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Program Description
Administered by faculty from the College of Arts & Architecture's School of Music, School of Theatre, and Department of Integrative Arts, the minor in Music Technology is appropriate for undergraduate students seeking to apply domains of knowledge from their majors or General Education programs to issues of audio production and digital technology in music.
The program consists of prescribed foundation courses in musical acoustics, digital audio, sound design and audio recording. Supporting course work allows students to focus in advanced topics such as music software programming, multi-media, or entertainment systems.
The Music Technology Minor Committee is authorized to award a minor certificate to any undergraduate who, in addition to satisfying the degree requirements of his or her baccalaureate major, satisfies the requirements for the Music Technology minor. The completion of the minor is reflected by a formal notation in the student's official record at the time of graduation.
For more information about the music technololgy minor, check the School of Music website at http://music.psu.edu/prospective/mustechminor.html.
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.
You Might Like This Program If...
You have interests in recording, sound production, and acoustics and have a background in music and computer software. While open to students pursuing any major, the music technology minor combines well with majors in music, theatre sound design, integrative arts, film production, information science and technology, and computer science.
Entrance to the Minor
Those interested in the music technology minor are encouraged to begin taking applicable courses as early as possible. Students must apply to the minor no later than the beginning of their 6th semester. Students who have earned at least a grade of C in INART 50, INART 258A and THEA 285 may apply for admission to the program by submitting an application including a course proposal.
Additional Information
For more specific information on entrance procedures, please visit the website for the College of Arts and Architecture.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 21 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| 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 |
| MUSIC 8 | Rudiments of Music | 3 |
| THEA 285 | Introduction to Sound Design | 3 |
| THEA 484 | Sound Recording Techniques | 3 |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 credits in consultation with the minor advisor with at least 3 credits at the 400 level | 6 | |
Learning Outcomes
- Ability to integrate and synthesize basic musical and technological knowledge and skills in the conceptualization of music technology projects.
- Ability to produce work in at least one area of music technology.
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 Higgins
Academic Adviser
104 Borland Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-9523
mah68@psu.edu
Career Paths
Students who pursue a minor in music technology develop skills in applying technology to music production and performance. These skills may provide opportunities in varied career options and graduate study opportunities
Careers
Students who complete the music technology minor will have skills that can be developed for use in many areas of music production. Acoustic consultant, audio and sound engineer, recording engineer and mixer, music editor and sound designer are just some of the jobs that use music technology.
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
A minor in music technology may open up opportunities for further study at the graduate level.
Contact
University Park
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
233 Music Building I
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-0431
music-ug-adm@psu.edu