Programs in Acoustical Engineering

The acoustical engineering and music program seeks to prepare men and women for productive, rewarding careers in the engineering profession.

During their careers our alumni:

1. Will become successful practicing engineers in a wide range of acoustical engineering fields and will advance professionally by accepting responsibilities and, potentially, pursuing leadership roles;
2. Will advance their knowledge of engineering and music, both formally and informally, by engaging in lifelong learning experiences; and
3. Will, as contributing members of multidisciplinary engineering teams, successfully apply the fundamentals of engineering analysis and design to the formulation and solution of emerging technical problems.

The student learning outcomes are aligned with the student learning outcomes of ABET EAC (1 through 7), and prepare graduates of the program to attain the program educational objectives.

Student outcomes (1) through (7) are articulated as follows:

(1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

(2) an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors

(3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

(4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

(5) an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

(6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

(7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

(8) an understanding of musical theory and history, and a demonstrated ability in ear training and music performance or composition.

The mission of the acoustical engineering and music program is to provide excellent educational experience for its students, with an emphasis on preparing graduates for professional practice in engineering and/or graduate school.

The mechanical engineering program seeks to prepare men and women for productive, rewarding careers in the engineering profession. During their careers our alumni:

1. will become successful practicing engineers in a wide range of mechanical engineering fields and will advance professionally by accepting responsibilities and, potentially, pursuing leadership roles;
   
   
2. will advance their knowledge of engineering, both formally and informally, by engaging in lifelong learning experiences; and
   
   
3. will, as contributing members of multidisciplinary engineering teams, successfully apply the fundamentals of engineering analysis and engineering design to the formulation and solution of emerging technical problems.

The engineering design experience is distributed over the entire engineering curriculum. The curricular sequence ensures that there is one-half year of credits devoted to design content, which begins in the first-year course Engineering and Design and continues through the senior year's Capstone Design Project. The majority of the design work is incorporated into the junior and senior years to ensure that the students have taken sufficient preparatory engineering science courses.

Basic concepts of physics, chemistry, and mathematics create the foundation on which all engineering education is built. Basic tools of engineering practice, such as graphic communication, computer-aided drafting/design, and computer programming and applications, are also required knowledge. The basic engineering sciences, such as statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, material science, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electrical circuits, design of machine elements, and control theory, complete the introductory phase of the program.

Mechanical engineering is generally considered to consist of a number of engineering subject areas, such as:

• Energy Conversion
• Fluid Flow
• Heat Transfer
• Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning
• Instrumentation
• Machine Design
• Manufacturing Industrial Engineering
• Materials
• Mechanics of Solids
• Mechanisms
• Noise Control
  Refrigeration
  System Control

All mechanical engineering students have the opportunity to take elective courses in any of the above subject areas. Through proper choice of electives, a student may become specialized in one or two of these areas. The Mechanical Engineering department has formalized three of the areas (acoustics, energy and sustainability, and manufacturing) as designated concentrations, with a separate curriculum listing.

Extensive laboratory experience enhances the theoretical course work. There are several required laboratory courses in the sciences and engineering. Written and oral communication of laboratory results is required.

Oral presentation by the students is introduced in the first year and continues through to the capstone design course, as well as in several other required advanced and elective courses.

Through participation in the All-University Curriculum and in additional elective courses in the humanities and/or social sciences, students are given the opportunity to broaden their perspectives and to take part in the larger learning community of the University. It is imperative that engineers understand and appreciate the special role that technology plays in our society and the interactions between and among the various components of our society.

The student learning outcomes of the Mechanical Engineering program leading to BSME degree are aligned with the student learning outcomes of ABET EAC (1 through 7), and prepare graduates of the program to attain the program educational objectives.

Student outcomes (1) through (7) are articulated as follows:

(1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

(2) an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors

(3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

(4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

(5) an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

(6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

(7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Adam Paul ’14, a graduate of the acoustical engineering and music program, was honored by Commercial Observer Magazine, an NYC based real estate, design, and construction mag, as one of their “Top 20 Under 35” in Design and Construction. He works as a senior project engineer at Longman Lindsey.

As an undergrad here at UHart, Paul recognized his innate sensitivity to environmental conditions while studying acoustics, a subject that merged math and physics (his favorite subjects) with his passion for music.

Sophie Kaye ’19, a graduate of our BSE Acoustical Eengineering and Music program, has been making an impact through her research for NASA. She is currently working as a general engineer at the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. Kaye says she chose to attend UHart because “it was the only school I could find that offered the specialized acoustics and music undergraduate degree that seemed to cater to my interests and career aspirations.”

Her work involves bouncing back and forth between modeling, data analysis, report writing, and coordination meetings with federal and international team members working on projects throughout different transportation modes, including supersonic aviation, highway traffic, unmanned aircraft, subsonic passenger aircraft, cycling and walking. Between graduating and starting her job at Volpe, she felt fortunate to be able to travel to Spain to attend the Noise Control Engineering INTERNOISE conference to present her senior capstone entitled, “Low Frequency Absorption of Additively Manufactured Cylinders.” The research involved designing, 3D printing, and testing cylinder arrays of varying dimensions for their acoustic properties. The designs were inspired by the shape of natural reeds. Similar designs could be implemented in airplane engine liners to reduce the emission of low-frequency noise.

Sara Gambacorta ’16 of Getzville, New York and Christopher Springthorpe ’16 of Welwyn, England, were awarded a commendation prize for this year's design tournament sponsored by the Technical Committee on Architectural Acoustics of the Acoustical Society of America. The 2016 competition specified the design of a performing arts complex located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ginnie and Ethan submitted their entry in the competition while undergraduates at The University of Hartford. Their submission was a poster presentation demonstrating room acoustics, noise control, and acoustic isolation techniques in building planning and room design. Individual students or teams of two or three undergraduate or graduate students were eligible. Almost all of the 12 poster submissions from the United States and around the world were from graduate programs in acoustics. The anonymous entries were displayed and professionally judged at the society's May 2016 meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sara received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, summa cum laude, majoring in Acoustical Engineering and Music. She has accepted a position with Jaffe Holden Acoustical Consultants in Norwalk, CT. Chris received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering, magna cum laude, majoring in Acoustical Engineering and Music. He has accepted a position with Threshold Acoustics Consulting firm, located in Chicago.

For five straight years, acoustical engineering students at the University of Hartford have won a highly selective award called the Leo Beranek Student Medal for Excellence in the Study of Noise Control. The team of Christopher Cutler and Kevin Zheng were presented the awards as a surprise announcement during the May 2015 Commencement Ceremonies.

The student team undertook a statistical analysis of road traffic noise in the vicinity of I-84 and I-91. Twenty-four hour measurements were made for over 4 weeks using remote measurement equipment, installed on an outdoor balcony of the Connecticut Science Center in downtown Hartford, CT. SImultaneous meteorological conditions were also monitored and the resulting noise plots indicated strong diurnal patterns especially during Monday–Friday commuting days. These data laid the groundwork for subsequent phases of road traffic characterization and prediction.

Chris graduated in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, majoring in Acoustical Engineering and Music. Originally from Granby, CT, Chris Cutler is currently an acoustic specialist at the Volpe Center of the US Department of Transportation in Cambridge, MA.

Kevin graduated magna cum laude in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, majoring in Acoustical Engineering and Music. A native of Colchester, CT, Kevin Zheng is currently an acoustical engineer in the Ship Signatures department at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, CT.

Following up our 1st place finish in last year's International Design competition, Virginia Demske ’15 of Hamburg, New York and Ethan Bourdeau ’15 of South Hero, Vermont, have received a commendation award in this year's design tournament sponsored by the Technical Committee on Architectural Acoustics of the Acoustical Society of America. The 2015 competition specified the design of a performing arts complex located next to a casino in urban Pittsburgh, PA.

Ginnie and Ethan submitted their entry in the competition while undergraduates at The University of Hartford. Their submission was a poster presentation demonstrating room acoustics, noise control, and acoustic isolation techniques in building planning and room design. Individual students or teams of two or three undergraduate or graduate students were eligible. Almost all of the 18 poster submissions from the United States and around the world were from graduate programs in acoustics. The anonymous entries were displayed and professionally judged at the society's May 2015 meeting in Pittsburgh.

Ginnie received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, magna cum laude, majoring in Acoustical Engineering and Music. She has accepted a position with Cerami & Associates Acoustical Consulting firm in New York City. Ethan received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, cum laude, majoring in Acoustical Engineering and Music. He has accepted a position with Longman-Lindsey Acoustical Consulting firm, also in New York City.

At the 2014 Acoustical Society of America conference in Providence, R.I., it was announced that the submission by the University of Hartford's undergraduate acoustics program had won FIRST HONORS in an Architectural Acoustics Student Design Competition.

The UHart team was comprised of Lucas Johnson ’14 and Wesley Axtell ’14, both graduates of our BSE Acoustical Engineering and Music program, and Rachael Kline ’14, who graduated with a BS in Architectural Engineering Technology.

This competition is intended to encourage students to express their knowledge of architectural acoustics and noise control in the design of a facility in which acoustical considerations are of significant importance. Designs are submitted as posters, and are judged by practicing architects and acoustical engineers. All posters are judged solely on their content and are anonymous — the names of the students and school are placed in an envelope on the back of the poster, and are not revealed until the winner has been selected.

There were 15 posters submitted, and nearly all of the other posters were submitted by graduate programs in acoustics. Submissions came from not only across America, but from Europe and Asia. In fact, the runners-up were from the graduate acoustics programs at Chalmers (Sweden) and the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Lucas Johnson is from Chatham, Illinois, and has recently accepted a position with AKRF Acoustic Consultants in New York City. Wesley Axtell is from Londonderry, N.H., and is currently a graduate student in the master's program in acoustics at Penn State University. Rachael Kline, Axtell's fiancee, has accompanied him to State College, PA.

For the fourth year in a row, acoustical engineering students at the University of Hartford have won a highly selective award called the Leo Beranek Student Medal for Excellence in the Study of Noise Control. The team of Adam Paul and David Arena were presented the awards as a surprise announcement during the May 2014 Commencement Ceremonies.

Activity noise can be a significant component of the ambient sound in occupied spaces such as hospitals.The team studied the effects of resilient flooring on the noise levels produced by a variety of hospital activities. Noise from footfalls, rolling medical carts, etc., is highly dependent on floor treatments within a given indoor environment. They found that it was possible to choose certain resilient floor products that produced low sound levels similar to carpet, but had surface textures that could meet the disinfection and ease of maintenance requirements in a health care environment. The team engineered novel testing apparatus to make their acoustics evaluations.

Adam graduated summa cum laude in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, majoring in Acoustical Engineering and Music. Originally from East Falmouth, MA, Adam Paul is currently an acoustical engineer with Shen, Milsom & Wilkie, LLC in New York City.

David graduated cum laude in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Concentration in Acoustics. A native of Shrewsbury, MA, David Areana is currently an acoustical engineer at Lewis S. Goodfriend & Associates, Inc. in Whippany, New Jersey.

At the 2014 CETA diploma ceremony, Adam Paul and Christopher Vincent were surprised to hear they had been awarded the Robert Bradford Newman Student Medal for Merit in Architectural Acoustics.

This highly selective national award, administered by the Acoustical Society of America, is named for Robert B. Newman of BBN (Bolt, Beranek & Newman, one of the original acoustical consulting firms). Students selected for the Newman Medal must have demonstrated excellence in this discipline and in the application of acoustical design principles in the course of their studies. Chris and Adam were honored for their work with Smith-Edwards Architects on the design of a proposed music arts center for Trinity College. The project involved acoustic modeling of a rehearsal hall, music bistro, practice rooms as well as recommendations for reduction of ventilation noise.

Adam graduated summa cum laude in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, majoring in Acoustical Engineering and Music. Originally from East Falmouth, MA, Adam Paul is currently an acoustical engineer with Shen, Milsom & Wilkie, LLC in New York City.

Christopher graduated magna cum laude in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, majoring in Acoustical Engineering and Music. Originally from Golden, CO, Mr. Vincent is currently a systems analyst with Titan Lenders Corporation in Denver, Colorado.