Acoustical Oceanography

Acoustical Oceanography

Using sound to study the ocean

Back to acoustics careers

?

Impact

Track climate change by measuring ocean temperature and currents
Study how marine life uses sound and is affected by noise
Detect underwater mines and submarines
Map the seafloor

RESPONSIBILITIES

Problem solving
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Conducting research
Developing and testing equipment
Data collection and analysis
Computational modeling
Fieldwork

SKILLS DEVELOPED

Acoustics
Signal processing
Programming
Data analysis
Critical thinking
Problem solving
Communication

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Collaborative
Innovative
Interdisciplinary
Opportunities to travel

OCCUPATIONS

Research Scientist
Research Engineer

POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS

Navy research laboratories
Oceanographic research institutions
Companies that design underwater systems and marine technologies
Government

COLLEGE PATHWAYS

Select a major that will provide a strong background: physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied math, or oceanography
Apply for internships at oceanographic centers, navy labs, oceanographic and NOAA

EXPLORE

Focus on key subjects: physics, computer science, math, biology, engineering
Seek opportunities for hands-on experience with technology
Start learning programming
Explore online resources to learn about underwater acoustics and signal processing
Try out oceanography summer camps and internships

Learn more

See also:

Animal Bioacoustics, Underwater Communications

Check out the ASA Acoustical Oceanography Technical Committee
This committee is concerned with the development and use of acoustical techniques to measure and understand the physical, biological, geological and chemical parameters and processes of the sea.

Read Acoustics Today magazine articles

Anthropogenic Sound & Animals: The potential effects of human generated (anthropogenic) sound include impairment of detection of sound by other animals, physiological changes such as hormonal changes, and changes in behavior because of the presence of anthropogenic sounds in an animals normal habitat.
Underwater Acoustics: Underwater acoustics is the study of sound in the sea. It encompasses a huge range of topics including the physics of acoustic propagation and the effects of the oceanographic features. the rough surface, the ice canopy in polar regions, and the bathymetry and properties of the seafloor. Both animals and humans use sound in the sea to find resources, navigate and communicate. This collection provides a broad sampling of the field of ocean acoustics.

Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS)

Back to acoustics careers

Exit mobile version