| Person-in-Charge | Julianna Simon |
|---|---|
| Program Code | PHACS_GCT |
| Campus(es) | University Park World Campus |
The Graduate Program in Acoustics Physical Acoustics Certificate provides working professionals as well as resident students specific physical acoustics knowledge or an additional breadth of physical acoustics knowledge in a targeted approach that can support career goals or needs. In particular, students will take courses covering plane, spherical, and cylindrical waves, reflection, refraction, and transmission of sound, attenuation, and sound sources like the baffled piston. Additionally, students will have the opportunity for increased study in nonlinear acoustics, biomedical ultrasound, computational methods in acoustics, and underwater propagation and reflection of sound. This certificate provides flexibility for students to choose online or in-person electives that best suit their needs, beyond the required courses. Nine (9) acoustics course credit hours with a "C" or better are required.
All completed acoustics certificate courses with a "B" or better can be applied to the Acoustics M.Eng, M.S., or Ph.D. degree programs subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit. Certificate students who wish to have certificate courses applied towards a degree in Acoustics must apply and be admitted to that degree program. Admission to an acoustics graduate degree program is a separate step and is not guaranteed. Completion of the three certificates and the M.Eng Capstone Course, with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA could earn the M.Eng degree. Acoustics elective subjects include vibrations, fluids, signals, outdoor sound, oceans, and stress waves.
Effective Semester: Fall 2025
Expiration Semester: Spring 2030
Admission Requirements
Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies. International applicants may be required to satisfy an English proficiency requirement; see GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.
Entering students should hold a bachelor's degree in physics, engineering, mathematics, or a closely related field that would provide substantial preparation in mathematics (a minimum of two semesters of calculus-based physics and mathematics to include complex variables and differential equations). In addition, an undergraduate knowledge of statics and dynamics, linear algebra, and electronic circuit analysis, and the ability to use mathematical analysis software is expected. Students with a 3.00 junior/senior average (on a 4.00 scale), appropriate course backgrounds, and a B+ or better average in mathematics, physical science, and engineering courses will be considered for admission. The best qualified applicants will be accepted up to the number of spaces that are available for new students. An individual with nontechnical background may also apply, but acceptance into the program will depend significantly on the applicant's undergraduate background and motives to pursue advanced study in acoustics. Exceptions to the minimum 3.00 grade-point average may be made for students with special backgrounds and abilities.
Certificate Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in Graduate Council policy GCAC-212 Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate Programs.
Minimum credits is nine (9). Minimum overall GPA is 2.0. Time limitation is five (5) years.
There are 3 certificates sponsored through the Graduate Program in Acoustics, and courses cannot be double-counted towards multiple certificates.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ACS 502 | Elements of Waves in Fluids | 3 |
| ACS 515 | Acoustics in Fluid Media | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Nonlinear Acoustics in Fluids | ||
| Physical Principles in Biomedical Ultrasonics | ||
| Computational Acoustics | ||
| Ocean Acoustics | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Courses
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
Learning Outcomes
- Critical Thinking: Graduates will be able to conceptualize, evaluate and formulate physical acoustics problems, such as source-path-receiver for linear and non-linear acoustic waves, reflection, refraction, and diffraction of sound underwater or in the body, and modeling of sound propagation in all fluid media.
- Apply/Create: Graduates will be able to apply advanced knowledge, techniques, skills, pertaining to longitudinal wave propagation in fluids, to create solutions for problems in biomedical ultrasound, underwater acoustics, and physical acoustics.
- Professionalism: Graduates will be able to demonstrate high standards of ethics and apply best practices in their research or professional activities.
- Knowledge: Graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of principles of longitudinal wave propagation in fluids, linear and nonlinear waves in biomedical ultrasound, and scattering of sound underwater.
- Communication: Graduates will be able to effectively communicate, using Penn State online learning resources, their solutions to physical acoustics problems.