Program overview
Acoustics may sound abstract, but it's all around you—noise cancellation during phone calls, perfect sound in concert halls, and ultrasound imaging in hospitals all rely on it. This major studies the generation, propagation, reception, and effects of sound. Core courses include Fundamentals of Acoustics, Vibration and Waves, Digital Signal Processing, Electroacoustic Technology, Noise Control, and Ultrasonics. You'll learn to analyze sound using physics and mathematics, and also get hands-on with experiments like measuring room reverberation time or designing a simple speaker. Chinese universities have unique strengths in acoustics: Nanjing University's Institute of Acoustics is a top research base, excelling in ultrasonic testing and environmental noise; the Institute of Acoustics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has deep expertise in underwater acoustic communication and ocean acoustics. If you enjoy physics and math, and have an interest in music, audio technology, or environmental protection, this major is a great fit. At the graduate level, you can dive deeper into cutting-edge areas like acoustic metamaterials and speech signal processing.