At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The Bachelor of Music degree program is intended to prepare students for careers in composition, music technology, or performance. Completion of this program requires that the student achieve a high level of competence in order to begin professional work or pursue further studies at the graduate level.
What is Music Technology?
Music Technology is the study of musical acoustics, digital audio, sound design, and audio recording. It is the use of devices, machines, or tools used to create, record, store, edit, and reproduce music.
Entrance to Major
Entrance into this program will be determined by departmental evaluation.
Entrance Procedures
Students interested in pursuing Music (B.M.) should follow the appropriate first year, change of major, or transfer application instructions found under Music Admission Information at https://arts.psu.edu/how-to-apply/#specific.
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Technology a minimum of 120 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 11-12 |
| Requirements for the Major | 75-76 |
12 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 3 credits of GA courses, 3 credits of GN courses, 6 credits of GQ courses.
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| INART 50 | The Science of Music  | 3 |
| INART 258A | Fundamentals of Digital Audio | 3 |
| MATH 38 | Elementary Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MUSIC 40 | First-Year Seminar in Music | 1 |
| MUSIC 101 | Music Common Hour | 1 |
| MUSIC 121 | Basic Musicianship I | 1 |
| MUSIC 122 | Basic Musicianship II | 1 |
| MUSIC 127 | Introduction to Music Technology | 1 |
| MUSIC 131 | Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSIC 132 | Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUSIC 162 | Introduction to Music History | 2 |
| MUSIC 177 | ROARS lab 1 | 8 |
| MUSIC 221 | Basic Musicianship III | 1 |
| MUSIC 222 | Basic Musicianship IV | 1 |
| MUSIC 231 | Music Theory III | 2 |
| MUSIC 261 | Survey of Music History I | 3 |
| MUSIC 262 | Survey of Music History II | 3 |
| MUSIC 270 | Keyboard Skills IV: Music Major | 1 |
| MUSIC 332 | Analysis of Twentieth Century Music | 2 |
| MUSIC 437 | Music Information Retrieval and Computer-Assisted Music | 3 |
| MUSIC 451 | Computer Programming for Musicians | 3 |
| MUSIC 452 | Computer Music Synthesis | 3 |
| MUSIC 453 | Recording Studio Training | 1 |
| MUSIC 458 | Electronic Music Composition I | 3 |
| THEA 484 | Sound Recording Techniques | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Select 8 credits of Applied MUSIC courses | 8 | |
| Select 4 credits of approved ensembles (see School of Music Handbook for list of ensembles) | 4 | |
| Select 3 credits of W-designated courses from the following: MUSIC 461W or MUSIC 462W or MUSIC 463W or MUSIC 464W | 3 | |
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| MATH 31 | Mathematics of Music | 3-4 |
| or MATH 41 | Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry | |
- 1
Students will repeat MUSIC 177, a 1-credit course, for a total of 8 credits.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Margaret Arnold
Academic Adviser
104 Borland Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-9523
mah68@psu.edu
Contact
University Park
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
233 Music Building I
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-0431
music-ug-adm@psu.edu