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Undergraduate Programme Specification

BSc Audio Engineering

Academic Year 2021/22

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 Audio Engineering Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Bachelor of Science
Programme Code MUS-BSC-AE UCAS Code J930 HECoS Code 100221 - Music technology - 50
100222 - Audio technology - 50
ATAS Clearance Required No
Mode of Study Full Time
Type of Programme Single Honours Length of Programme Full Time - 3 Academic Year(s) Total Credits for Programme 360
Exit Awards available

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Arts, English and Languages

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 6

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Engineering (2015)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Regulation Information

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

None

Programme Specific Regulations

Progression: Stage 2 - In order to proceed to Stage 2, students must normally have passed a minimum of 5 Stage 1 modules (100 CATS, taking account of any prerequisites). Stage 3 - In order to proceed to Stage 3, students must normally have passed a minimum of 5 Stage 2 modules (100 CATS, taking account of any prerequisites) and have passed 6 Stage 1 modules (120 CATS).
Award of Degrees - For the award of a BSc degree students must normally have passed at least 16 modules (320 CATS) to include the final year Audio Engineering Project and have achieved a weighted average mark of at least 40%.

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

In accordance with Queen’s University's Mission Statement, the new BSc in Audio Engineering aspires to be a practice-driven programme designed to appeal to engineers wishing to apply core Electrical and Electronic Engineering principles to the development of hardware and software tools for audio applications. The overall aims of the programme are to provide a broad foundation in Audio Engineering, to provide opportunities to study selected themes within the field in greater depth, and to develop a range of practical and transferable skills to prepare graduates for careers in the audio engineering and the broader engineering industries. This is achieved by providing students with a blend of core technical skills and engineering knowledge in addition to practical experience of sound recording and musical interface design. The practice-driven nature of the programme is reflected in the substantial proportion of project-based learning. The laboratory classes and design projects at Stage 1 and 2 are designed to be slightly more prescriptive, whilst the tutorials, collaborative recording assignments, small in-module projects, and individual final year Audio Engineering project at Stage 3 are designed to be more open-ended to encourage innovative thinking and problem-solving skills. Oral presentations and technical reports are a key aspect of all project work, and these aim to ensure that graduates will have strong communication skills. In particular, the programme aims to provide students with:

* The necessary skills, tools and techniques needed to embark on careers as professional Audio Engineers or undertake research and teaching in Audio Engineering

* Knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

* Knowledge and understanding of a range of current and emerging developments in Audio Engineering theory and practice

* A rigorous approach to the design and development of audio software and hardware systems which will remain applicable through changes in technology

* The ability to creatively harness audio technology for the purposes of music recording, music production, instrument and interface design, and sound synthesis

* Advanced critical, analytical and physical skills, as well as creative and imaginative skills

* Advanced critical, analytical and physical skills, as well as creative and imaginative skills

* High levels of professionalism and an awareness of the wider commercial environment in which audio engineers operate

* Strong interpersonal skills, encompassing team-working skills and effective oral, written, presentation and listening skills

* The values, attitudes and competencies needed to undertake CPD and self-directed learning throughout their careers

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

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

Apply engineering principles in the analysis and modelling of engineering processes, components and systems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are developed via in-module design projects at Stage 1 and in-module group projects at Stage 2.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments Written project reports

Analyse, evaluate and interpret experimental data which may be incomplete or uncertain.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are introduced in structured laboratory classes at Stage 1 and 2 and analysis of experimental data is a core component of the individual final year project.

Methods of Assessment

Structured laboratory classes Written project reports

Plan and manage the design of engineering systems/components.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are progressively developed via in-module design projects at Stage 1, in-module group projects at Stage 2 and 3, and the individual final year project.

Methods of Assessment

Unseen written examinations Coursework assignments Written project reports

Apply problem-solving skills, creativity, knowledge and understanding to establish innovative and rigorous solutions to interdisciplinary engineering problems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Innovation is primarily taught through in-module design projects, in-module group projects and particularly through the final year project.

Methods of Assessment

Written project reports Individual project presentation Group project oral presentation

Plan, conduct, present and report a major interdisciplinary engineering project.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills are progressively developed via in-module design projects at Stage 1, in-module group projects at Stage 2 and 3, and the individual final year project.

Methods of Assessment

Written project reports Individual project presentation Group project presentation

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

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

Make effective use of both oral and written skills to communicate their work to technical and non-technical audiences

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Oral and written presentations are embedded in the Stage 1 in-module design projects, in-module group projects at Stages 2 and 3 and the individual final year project. Many individual modules include substantial pieces of written coursework.

Methods of Assessment

Unseen written examinations Structured laboratory classes Coursework assignments Written project reports Individual project presentation Group project presentation

Use a range of Information Technology (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, audio editing/processing software and specialist simulation and mathematical modelling packages).

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills in standard packages developed by practice across most modules. Instruction in specialist packages (e.g. Matlab, Max, Pro Tools) is typically provided for within Stage 1 and 2 modules with further elements supplied within individual final year projects.

Methods of Assessment

Structured laboratory classes Coursework assignments

Demonstrate aptitude for lifelong learning.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students are encouraged to read outside their course notes, attend seminars and concerts, and are specifically expected to carry out literature reviews and state-of-the-art reviews in Stage 3 modules and the final year project.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments Written project reports

Work in a team and understand professional responsibilities and codes of conduct.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students learn to work together in Stage 1 in-module design projects and laboratory classes and in Stage 2 and 3 in-module group projects.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments Written project reports Group project presentation

Demonstrate programming and embedded software skills appropriate to an engineer.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students are taught C/C++ and embedded programming skills in first and second year; these are further developed though Stage 2 and 3 in-module projects and the final year project.

Methods of Assessment

Unseen written examinations Structured laboratory classes Coursework assignments Written project reports

Know and understand a range of project management techniques.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Project management is taught in the Stage 2 and 3 in-module group projects and in the individual final year project.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments Group project presentation Written project reports

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

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

Know and understand the scientific principles underpinning Audio Engineering.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These are primarily taught through lectures and tutorial classes at all Stages.

Methods of Assessment

Unseen written examinations Structured laboratory classes Coursework assignments Written project reports

Understand constraints in engineering design such as: ethics, sustainability, health and safety.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Introduced in the Stage 1 Design Projects and further developed in Stage 2 and 3 in-module group projects and the final year project.

Methods of Assessment

Structured laboratory classes Coursework assignments Written project reports

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

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

Apply practical software, hardware and CAD skills to engineering projects.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Taught in individual modules and combined in project activity.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments Written project reports

Prepare accurate, descriptive and interpretative technical reports.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

All project work includes submission of a technical report.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments Written project reports

Use instrumentation competently and safely.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Primarily taught through structured laboratory classes at Stages 1 and 2 but also covered in lecture course at Stage 1. Health and safety induction compulsory for all students.

Methods of Assessment

Structured laboratory classes

Use technical literature and data sheets appropriately.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Primarily taught through the individual final year project.

Methods of Assessment

Written project report

Apply knowledge of Engineering themes and Audio Practices in advanced interdisciplinary projects.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Taught through the in-module group projects at Stages 2 and 3 and individual final year project

Methods of Assessment

Written project report

Record music and/or speech using appropriate microphone selection / placement and to critically evaluate the microphone technique(s) employed

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Taught throughout the programme in lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical listening labs. Comparative audio examples and peer review of work in progress are used extensively to develop critical listening skills.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments Computer based listening assessments

Operate sound studio hardware and software (mixing consoles, digital audio workstations, outboard processors) to facilitate the editing, mixing and mastering of recorded music and/or speech

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Taught throughout the programme in lectures, tutorials, workshops, practical labs. Small group tutorials, individual personal study in studio facilities, video instruction and peer review of work in progress are used extensively to develop practical audio engineering skills.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments Practical assessments Computer based assessment

Apply practical software, hardware and design skills to the construction of new musical instruments and interfaces

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Taught at Stages 2 and 3 in lectures, labs and workshops. The application of hardware and software skills in creative design is developed gradually through practical labs and problem solving exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments Written project report

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Mathematics 1 ELE1012 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 40% 0% 60%
Embedded Systems ECS1001 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 0% 50% 50%
Audio Mixing I MUS1030 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 70% 30% 0%
Sound Recording and Production 1 MUS1038 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 60% 40% 0%
Microelectronics ELE1055 1 10 YES 12 weeks N YES 40% 10% 50%
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits ECS1006 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 75% 5%
Electronic Systems ECS1007 1 10 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Electronics 2 ELE2018 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 10% 20% 70%
Signals and Communication Systems 2 ELE2020 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 10% 70%
Embedded Systems 2 ELE2025 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 40% 40%
Instrument and Installation Design MUS2034 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Audio Programming MUS2080 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 0% 100% 0%
Sound Recording and Production 2 MUS2038 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Sound Design for Screen MUS2036 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 0% 100% 0%
Gender, Culture, and Representation – Backwards & in Heels AEL2001 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 60% 40% 0%
Adaptation as Interdisciplinary Practice AEL2002 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Sound Recording and Production 3 MUS3038 3 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Auditory Perception MUS3010 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%
Audio Engineering Project MUS3005 3 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 90% 10% 0%
Digital Audio Effects MUS3006 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Immersive Media MUS3007 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Audio Post Production MUS3009 3 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Sonic Arts 2 MUS3003 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%

Notes

Stage 1 Students must take 120 CATS points.

Stage 2 Students must take 120 CATS.

Stage 3 Students must take 120 CATS. Necessary pre requisites: MUS3009 Audio Post Production has a pre-requisite of MUS2036 MUS3038 Sound Recording and Production 3 has a pre-requisite of MUS2038