The Music Technology program offers a varied curriculum that includes courses focused on techniques and concepts related to electronic music composition balanced with courses that involve individual creative projects. In addition, students take private composition lessons each semester they are in school, except when they are in a Music Composition seminar. Mixed with that are the courses required of all Music majors, which include several semesters of music theory and musicianship, courses in music history and general education courses required by the University. Students also have the opportunity to take free electives from outside their major.

In the first year, students take Music Technology I and Music Technology II in successive semesters. These courses use Curtis Roads' Computer Music Tutorial (MIT Press) as the course text and introduce students to a range of topics such as sound synthesis, sampling, MIDI, digital audio, and basic acoustics within a compositional context. Students study the underlying theoretical basis of each of these topics, listen to music that employs them (where appropriate) and learn software tools that allow for their implementation on the desktop, then compose original pieces that use them. Among the synthesis methods covered in the first year are FM, AM, granular, and physical modeling. Other major topics include spectral analysis, analysis/resynthesis and convolution. The first year also includes a course in instrumentation and notation.

In the second year, students take Digital Audio Processing, which is aimed at preparing music for different delivery options (Web, DVD, CD, etc.) This class covers mixing and mastering on the desktop and uses multitrack audio software to implement many of the techniques it explores. Students also take their first Music Composition Seminar. This class brings together students at similar levels in the program in an interactive, group environment. Students present both works in progress and completed work to the class for feedback and critique.

The second year also includes continued work in music theory and private composition lessons, as well as the first in the sequence of Music History (Historical Traditions) courses. This semester, students can also take their Music Tech elective, which allows them to pick a class related to their major, for example, Sound Design or perhaps, Video Basics (students may request a course for approval as their elective even if it is not listed on the approved class list).

The third year brings additional historical context to the program, as students will take (in alternate years) either History of Electronic Music or a Historical Traditions course focusing on 20th and 21st century music. Concurrently, the Music Analysis class allows students to examine music of a wide range of eras at a high level, while Composition Seminar II focuses on techniques for which a computer is best suited. Topics range from microtonal music to algorithmic composition to simulating acoustic instruments using digital tools.

The fourth year includes the class Interactive Real-time Performance. This course covers current techniques of using a computer in a live-performance setting, most often in conjunction with a human performer. Cycling '74's Max/MSP software is used as the tool to implement the course content. As noted, History of Electronic Music or Historical Traditions: 20th Century Music will also be taken.

In the fall of their fifth year, students take Composition for Electronic Instruments, which covers a number of advanced compositional techniques and allows students to work with long forms. The course requires that students compose several extended works employing the various techniques they have explored through the semester.

The fifth year concludes with the required Music Technology Capstone/Senior Recital, in which a small group of students prepare a public concert of their work under the tutelage of a faculty member.

Note that Coop opportunities, if elected, are available for Music Technology students beginning in the spring of the third year and again if the spring of the fourth year. Students also have the option of completing the entire Music Technology curriculum in four year if no coops are taken.

For official detailed information on Music Technology curriculum please see the catalog site maintained by the university registrar. New and perspective students should choose the most recent catalog. Current students can check their progress by doing a degree audit at the undergraduate student portal.

Sample Curriculum
BS in Music with Concentration in Music Technology

GENERAL MUSIC REQUIREMENTS
Music Theory (Complete the following 5 courses; Music Theory and Musicianship should be taken concurrently, as indicated)
MUS U201 Music Theory 1 (4 SH)
with MUS U241 Musicianship 1 (1 SH)
MUS U202 Music Theory 2 (4 SH)
with MUS U242 Musicianship 2 (1 SH)
MUS U303 Music Theory 3 (4 SH)
with MUS U343 Musicianship 3 (1 SH)
MUS U304 Music Theory 4 (4 SH)
with MUS U344 Musicianship 4 (1 SH)

MUS UXXX Music Analysis (4 SH)
 

Music Composition (Complete the following 3 courses)
MUS U250 Instrumentation and Notation (4 SH)
MUS U420 Music Composition Seminar 1 (4 SH)
MUS U422 Music Composition Seminar 2 (4 SH)

Music History (Complete the following 5 courses)
MUS U308 Principles of Music Literature (4 SH)
MUS U311 Historical Traditions 1: America (4 SH)
MUS U312 Historical Traditions 2: Classical (4 SH)
MUS U313 Historical Traditions 3: World (4 SH)

MUS UXX  Historical Traditions 4: 20th Century Music (4SH)

Composition Lessons (Complete the following repeatable course five times)
MUS U903 Composition Lessons (1 SH)

Ensemble (Complete 2 music ensemble credits; you may repeat the same ensemble)
MUS U904 Chorus (1 SH)
MUS U905 Band (1 SH)
MUS U906 Orchestra (1 SH)
MUS U907 Wind Ensemble (1 SH)
MUS U911 Jazz Ensemble (1 SH)
MUS U912 Rock Ensemble (1 SH)
MUS U913 Blues/Rock Ensemble (1 SH)
MUS U914 Create Your Own Music (1 SH)
MUS U915 Chamber Ensembles (1 SH)
MUS U916 Electronic Music Ensemble (1 SH)

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

Music Technology (Complete the following 4 courses)
MUS U220 Music and Technology 1 (4 SH)
MUS U221 Music and Technology 2 (4 SH)
MUS U315 History of Electronic Music (4 SH)
MUS U421 Digital Audio Processing (4 SH)

Electronic Composition and Performance (Complete the following 3 courses)
MUS U520 Interactive Real-Time Performance (4 SH)
MUS U610 Composition for Electronic Instruments (4 SH)
MUS U611 Music Technology Capstone/ Senior Recital (4 SH)

Music Technology Electives (Complete 1 course from the following list, or see your advisor for approval of other acceptable courses)

MUS U320 Sound Design (4 SH)
ART U130 Visual Studies Foundation 1 (4 SH)
ART U180 Video Basics (4 SH)
ART U290 Introduction to Digital Tools (4 SH)
MMS U305 Programming for Multimedia (4 SH)
MMS U400 Hypermedia (4 SH)
MUS U230 Music Industry 1 (4 SH)
MUS U233 Music Production for Radio and Web (4 SH)
MUS U336 Computer Applications  in Music Business (4 SH)
MUS U551 Special Topics in Music Technology (4 SH)
MUS U699 Advanced Television Production (4 SH)

Music Technology Credit Requirement
Complete 92 semester hours in the major.

General Electives
Additional courses taken beyond college and major course requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

Cooperative Education
If elected.

University-wide Requirements
128 total semester hours required
Minimum 2.000 GPA required