2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/faa/music-ba/music-technology/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate_index/

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Music, Music Technology concentration

The Concentration in Music Technology focuses on audio production, recording, mixing, electro-acoustic composition techniques, interactive sound synthesis, and digital audio fluency. The Music Technology curricular path gives students the flexibility to choose supporting coursework in sound design, engineering, computer sciences and more.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Music, Music Technology concentration

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.

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 | | fulfilled by MUS 209 and any other course approved as Natural Sciences & Technology | | | | 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 third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-15 |

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 107 | Musicianship I | 2 | | MUS 108 | Musicianship II | 2 | | MUS 201 | Music Theory and Practice III | 2 | | MUS 202 | Music Theory and Practice IV | 2 | | MUS 207 | Musicianship III | 2 | | MUS 208 | Musicianship IV | 2 | | Students in the Music Technology Concentration are required to enroll in MUS 208 section CAL (Critical Audio Listening) | | | | Advanced Music Theory | | 3 | | MUS 400, MUS 404, MUS 407, MUS 408, MUS 409 | | | | 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 | | Advanced Musicology | | 3 | | MUS 410, MUS 411, MUS 412, MUS 413, MUS 414, MUS 415, MUS 416, MUS 418, MUS 421 | | | | Keyboard | | | | All students must demonstrate keyboard competency when they audition, by proficiency examination when they matriculate, or by enrolling in MUS 172 or MUS 173 | | | | MUS 172 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I | 2 | | MUS 173 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II | 2 | | Total Hours | | 35 |

Concentration in Music Technology

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Music Technology Curriculum Required Courses | | 7 | | MUS 209 | Musical Acoustics | 3 | | MUS 407 | Elect Music Techniques I | 3 | | MUS 499 | Proseminar in Music (Senior Proseminar) | 1 | | Music Technology Electives List | | select at least 4 hours from | | MUS 127 | Beatmaking I | 3 | | MUS 327 | Beatmaking II | 3 | | MUS 402 | In-the-Box Recording and Production Techniques | 3 | | MUS 403 | Creative Audio Coding I | 2 | | MUS 405 | Creative Audio Coding II | 2 | | MUS 427 | Digital Content Production | 2 | | MUS 428 | Music Monetization | 2 | | MUS 401 | Out-of-the-Box Recording Studio Techniques | 2 | | MUS 404 | Contemp Compos Techniques | 2 | | MUS 409 | Elec Music Techniques II | 2 | | MUS 460 | Legal Basics in Music | 2 | | MUS 461 | Copyright Law for Musicians | 2 | | Additional courses as approved by the Music Advisor or Director of Undergraduate Studies | | | | Minimum Total Hours | | 11 |

Music Technology Supporting Coursework

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Non-music supporting coursework (7 hours) is required for the concentration in Music Technology and must be approved by the Music Advisor or Director of Undergraduate Studies | | | | Minimum Total Hours | | 7 |

Summary of Credit for the Bachelor of Arts in Music, concentration in Music Technology

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | General Education | | | | Orientation | | 1 | | Music Core | | 35 | | Music Technology | | 11 | | Supporting Coursework | | 7 | | Electives to bring the total hours earned to 120, including a minimum of 40 credits at the 300- or 400-level. | | | | 8 of these hours are fulfilled by MUS 201, MUS 202, MUS 207, and MUS 208 CAL, each of which has at least 2 prerequisites and may count as advanced | | | | A maximum of 8 hours of upper level coursework may be earned through ensembles, MUSC 447 - MUSC 498. | | | | Total Hours | | 120 |

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Music, Music Technology concentration

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.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

Total Hours: 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Music, Music Technology concentration

Bachelor of Arts in 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 communication skills, including artistic self-expression, with diverse audiences through multiple media.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Acquire a basic understanding of technology and professional skills, along with knowledge of specific technological developments within area of specialization.
7. Appreciate how music interacts in communities to enhance and engage social and cultural identities to enrich lifelong learning.

The goals of the Music Technology concentration are:

1. To treat the study of technology and music as equal subject areas, adopting a broad, multi-disciplinary approach to the curriculum.
2. To frame music technology within the larger contexts of historical trends, social transformation and ethical responsibility.
3. To give students a technical understanding of computers and a familiarity with how computers mediate work in different disciplines across the arts and sciences.
4. To transform students from consumers of digital media into informed producers of content.
5. To provide an education relevant to contemporary career paths.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Music, Music Technology concentration