Intended Level of Study
Bachelor's degree (BAC +3)
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Language(s) of Instruction
French
Overview
Acoustic environment management and efforts to reduce noise pollution represent a rapidly expanding market with a wide range of institutional and private-sector job opportunities in fields such as expertise, urban and environmental mapping, and the implementation of specialized systems designed to reduce noise. In recent years, there has been an increase in regulations requiring greater consideration of acoustic comfort and, consequently, lower noise levels, which is creating a wealth of job opportunities. Today, 50% of the population reports being affected by noise pollution at work and at home.
The proliferation of public address systems in recent years has been driven primarily by the decline in their cost due to new technologies. Currently, many facilities are equipped with permanent systems from the outset of their design or renovation.
This interdisciplinary professional bachelor’s degree in acoustics covers sound engineering, sound propagation, sensors and acoustic metrology, acoustic signal processing, room acoustics, and noise pollution, including the use of related software. It prepares students for a wide range of current and future careers without overlapping with master’s and engineering programs that are more focused on design and research. The need for professionals in the field who are trained in all the aspects mentioned above—without placing an excessive financial burden on the company—is perfectly aligned with our company’s needs. Continuing education and the recognition of prior learning also make it easier to facilitate their career advancement.
The numerous contacts established with industry representatives from the various relevant sectors have made it possible to adapt the curriculum so that it remains closely aligned with professional needs while maintaining a solid foundation.
For example, engineering firms (currently the sector that hires the most) play an active role in education: They share their expertise with students by teaching some of the courses, hosting interns, and serving on the academic advisory board.
The program’s long-term viability is also ensured through its promotion by professional associations in which the partners play a significant role (as board members or presidents).
The program also draws on an acoustics research team and benefits from the team’s industry connections in the field, which in turn helps provide students with career opportunities.
Objectives
This professional bachelor’s degree program focuses on societal issues by combining audio techniques used in musical acoustics—in the broadest sense, including speech—with those used in sound environment management and solutions to noise pollution in both urban planning and building architecture.
The range of potential jobs is relatively broad, spanning from audio technicians specializing in sound recording and venue sound systems—including the related equipment—to experts in acoustics for buildings and spaces designed for listening or relaxation. Regulations regarding noise pollution will be central to this issue, and both passive and active solutions will be developed.
Expertise and Skills
The training program offered is interdisciplinary and covers a wide range of industries:
- Sound environment management, noise reduction
- Regulatory impact assessments and report drafting
- Noise and vibration characterization of equipment
- Performance Analysis of Acoustic Correction Elements
- Improving room acoustics
- Instrumentation for dedicated electroacoustic equipment
- Audio signal processing
The relevant field of knowledge is therefore quite broad, but it is highly coherent:
- Electroacoustics and Signal Processing
- Sound diffusion and room acoustics
- Sound-absorbing and sound-insulating materials
- Industrial Acoustics
- Quantification and classification of sound levels
- Acoustic metrology
- Building acoustics, sound insulation
- Computer simulation of the acoustic response of rooms, environments, and buildings
Required skills:
- Propose solutions for the installation of electroacoustic equipment that meets the requirements for the desired performance characteristics
- Map and analyze a sound environment
- Propose solutions for implementing measures to correct and/or improve the acoustic properties of indoor and outdoor spaces
- Take into account the constraints associated with implementing the selected measures, considering:
o Current regulations and legislation
o Costs resulting from these measures
o A Professional's Civil Liability
- Communicate and work as part of a team.
- Read, understand, and speak English.
Organization
Knowledge Assessment
Continuous Assessment
Open on an alternating basis
This program is offered as a work-study program.
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Required |
|---|---|
Duration of the internship | 4 |
Internship Abroad | Possible |
Internship lasting at least 4 months
The supervised project consists of three parts:
- Miscellaneous Topics in Acoustics
- Room Acoustics: Renovating / Improving the Acoustics of a Room
- Environment: Identify a nuisance issue and propose solutions to reduce it
As part of this work-study or professional training program, the supervised project is carried out at the company, with the topic determined in consultation with the teaching staff
Program
The program, which lasts one year, includes lectures and hands-on work (40% of which is taught by industry professionals), a supervised project of approximately 130 hours, and a 4-month internship.
This training can be completed either:
- Initial Training
- Apprenticeship or Professional Training Contract
Select a program
L3 - Professional Bachelor's Degree - Acoustics and the Sound Environment (AES)
Acoustic environment management and efforts to reduce noise pollution represent a rapidly expanding market with a wide range of institutional and private-sector job opportunities in fields such as expertise, urban and environmental mapping, and the implementation of specialized systems designed to reduce noise. In recent years, there has been an increase in regulations requiring greater consideration of acoustic comfort and, consequently, lower noise levels, which is creating a wealth of job opportunities. Today, 50% of the population reports being affected by noise pollution at work and at home.
The proliferation of public address systems in recent years has been driven primarily by the decline in their cost due to new technologies. Currently, many facilities are equipped with permanent systems from the outset of their design or renovation.
This interdisciplinary professional bachelor’s degree in acoustics covers sound engineering, sound propagation, sensors and acoustic metrology, acoustic signal processing, room acoustics, and noise pollution, including the use of related software. It prepares students for a wide range of current and future careers without overlapping with master’s and engineering programs that are more focused on design and research. The need for professionals in the field who are trained in all the aspects mentioned above—without placing an excessive financial burden on the company—is perfectly aligned with our company’s needs. Continuing education and the recognition of prior learning also make it easier to facilitate their career advancement.
The numerous contacts established with industry representatives from the various relevant sectors have made it possible to adapt the curriculum so that it remains closely aligned with professional needs while maintaining a solid foundation.
For example, engineering firms (currently the sector that hires the most) play an active role in education: They share their expertise with students by teaching some of the courses, hosting interns, and serving on the academic advisory board.
The program’s long-term viability is also ensured through its promotion by professional associations in which the partners play a significant role (as board members or presidents).
The program also draws on an acoustics research team and benefits from the team’s industry connections in the field, which in turn helps provide students with career opportunities.
English and Communication
5 creditsAcoustics, Physics, and Perception
5 creditsElectroacoustics and Signal Processing
10 creditsRefresher Course
Room Acoustics and Environment
10 credits
Internship
10 creditsBuilding Acoustics and Industry
10 creditsSupervised Project
Admission
Admission Requirements
French and European students: Follow the “eCandidat” procedure on the website: https://ecandidat.umontpellier.fr/ecandidat/
Target Audience
Admission based on application materials for:
- Second Year of the Bachelor's Degree Program
- BTS
- DUT
- CPGE
In the following fields: EEA, physics, mechanics, civil engineering, mathematics, and computer science.
And then
Employment Placement
Business Sectors:
Holders of a professional bachelor's degree may find themselves working:
- within large industrial groups or multinational corporations in the relevant sectors
- within regional small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or very small businesses
- within a design office
- in public oversight agencies (local and regional governments, police departments, forensic services, etc.)
Types of Jobs Available
- Assistant Engineer
- Senior Technician
- Technical Framework
- Research Analyst
- Inspector
Typical jobs:
Sound engineer; sound technician (sound recording, sound reinforcement); ambient sound designer; sound recordist (digitization); editor (post-production); designer of loudspeakers, speakers, microphones, and amplifiers; industrial acoustics specialist; new technologies (earplugs, transmission, and communication); technician/assistant engineer: manufacturing methods, expert assessment, pollution.