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BSc Music Technology and Sonic Arts

Academic Year 2018/19

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title

BSc Music Technology and Sonic Arts

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Bachelor of Science

Programme Code

MUS-BSC-SA

UCAS Code

J931

HECoS Code

100221

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Single Honours

Length of Programme

3 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

120

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Arts, English and Languages

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 6

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Music (2008)

Accreditations (PSRB)

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

Students will be notified each academic year of the optional modules being offered in the following academic year. Students are advised that not all optional modules will necessarily be offered in each academic year. Also, the delivery of a module may be subject to a minimum number of enrolments as well as unforeseen circumstances (eg illness of a member of staff). The range and content of optional modules will change over time as degree programmes develop and students' choice of optional modules may also be limited due to timetabling constraints.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

To develop a broad range of creative, technological and practical skills to facilitate:

• recording and composing music

• editing, processing, analysing and synthesising sound

• designing sound to accompany other media

To understand the physical and perceptual properties of sound and the design of musical instruments and performance spaces

To foster critical evaluation of technologically mediated music

To enable the acquisition of a wide range of transferable skills in effective verbal and written communication, information technology, teamwork and time-management

To encourage a commitment to professional standards, punctuality, reliability, commitment, self-discipline and self-presentation

Through these means to enrich the experience and foster the personal development of the student

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Engage with and evaluate a variety of sources (texts, programming code, notated and graphic scores, sound recordings, fixed media sound design and composition, recorded and live performances)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, small group tutorials, rehearsals, workshops, self-arranged study, work experience, seminar presentations.

Methods of Assessment

Composition, sound design and recording portfolios, written examinations, listening tests, computer programming exercises, projects, experimental design, learning journals.

Demonstrate independent thinking and critical analysis

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, small group tutorials, rehearsals, workshops, self-arranged study, work experience, seminar presentations

Methods of Assessment

Composition, sound design and recording portfolios, written examinations, listening tests, computer programming exercises, projects, experimental design, learning journals.

Work independently and as part of a team demonstrated through individual and group work (written and practical)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, small group tutorials, self-arranged study, work experience, rehearsals, class group-work, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Performances (particularly ensemble performance), composition, sound design and recording portfolios, written examinations, listening tests, computer programming exercises, projects, experimental design, learning journals, seminar presentations, concert reviews

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate skilful expression

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Specific teaching methods of this kind include lectures, small group tutorial, self-arranged study, work experience, seminar presentations, and identification of a role in the context of a group practice.

Methods of Assessment

The most common method of assessment is throughout projects or continuous assessment of individuals or group presentations, especially in the areas of performance and composition.

Transmit and interpret knowledge and ideas

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Music Technology promotes a method of learning with a balance between theory and practice with a considerable degree of practical experimentation and group projects.

Methods of Assessment

In practice sessions, peer-evaluation of class tasks is an innovative method of assessment, which promotes composition and performance analysis and critical thinking.

Search for specific knowledge and to conceptualise potential needs and solutions for meeting those needs.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Specific teaching methods of this kind include lectures, small group tutorial, self-arranged study, work experience, seminar presentations, and identification of a role in the context of a group practice.

Methods of Assessment

The most common method of assessment is through projects or continuous assessment of individuals or group presentations, especially in the areas of performance and composition.

Use interpersonal skills for conflict resolution, relating to and helping colleagues.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Interpersonal skills are developed through small-group sessions, seminars and presentations.

Methods of Assessment

For the most part, this is assessed through group and ensemble projects and performances.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate a broad range of intellectual and practical skills in music technology, with emphasis in the creative use of its tools. These include especially the areas of software programming for musical applications, sound recording of a variety of music genres and styles, technology applied to musical performance, composition and sound design, digital signal processing of audio materials, the design of new musical instruments and musical interfaces and critical listening.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Specific teaching methods include individual and group tutorials, lectures, seminars and resource-based learning. The School provides support for the curriculum by inviting key performers and speakers, and practical tuition where appropriate.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment methods include projects submitted to a deadline (assessed individually) and on occasion group presentation.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Use and understand programming languages applied to musical applications

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Programming is taught through lab-based lectures, small group tutorials, online self-directed study.

Methods of Assessment

Projects, programming exercises, compositions, performances

Demonstrate a practical knowledge of the latest applications of studio equipment for music creation and sound recording

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Studio and recording techniques are taught through lecture presentations, practical lab sessions using relevant computer software, small group tutorials in the School's studio spaces, technical listening sessions in the Sonic Lab, and student platform presentations of work in progress.

Methods of Assessment

Studio and computer software based practical examinations, formative and summative practical projects, listening assessments, written examination.

Show skills in performance practice

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Performance is taught through weekly workshops, group lessons with performance tutors, and attendance at concerts, seminars, and master-classes by visiting artists.

Methods of Assessment

Individual and ensemble formative and summative performances, concert reviews.

Demonstrate composition and sound design skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Composition and Sound Design are taught through weekly lectures, tutorials, practical lab sessions using relevant computer software, student-led study and attendance at concerts and seminars by visiting artists.

Methods of Assessment

Practice based continuous assessment.

Demonstrate an understanding of acoustics, auditory perception, sound synthesis and digital processing of audio signals

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Acoustics, sound synthesis and digital signal processing are taught through lectures, tutorials, practical lab sessions using relevant computer software.

Methods of Assessment

Individual and group projects, experimental design, written examination.

Demonstrate experience of the design and construction of new musical instruments and interfaces

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Interaction design is taught through weekly lectures and tutorials, self-directed study, and attendance at concerts, seminars and master-classes by visiting artists.

Methods of Assessment

Group and individual projects, performance, continuous assessment

MODULE INFORMATION

Stages and Modules

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

Assessment
S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Composition 3 MUS3087 3 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Electroacoustic Composition II MTE3003 3 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Audio Engineering 3 MTE3009 3 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 75% 25% 0%
Portfolio MTE3000 3 40 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Traditional Irish Music: Form, Style and Development MUS3069 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 40% 10% 50%
Directed Study MUS3099 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Psychoacoustics MTE3005 3 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Film and Music: Theory and Criticism FLM3024 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Politics in Popular Song from the French Revolution to Punk MUS3055 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Work-based Learning AEL3001 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Designing Musical Interactions MUS3032 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%

Notes

Level 3 Students must take 120 CATS points. Students must include MTE3000 Portfolio (a double module) and at least 2 from MTE3003, MTE3005, MUS3032 and MTE3009. The remaining module(s) may be chosen from other optional modules listed above or from other available modules in the Faculty subject to timetabling and module pre-requisites.