program include performing art centers; museums; schools of theater, dance, and music; arenas; amphitheaters; houses of worship; and other places of public assembly.
The heart of the program is an experimental research center dedicated to improving predictability factors in architectural acoustics design. Candidates have opportunities to work with architectural acoustics modeling and auralization programs as well as take part in experiments conducted in the research center and in the famed Troy Music Hall, a concert hall recognized as one of the world’s best.
One major research effort is related to evaluating the accuracy of acoustics predictability software as well as scale-model measurements of the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, in relation to measurements taken in the hall.
The degree program is designed for those with backgrounds in engineering who are interested in becoming professional architectural acousticians, or researchers in acoustics, and for architects and theater consultants interested in the design of performing arts buildings and public facilities in general.
Christopher Jaffe, the leader of the firm Jaffe Holden Acoustics and a noted acoustician responsible for the design of over 200 performance spaces during the last forty years, founded the program. The current faculty and research staff bring together a collective expertise within architectural acoustics research, consulting, modeling, noise and vibration control, stagecraft and theater design, and studies of psycho-acoustical effects of sound fields.
Individuals applying for admission must have a Bachelor-level degree (B.Arch., B.S., or B.A.) in Architecture, Engineering, Music, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Acoustics, Electronic Media, Theater Technology, or other related fields. Those with other degrees or experience (e.g., who have worked in the field) and with keen interest in Architectural Acoustics will also be considered. Those graduating with an M.S. in Building Science (Concentration in Architectural Acoustics) will be well prepared to enter the field at post-entry positions.
Curriculum
| First Year |
| Fall |
Credit Hours |
| ARCH-4840 |
Architectural Acoustics 1 |
4 |
| ARCH-4860 |
Sonics Research Laboratory 1 |
4 |
| ARCH-6460 |
Stagecraft and Theater Design (1) or approved concentration elective |
2 |
| ARCH-6810 |
Research Design Seminar |
2 |
| Spring |
Credit Hours |
| ARTS-6XXX |
Advanced Computer Music and Acoustics (1) or approved concentration elective |
4 |
| ARCH-4850 |
Architectural Acoustics 2 |
4 |
| ARCH-4870 |
Sonics Research Laboratory 2 |
2 |
| ARCH-6470 |
Stagecraft and Theatre Design 2 (1) or approved concentration elective |
2 |
| ARCH-6990 |
Graduate Thesis Seminar |
2 |
| Second Year |
| ARCH-6990 |
Master's Thesis Project |
8 |
Possible Concentration Electives (1) include (but are not limited to):
ARCH-6940 Advanced Individual Projects (e.g., Ind. Study) 1–6 credits
ARTS-6010 Computer Music Studio 4 credits
MEAE-4610 Vibrations 3 credits
MEAE-4830 Acoustics Engineering 3 credits
ECSE-2410 Signal and Systems 4 credits
ECSE-4500 Probability for Engineering Applications 4 credits
ECSE-4510 Discrete Time Systems 3 credits
ECSE-4540 Introduction to Voice and Image Processing 3 credits
ECSE-4560 Signal Processing Design 3 credits
ARTS-2300 Orchestra: Performance Studies 2 credits
ARTS-2310 Chorale: Performance Studies 2 credits
The degree requires 34 credit hours.
1. Concentration Electives are intended to allow students to take alternative courses with significant relevance to their thesis research. They must be approved by a faculty member of the Acoustics program before inclusion in an Acoustics student’s plan of study.
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