2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/faa/musicology-bmus/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Musicology

This major offers a broad cultural education that unites academic and musical training. It also provides preparation for the graduate study required for research and teaching in musicology or ethnomusicology.

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Musicology

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Students who wish to study voice or an instrument for credit are required to satisfy the instrumental or vocal qualifying audition designed for students outside the School of Music.

Credits earned in applied music lessons are generally considered elective.

A minimum of twelve hours of 400-level courses in Music must be taken on the Urbana-Champaign campus.

The fourth-year student, working with an adviser, must complete a satisfactory thesis as part of the requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Musicology.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by MUS 313 and MUS 314 | | | | Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 | | Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-20 |

Orientation Requirements

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | FAA 101 | Arts at Illinois | 1 | | MUS 100 | First-year Seminar for Music Majors | 0 | | Total Hours | | 1 |

Music Core

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Music Theory and Musicianship | | | | MUS 101 | Music Theory and Practice I | 2 | | MUS 102 | Music Theory and Practice II | 2 | | MUS 201 | Music Theory and Practice III | 2 | | MUS 202 | Music Theory and Practice IV | 2 | | MUS 107 | Musicianship I | 2 | | MUS 108 | Musicianship II | 2 | | MUS 207 | Musicianship III | 2 | | MUS 208 | Musicianship IV | 2 | | Musicology | | | | MUS 110 | Introd Art Mus: Intl Perspect | 3 | | MUS 313 | The History of Music I | 3 | | MUS 314 | The History of Music II | 3 | | Keyboard Proficiency | | | | All students, except keyboard students, must demonstrate keyboard competency when they audition, by proficiency examination when they matriculate, or by enrolling in MUS 172 and/or MUS 173. | | | | MUS 172 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I | 2 | | MUS 173 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II | 2 |

Musicology Studies

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Music Lessons | | 16 | | Students enroll in applied music on the same instrument or in voice each semester. It is strongly recommended that students in this major acquire a thorough practical knowledge of the piano beyond basic keyboard competency as part of the applied music study. | | | | Applied Music Lessons (years 1 & 2, 8 hours). Students choose from: | | | | MUSC 101, MUSC 102, MUSC 103, MUSC 110, MUSC 111, MUSC 112, MUSC 113, MUSC 114, MUSC 115, MUSC 116, MUSC 117, MUSC 120, MUSC 121, MUSC 122, MUSC 123, MUSC 124, MUSC 125, MUSC 126, MUSC 127, MUSC 128, MUSC 129, MUSC 130, MUSC 131, MUSC 132, MUSC 133, MUSC 134, MUSC 135, MUSC 136, MUSC 137, MUSC 138, MUSC 139, MUSC 140, MUSC 141, MUSC 142 | | | | Applied Music Lessons (years 3 & 4, 8 hours). Students choose from: | | | | MUSC 401, MUSC 402, MUSC 403, MUSC 410, MUSC 411, MUSC 412, MUSC 413, MUSC 414, MUSC 415, MUSC 416, MUSC 417, MUSC 420, MUSC 421, MUSC 422, MUSC 423, MUSC 424, MUSC 425, MUSC 426, MUSC 427, MUSC 428, MUSC 429, MUSC 430, MUSC 431, MUSC 432, MUSC 433, MUSC 434, MUSC 435, MUSC 436, MUSC 437, MUSC 438, MUSC 439, MUSC 440, MUSC 441, MUSC 442 | | | | Ensemble | | 8 | | Students choose from: | | | | MUSC 449, MUSC 460, MUSC 461, MUSC 462, MUSC 463, MUSC 464, MUSC 465, MUSC 467, MUSC 469, MUSC 473, MUSC 475, MUSC 476, MUSC 480, MUSC 481, MUSC 482, MUSC 483 | | | | MUS 242 | Elements of Conducting | 2 | | MUS 299 | Thesis/Adv UG Honors in Music | 1 or 2 | | MUS 419 | Sr Seminar in Musicology | 3 | | Advanced Musicology (MUS 400-level courses) | | 12 | | Advanced Music Theory (MUS 400-level courses) | | 6 | | Foreign Language | | 0-4 | | Students must complete the equivalent of a fourth-semester college-level foreign language course or demonstrate fourth-semester proficiency for graduation. | | | | Four courses in relevant discipline outside of Music. | | 12-16 | | Chosen in consultation with the BMUS Musicology advisor. These courses may not be used to satisfy General Education requirements. | | | | Electives as needed to total 120 hours | | | | Total Hours | | 120 |

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Musicology

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.This sample curriculum plan makes the assumption that students will have demonstrated keyboard competency by proficiency examination when they matriculate or they will need to enroll in MUS 172 and/or MUS 173.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. This sample curriculum plan makes the assumption that the foreign language graduation requirement has been satisfied by completing four years of study of a single foreign language in high school.  For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

Total Hours: 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Musicology

Bachelor of Music graduates will:

1. Understand, apply, and integrate foundational concepts of musical study in theory, aural skills, history, composition, improvisation, and keyboard competency, and do so independently and cooperatively.
2. Demonstrate the ability to learn independently, make inquiries, think critically, discover solutions, and integrate knowledge across both similar and varied areas of musical study.
3. Develop and demonstrate effective performance skills (technical and expressive) using critical thinking to inform historical and stylistic performance practices and artistic expression.
4. Develop and demonstrate effective communication skills, including artistic self-expression, with diverse audiences through multiple media.
5. Acquire a basic understanding of diverse musical systems and traditions across the world, and develop a sensitivity to and awareness of cultural and societal differences, and their contribution to an interdependent global consciousness.
6. Acquire an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility as musicians and citizens, and demonstrate the ability to work professionally and effectively as leaders and collaborators.
7. Acquire a basic understanding of technology and professional skills, along with knowledge of specific technological developments within area of specialization.
8. Appreciate how music interacts with communities to enhance and engage social and cultural identities and enrich lifelong learning.

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Musicology

School of Music

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College of Fine & Applied Arts

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Admissions

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