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Music & Audio

Program Description

This concentration prepares students for both composer and sound designer roles in AAA, indie, or other industries such as film, theater, or live events. Students take courses in traditional music theory, composition, and performance, as well as music technology and audio engineering.

Course Requirements

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS [30c]


ENG 120 Expository Writing (English Composition 1)

ENG 220 Writing About Literature (English Composition 2)

COM 2404 Interpersonal Communication (Individual & Society) MUSHL 101 A Thousand Years of Listening (Creative Expression)

MUSTH 101 Music Theory Fundamentals (Creative Expression)

RUSS 293 Folklore: A Comparative Study (World Cultures & Global Issues) HIS 3209 History of Technology (US History) PHY 400 Physics of Music (Scientific World)

PHY 141 Sound, Speech and Music (Lab Science) CSCI 48 Spreadsheet Programming (Math)


CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS [60c]


SCI 31920  Intro to Game Programming (A)

SCI 31106 Game Design 1 (A)

SCI 31921 Games and Their History: Game Systems Analysis

ENT 1100 Introduction to Entertainment Technology

ENT 1201 Basic Electricity for Live Entertainment

ENT 1203 Basic Electricity for Live Entertainment Lab

ENT 1270 Sound Technology I

ENT 2370 Sound Technology II (A)

ENT 4470 Sound Design (A)

MUSC 3261 Electroacoustic Music I

MUSC 3262 Electroacoustic Music II (A)

MUSC 3260 Introduction to Music Technology

MUSC 5540 Music Entrepreneurship (A)

MUSTH 220 Music Theory I

MUSTH 230 Musicianship I

MUSTH 221 Music Theory II

MUSTH 231 Musicianship II

MUSTH 335 Orchestration (A)

MST 323 Scoring for Media (A)

MSP 445 Conducting

MSP 190 Group Piano I

MSP 191 Group Piano 2


1 Composition course (MUSTH 385, MUS 425, MST 319, etc)


Elective Choices

Featured Course Descriptions

ENT 4470 - Sound Design 

An investigation of the techniques and practices of sound design, emphasizing the use of modern computer-based recording and playback techniques. Sampling, hard-disk playback systems, sequencing, MIDI, systems integration, the use of surround systems, low- frequency elements and specials to achieve a variety of effects will be covered. Sound design practices will include script analysis, sound cue construction, integration with director and communication with other members of the design team. Additional areas of concentration will include development of cues based on functional, transitional, underscoring, surreal and hyper-real techniques; integration of musical and soundscape aesthetics; practice on Macintosh computer platforms using Digital Performer, Pro-Tools and a variety of plug-ins; programming of automation equipment and development of robust redundant systems capable of sustaining a high-use theatrical environment. 


MUSTH 335 Orchestration

Capabilities and limitations of the orchestral instruments; practice in scoring for small and large groups; instrument demonstrations and reading session.


MUSC 5540 Music Entrepreneurship

Students will be instructed in topics related to building a career as an independent musician, including self-marketing, applying for jobs, behavior at job interviews and auditions, financial literacy, contracts, copyright, licensing, writing grant applications, and other areas pertinent to a musician's career development.

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