This five-day course seeks to provide delegates with a basic knowledge of the methodology of environmental noise measurement, including the use and accuracy requirements of sound level meters and analysers. You'll become aware of the significance of measurement data against the framework of standards and legislation for environmental noise.

It is expected students to be literate and numerate to be able to carry out basic scientific calculations using a GCSE-level scientific calculator. We strongly recommend that applicants have a minimum attainment level in Maths and English of GCSE level A or equivalent.

The course is generally considered by past students as intense and demanding, although highly rewarding and extremely valuable. Self-study and revision of material covered is needed on going basis along the course to complete the course successfully.

The Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement (CCENM) is suitable for environmental health officers, sound engineers and event managers, or those in a similar field.

The course is structured to cover several key topics: 

• Basic concepts and noise units, inclusive of sound pressure and sound power, pure tones, frequency, the audible range, broadband noise, octave and third-octave frequency analysis of noise.    
• Instrumentation for environmental noise measurement through types of sound level meters for measurement of steady noise levels.
• Noise indices and measurement methodology for environmental noise measurement, covering the measurement of transportation, industrial, construction site noise and non-specific noise levels.
• Environmental noise measurement in practice, and the use of sound level meters for typical environmental noise measurements.
• Basic aspects of noise propagation, looking at propagation from point, line and planar noise sources, idealised and actual.

At the end of the course there is an exam-based assessment.

After successfully completing Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement (CCENM), participants will be able to make reliable measurements of background noise and noise from a variety of sources, according to the requirements of the relevant British Standard or guidance document.

They will also be able to present and interpret measurement data in a form suitable for inclusion in a report, identify in outline the principle methods of noise control to mitigate the impact of noise on the community. 

Participants will also be able to explain measurement methodology and the data acquired, appreciate the measurement content of reports and environmental appraisals and comment on proposals for noise impact mitigation.

Dr Luis Gomez-Agustina 

Director of the Institute of Acoustics Diploma and Certificate courses, Senior Lecturer at LSBU

Professor Stephen Dance

Professor in Acoustics in the Division of Civil and Building Services Engineering; Course Director for the MSc in Environmental and Architectural Acoustics at LSBU

This course is taught in person. Face to face sessions will be taught on campus at the Acoustics Lab. Facilities include a full-size reverberation chamber, anechoic chambers, two audiometric booths and a laboratory, with access to instrumentation and technology, which includes B&K shaker, accelerometers, head and torso simulator and calibrated sound source.  

The course totals approximately 35 teaching hours, running for 5 days over a two-week period. Hours are 09:00-17:00 on each day of the course, with a 1 hour lunch break.

The first 4 days are spent teaching content, and the final day is the practical and written assessment day. Students must be available for all five days: if the assessment day is missed by any student, it will result in an automatic fail. 

The course is generally considered by past students as intense and demanding, although highly rewarding and extremely valuable. Self-study and revision of material covered is needed on an ongoing basis in order to complete the course successfully.

There is a written exam and practical assessment on the final day.

Participants that complete the course and pass the exam and assessment will be awarded a certificate that satisfies the educational requirements for Technician Membership of the Institute of Acoustics (TechIOA).

IOA membership can provide contacts and networking opportunities for members.

Applications for the May cohort are now closed. We will update this site with information about the Autumn cohort when we have confirmed the dates.

Please ensure that you have the relevant funding approval before you submit an application. Once you have confirmed your acceptance of the participant place, deferred attendance is not possible. Cancellations within six weeks of the course start date will be charged at 30%, and within two weeks, at 100% of course fees. 

If you have a question that we haven’t answered here, please contact lsbushortcourses@ac.uk and we will respond to your query within 48 hours.