Course I covers the basics of vibration and acoustics, including measurement and analysis. Major topics include single-degree-of-freedom oscillators, wave propagation, and sound level meters. As the first course in the series, Course I also include a review of the physics and mathematics concepts most relevant to noise control engineering and an introduction to basic analysis software.
Dr. Tyler Dare is an Assistant Research Professor at Penn State University, specializing in experimental vibrations and noise control. He teaches acoustics and vibrations courses for Penn State’s Graduate Program in Acoustics and Department of Aerospace Engineering. He is the author of many INCE-USA conference and journal papers on topics such as tire-pavement noise, industrial noise, and noise control education.
For questions about Course I, contact Dr. Dare at ncecourse1@inceusa.org.
Undergraduate degree in engineering or similar experience. If you are interested in INCE-USA Board Certification, see INCE-USA Board Certification Requirements for detailed education requirements.
The course is organized into five units with five lessons in each unit, for a total of 25 lessons. For each lesson, there are lesson notes, an accompanying lecture video, and a homework assignment. The typical homework assignment includes both conceptual problems and calculation-based problems. Each assignment must be completed individually, but there is a course forum where you can interact with your fellow students and the instructor for when you have questions about the problems.
Each lesson in the course builds upon the previous one. Therefore, it is important to master the content in each lesson before moving on. When you turn in an assignment, the instructor will grade it as soon as possible. If everything is correct, the instructor will allow you to move on to the next lesson. If there are any mistakes, the instructor will give you feedback and tips and ask that you correct any mistakes and resubmit the assignment before you move on to the next lesson. As long as you eventually have everything correct, you will receive full credit for the assignment.
A proctored exam will be given at the end of the course. You will be responsible for obtaining a proctor and notifying your instructor prior to receiving a Final Exam. More information about appropriate proctors and final exam logistics will be given near the end of the course. Passing grades (70%) for all three Final Exams will be accepted in lieu of sitting for and passing the INCE Board Certification Examination.
You will receive a letter grade for the course. This grade will be weighted 50% on the homework and 50% on the Final Exam. A grade of B (80%) or better for the course is required to move on to Course II.
The course will maintain a pace of one lesson and one homework assignment per week. The 25 lessons should take approximately six months to complete.
We recognize that you have responsibilities to your professional and personal life that will take you away from your course work. This makes it difficult to maintain a rigid schedule. There is no penalty for late assignments. However, if you do fall behind the group, try to get caught back up as soon as possible so you can benefit from discussions in the course forum.
INCE-USA has imposed a time limit of one year for the course. If you do not complete the course, including the final exam, within one year, you will have to re-register for the course and pay the registration fee again.
Unit One – Orientation and Introduction to Noise Control Engineering
Lesson 1 – Basic Course Information
Lesson 2 – Computations in Octave
Lesson 3 – Plotting in Octave
Lesson 4 – The Effects of Noise and the Approach to its Control
Lesson 5 – Background Mathematics
Unit Two – Simple Mechanical Vibrations
Lesson 6 – Free Vibration of Undamped Simple Oscillators
Lesson 7 – Free Vibration of Damped Simple Oscillators
Lesson 8 – Forced Vibration of Damped Simple Oscillators
Lesson 9 – Couple Simple Oscillators
Lesson 10 – Simple Vibration Isolation Mounting Systems
Unit Three – Noise Measures and Mechanisms of Propagation
Lesson 11 – Wave Propagation
Lesson 12 – Superposition of Waves
Lesson 13 – Acoustic Energy and Power in Waves
Lesson 14 – Levels and Decibels
Lesson 15 – Spreading Losses
Unit Four – Measurements and Analysis I: Introduction
Lesson 16 – Transducers
Lesson 17 – Calibration and Use of Transducers
Lesson 18 – Using the Sound Level Meter I
Lesson 19 – Using the Sound Level Meter II
Lesson 20 – Noise Measurements
Unit Five – Sound Reflection and Absorption at Boundaries
Lesson 21 – Single Interface – Normal Incidence
Lesson 22 – Oblique Incidence on Absorptive Layers
Lesson 23 – Mechanisms of Absorption
Lesson 24 – Practical Guidance and Acoustic Measurements
Lesson 25 – Scattering
