2011 Spring Noise Conference

Student Centre

One of the founding principles of the AANA is to encourage the study of acoustics, and how better than by reaching out to students?

What is Acoustical Engineering?

Acoustical engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with problems relating to sound and vibration. This includes applications in areas such as noise control, noise regulation, ultrasound, medical imaging, architectural and the environment. Acoustical engineers must consider the impacts of sound on human and animal health, in both physical and psychological terms. Bats, for instance, are negatively affected by the sound generated by wind turbines. Humans living in an urban community may lose sleep over mechanical instruments humming nearby. Acoustical engineers work to analyze and eliminate problems such as these using economical and practical solutions.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Spring Noise Conference is always looking for student volunteers willing to help throughout the conference duration. Responsibilities include assisting at the registration desk, loading presentations, directing participants to designated rooms and helping where needed. This is a valuable opportunity to participate in an industry conference and network with acoustic professionals.

Contact volunteers@springnoiseconference.com for more information.

Student Resources

ASA Student Zone
The ASA Student Zone is run by the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Student Council and is meant to serve as a source of information and a point of contact for students and young scientists in North America that are interested in acoustics and related fields. Within this site you will find information about the ASA Student Council, the ASA itself, and activities that are geared towards students. You can also learn about the various ways in which students can get involved in the Society, the different branches of acoustics and fellowship & grant opportunities.

INCE Student Affairs Committee
The INCE student affairs committee wants to help students to get more guidance on careers and further education in noise control. The committee's primary function is to connect students who are looking who are looking for career or education guidance with members of INCE in their area of interest.

Acoustics and Noise Research Group of the University of British Columbia
This group is directed by Professor Murray Hodgson in the School of Environmental Health and the Department of Mechanical Engineering for students interested in graduate studies in acoustics, or undergraduate students (of various disciplines) who are interested in a final-year (e.g. EECE 496, MECH 455/6/7, APSC 479) or directed-studies (e.g. MECH 410, PHYS 349) project in acoustics for course credit. There are also opportunities for students interested in working in acoustics for co-op, summer or other work-terms.

Schulich Soundstage
In 2008 AANA members alongside University of Calgary staff and students organized an undergraduate acoustics lab and a students' society called the Schulich Soundstage. Soundstage supports engineering students who play a musical instrument or have an interest in music/acoustics.



University of Alberta Mechanical Engineering Acoustics & Noise Unit
The Mechanical Engineering Acoustics and Noise Unit (MEANU) was founded in 1984. It has the distinction of being the only full-scale Canadian acoustics laboratory directly associated with a university and, therefore, allows for educational and research use of the facility along with commercial resting. As well, MEANU functions under the Department of Mechanical Engineering, which simplifies access to facilities in the Department.

Audio Engineering Society Student Chapters
Interested in Audio Engineering? Being a Student Member of the Audio Engineering Society has never been more important, as technology whips forward and many segments of our industry literally reinvent themselves. A successful career in audio must be built on future-proof knowledge and skills, supported by a community of professionals who share your passion for audio and commitment to the highest audio quality. Future and current students need the chance to study in the Educational Program best-aligned with their interests and abilities, so the AES maintains an online directory of educational institutions worldwide.

Canadian Scholarship Opportunities

Eugene Bolstad Award Alberta Acoustics & Noise Association

In honor of one of the founding acousticians in Alberta, Eugene Bolstad, each Spring Noise Conference an award is given to the student authors whose papers were voted top undergraduate and top graduate or post-graduate paper by the organizing committee. Since its inception in 2007 the Eugene Bolstad Award has been awarded to five student authors at the Spring Noise Conference. This award helps offset travel costs for the students to present their papers at the conference. Students who present a paper at the conference are automatically entered for this award.

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Young Scientist Conference Attendance Grants International Institute of Noise Control Engineering (I-INCE)

The Young Scientist (YS) Grant is a grant offerred by I-INCE to encourage the participation of young scientists at InterNoise Conferences. The grant includes complimentary registration for the congress, with the remainder of the grant available to partially cover travel and accommodation expenses. The notification of the award of the prestigious YS Grant may be used to assist with obtaining additional funding from other sources.

Candidates must be relatively early in their professional careers (typically less than 10 years of active career). They can be either undergraduate or postgraduate students, postdoctoral, or young acousticians or noise control engineers working in industry.

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Raymond Hétu Prize in Acoustics Canadian Acoustical Association

The prize is open to any undergraduate student at a Canadian institution having completed, during the past academic year or previous summer, a project in any field of acoustics or vibration, for which a scholarly product can be submitted as evidence of his/her contribution (publication, technical report, other original work by the student). Projects done by more than one student working together will be considered as a team application.

The winner will receive a book in acoustics and a one-year student membership to the CAA, which includes a subscription to the Canadian Acoustics journal. The winner will be provided with a list of texts and reference materials from which to choose, or the winner may make an alternative proposal, which must be approved by the Prize Coordinator.

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Canadian Acoustical Association Student Presentation Awards & Student Travel Subsidies

The Canadian Acoustical Association offers awards to the best student presentations during the technical sessions at Acoustics Week in Canada. Three awards of $500 are offered each year. A fourth award in the same amount can be given in case of a tie for third place.

The Canadian Acoustical Association offers travel subsidies to assist student members who are presenting a paper at the annual conference during Acoustics Week in Canada. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to receive a travel subsidy.