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The Music Department offers two distinct majors: a B.A. in Music and a B.A. in Music Technology. Additionally, students can complete minors in music or music technology. The department also offers ensembles and private lessons that students may take for credit.
Music Major (B.A.)
Music major offerings are designed to provide an understanding of music through a study of music history, culture, theory, technology, and creation, as well as performance opportunities. The curriculum integrates musicology, music theory, music technology, and music creation across a range of musical genres and styles, while providing ensemble and applied music instruction as a basis for connecting practical and analytical aspects of the discipline. Students who complete a music major can pursue graduate study but can also apply their knowledge of music to performing arts administration, music therapy, and music business applications.
Requirements for Majors
All students majoring in music will:
- Take core coursework in music theory, history, culture, technology, and composition.
- Take additional coursework in the area of their interest to deepen their understanding and skills.
- Complete their degree with a capstone project.
- Participate in four semesters of either ensemble performance or applied lesson study.
A major in Music consists of 44 credits in both academic (40 hours) and applied/ensemble (4 hours) music courses.
- Three semesters (12 semester hours) of Music Theory & Cognition courses: MUS-120 and 220, and one 300-level elective chosen from MUS-326W or 328.
- Three semesters (12 semester hours) of Music History & Culture courses: MUS-205, 206, 207, 208, 305W, 306W, 307, and 311W where at least one must be either MUS-205 or 206.
- One semester (4 semester hour) of Music Technology: MUS-226.
- One semester (4 semester hours) of Composition: MUS-309 or 321W.
- One elective course (4 semester hours) at the 200- or 300-level.
- Either MUS-401 or 491 (4 semester hours). MUS-401 is the major capstone. MUS-491 is reserved for Honors Research and may be substituted for MUS-401 with permission of department chair.
- Four semesters (4 semester hours) of music ensemble and/or applied music chosen from the following: MUS-00X, MUS-01X, MUS-02X, 03X, 04X, 05X, 06X, or 07X. Students may only count one credit per semester towards this requirement for a total of two years of ensemble participation.
* MUS-305W, 306W, 311W, 321W, or MUS-326W will fulfill the writing-intensive (W) requirement.
*MUS-401 will fulfill the oral presentation requirement as all students enrolled will present their research at an end-of-semester symposium.
Requirements for Minor
A minor concentration in music consists of a minimum of five courses in music.
Requirements include:
- MUS-120
- MUS-226
- One Music History & Culture course from: MUS-205, 206, 207, 208, 305W, 306W, 307, or 311W.
- Two additional music courses. Ensembles, lessons, internships, and research coursework are encouraged but do not count towards the minor.
Note: One course in the minor MUST be chosen from the 300-level.
Music Technology Major (B.A.)
The Music Technology major is designed to provide an understanding of music and sound through the study of recording technology, music production, music theory, music history, and creative practice. The curriculum integrates these approaches across a range of genres and styles with an emphasis on recording, sound design, synthesis, production, and how they are applied in contemporary professional technological ecosystems. Coursework provides opportunities to connect technical, creative, analytical, and collaborative aspects of the discipline. Students who complete a music technology major are prepared for careers in areas such as audio engineering, sound design, music production, and other fields in the music industry, as well as graduate study.
Requirements for Majors
All students majoring in music technology will:
- Take core coursework in music technology and general music studies.
- Take additional music technology coursework in the area of their interest to deepen their understanding and skills.
- Take additional breadth elective courses in departments outside of music.
- Complete their degree with a capstone project.
- Complete an internship or teaching assistantship in music technology.
A major in Music Technology consists of a minimum of 49 credit hours.
- Three courses (12 semester hours) of Music Technology core courses: MUS-226, 227, and 228.
- Two courses (8 semester hours) of Music Technology electives chosen from the following options: MUS-308, 309, 321W, 323, MUS/CS-310, MUS/CS-372, or MUS/TD/ART-233.
- Three courses (12 semester hours) of general music core courses:
a. Two music theory courses: MUS-120, 220
b. One course in music history & culture chosen from the following: MUS-205, 206, 207, 208, 305W, 306W, 307, or 311W. - One course (3 or 4 credit hours) of applied music technology chosen from the following: MUS-381, 382, or both 390 and 391.
- One course (4 semester hours) from either MUS-402 or 491. MUS-402 is the major capstone. MUS-491 is reserved for Honors Research and may be substituted for MUS-402 with permission of department chair.
- Two semesters (2 semester hours) of music ensemble and/or applied music chosen from the following: MUS-00X, MUS-01X, MUS-02X, 03X, 04X, 05X, or 06X, or 07X. Students may only count one credit per semester towards this requirement for a total of one year of ensemble/lessons participation.
- Two courses (8 semester hours) chosen from the following breadth electives: CS-173, 174; MATH-111, 112; MCS-220, 327; PHYS-111Q, 112, 121Q, 122Q.
* MUS-305W, 306W, 311W, or 321W will fulfill the writing-intensive (W) requirement.
*MUS-402 will fulfill the oral presentation (O) requirement as all students enrolled will present their research at an end-of-semester symposium.
Requirements for Minor
A minor concentration in Music Technology consists of a minimum of five courses:
- MUS-120
- MUS-226
- MUS-227
- MUS-228
- One additional 300-level course in music technology