Course on Acoustic Modeling in Urban Environments
Online course of 300 hours in acoustic modelling in urban environments, structured in 6 modules covering urban environmental acoustics, the regulatory framework, CNOSSOS-EU calculation methods, noise modelling and mapping, and noise control measures under Directive 2002/49/EC and Directive (EU) 2015/996, with an assigned technical tutor.
Course on Acoustic Modeling in Urban Environments — studying from New Zealand
Civil engineering is one of New Zealand's largest engineering employers, driven by the need for earthquake-resilient infrastructure, roading, water and wastewater systems across a seismically active country. Major projects include Auckland's City Rail Link and Wellington's transport upgrades, with rail maintained largely by KiwiRail. Engineers work for consultancies, contractors and councils, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment administers the Building Act and related standards, while Waka Kotahi manages the national land transport network.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,580 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
What is the recognition pathway for civil and rail engineers in New Zealand?
Engineering New Zealand administers Chartered Professional Engineer registration, which is the main recognised professional standard for civil engineers. Rail is regulated through the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and the Ministry of Transport. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by a national body, so employers or the relevant body decide how much weight to give them.
Who hires civil, rail and smart city engineers in New Zealand?
Employers include city and regional councils, central government agencies, consultancies, contractors, and rail and transport operators. Smart city roles increasingly combine infrastructure knowledge with data and digital systems. Hiring usually depends on registration, experience and project records, so a private qualification is a supporting credential rather than a guaranteed entry point.
Will I need a visa, and how do fees and employer funding work?
No student visa is needed to study from home, because all programmes are 100% online and taught in English. Each programme includes an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and specialist courses 300, so check the time commitment against your workload.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand urban noise indicators and propagation.
Apply European and Spanish environmental noise regulations.
Calculate sound levels with the CNOSSOS-EU method.
Build and validate urban acoustic models.
Carry out measurements in accordance with ISO 1996.
Design noise reduction measures.
Produce an acoustic modelling study of an urban area.
Who it's for
- Environmental acoustics technicians.
- Acoustic modellers working on noise mapping.
- Environmental assessment consultants.
- Municipal noise officers.
- Noise control engineers.
- Acoustic testing laboratory technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to work in local councils and public authorities.
What you'll work with
- Directive 2002/49/EC (assessment and management of environmental noise)
- Directive (EU) 2015/996 (common noise assessment methods, CNOSSOS-EU)
- Law 37/2003 (Spanish Noise Act)
- Royal Decree 1513/2005 (implementation of the Noise Act: assessment and management)
- Royal Decree 1367/2007 (implementation of the Noise Act: zoning and quality objectives)
- ISO 1996 (description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise)
- IEC 61672 (sound level meters)
- ISO 9613-2 (attenuation of sound during propagation outdoors)
- CadnaA
- SoundPLAN
- Predictor-LimA
- NoiseModelling
- QGIS
6 modules
1.1Sound, noise and acoustic quantities1.2Decibel levels and A-weighting1.3Lden, Ld, Le and Ln indicators1.4Urban noise sources1.5Outdoor propagation1.6Health effects of noise1.7WHO environmental noise guidelines1.8Perception and annoyance1.9Soundscape and perception1.10Case study: reading a strategic noise map
2.1Directive 2002/49/EC on environmental noise2.2Law 37/2003 on Noise2.3Royal Decree 1513/20052.4Royal Decree 1367/2007 and quality objectives2.5Acoustic zoning of the territory2.6Strategic noise maps2.7Action plans2.8Special acoustic protection zones2.9Municipal noise by-laws2.10Practical exercise: acoustic zoning of a neighbourhood
3.1Structure of the CNOSSOS-EU method3.2Road traffic emission3.3Railway noise emission3.4Industrial noise modelling3.5Aircraft noise3.6Propagation: divergence, absorption and ground effect3.7Diffraction and screening3.8Favourable meteorological conditions3.9Calculation of the exposed population3.10Workshop: manual calculation of the level at a receiver
4.1Input data: cartography, buildings and traffic4.2Modelling sources in software4.3Calculation parameters and grids4.4Level maps and façade maps4.5Validation with measurements4.6Measurements according to ISO 19964.7Sound level meters and calibration4.8Calculation uncertainty4.9Export to GIS4.10Lab: noise map of an urban area
5.1Noise barriers and their design5.2Low-noise road surfaces and their durability5.3Traffic management and speed limits5.4Railway and tram noise5.5Façade insulation5.6Night-time leisure noise5.7Urban design and quiet areas5.8Cost-effectiveness assessment of measures5.9Public participation in the process5.10Case study: action plan for an avenue
6.1Definition of scope and objectives6.2Collection of input data6.3Construction of the acoustic model6.4Calculation of indicators6.5Comparison with on-site measurements6.6Analysis of the exposed population6.7Proposal of corrective measures6.8Assessment of scenarios6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The course is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is CadnaA, SoundPLAN, Predictor-LimA, NoiseModelling and QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: preparation of noise maps, outdoor acoustic measurements and assessment of corrective measures. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.
Standards covered: Directive 2002/49/EC; Directive (EU) 2015/996; Law 37/2003; Royal Decree 1513/2005; Royal Decree 1367/2007; ISO 1996; IEC 61672; ISO 9613-2.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with CadnaA, SoundPLAN, Predictor-LimA, NoiseModelling and QGIS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme's software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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