MUC 101. Contemporary Music Theory I. 3 Credits.

Covers music theory as exhibited in contemporary musical styles such as jazz, blues, rock, hip hop, funk, electronic dance music, and folk. Includes notation, pitch, meter, tonality, intervals, chord construction, and harmony. Includes basic music analysis focusing on diatonic harmonies and lead sheet notation as well as written composition. This is the first course in a three-course sequence. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in MUC 120A, MUC 130A, and MUC 140A. Audit available.

MUC 102. Contemporary Music Theory II. 3 Credits.

Covers music theory as exhibited in contemporary musical styles such as jazz, blues, rock, hip hop, funk, electronic dance music, folk, etc. Includes harmonic function, 12-bar blues, non-chord tones, asymmetrical meter, modes, and applied (secondary dominant-functioning) chords. Includes basic music analysis focusing on diatonic and chromatic harmonies, lead sheet notation, and Roman numerals. Includes written composition. This is the second course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 101 or instructor permission. Audit available.

MUC 103. Contemporary Music Theory III. 3 Credits.

Covers music theory as exhibited in contemporary musical styles such as jazz, blues, rock, hip hop, funk, electronic dance music, folk, etc. Includes chromatic chords, chords extensions, the Nashville Number System, and song forms. Includes music analysis focusing on structure, chromatic harmonies and alterations. Includes written composition that stresses craft and execution. This is the third course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 102 or instructor approval. Audit available.

MUC 104. Enclosures I: Tools & Processes. 1 Credit.

Introduces industry tools (laser cutters, CNC mills, 3D printers, saws, and drills) and processes for rapid prototyping of enclosures for digital objects. Provides basic exposure to design principles. Audit available.

MUC 105. Enclosures II: Design & Culture. 1 Credit.

Introduces principles and frameworks for production of enclosures for custom MIDI controllers and interfaces. Explores design of objects that provide a desirable user experience and resonate with history and culture. Prerequisite: MUC 104. Audit available.

MUC 106. Wearable Technologies I: Tools & Processes. 1 Credit.

Introduces principles, processes, and tools for production of wearable technologies. Audit available.

MUC 107. Wearable Technologies II: Design & Culture. 1 Credit.

Introduces concepts and frameworks for production of well-designed wearable technologies. Explores design of objects that provide a desirable user experience, resonate with history and culture, or are perceived to be beautiful or generate appeal. Prerequisite: MUC 106. Audit available.

MUC 115. Sonic Arts Singing Workshop. 1 Credit.

Provides an opportunity to develop and prepare a vocal project for performance. Explores sound creation using voice as an instrument. Presents the material in the format of a master class. Audit available.

MUC 120A. Sight Singing and Ear Training I. 1 Credit.

Introduces the skills needed to sing notation at sight and to identify and notate aural examples. Includes meter, rhythm, intervals, the major scale, solfeggio and simple diatonic melodies. This is the first course in a three-course sequence. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in MUC 101, MUC 130A, and MUC 140A. Audit available.

MUC 120B. Sight Singing and Ear Training II. 1 Credit.

Continues development of skills to sing notation at sight and to identify and notate aural examples. Includes the major and minor scales, solfeggio, triads, and simple diatonic melodies with combined rhythms. This is the second course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 120A or instructor approval. Audit available.

MUC 120C. Sight Singing and Ear Training III. 1 Credit.

Continues development of skills to sing notation at sight and to identify and notate aural examples. Includes solfeggio, seventh chords, chromatic melodies, two-part rhythmic and melodic notation, and chord progressions. This is the third course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 120B or instructor permission. Audit available.

MUC 126. Sound for Picture. 4 Credits.

Covers sound as exhibited in modern film and television productions of all genres. Includes sound design, foley walking, ADR recording, on-set recording, and soundtrack/score recording. Includes mixing, editing, and software skills training. This course is also offered as MM 126; a student who enrolls in this course a second time under either designator will be subject to the course repeat policy. Recommended: MUC 223. Audit available.

MUC 127. Sound for Picture: Sound Design. 4 Credits.

Includes post-production dialog clean up, automated dialog replacement (ADR), foley, sound effects cues, environmental sounds, action cues, and score services. Covers advanced digital audio recording (DAW), editing, and mixing techniques on various industry standard DAW software workstations. Prerequisite: MM 126 or MUC 126. Audit available.

MUC 130A. Rhythm Training I. 1 Credit.

Covers basic rhythmic theory, notation, and reading skills as well as rhythmic characteristics of different styles and genres. Includes simple and compound meter, dotted notes, basic usage of tuplets, swing rhythm, basic time signatures, and sight reading skills. This is the first course in a three-course sequence. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in MUC 101, MUC 120A, and MUC 140A. Audit available.

MUC 130B. Rhythm Training II. 1 Credit.

Covers intermediate-level rhythmic theory, notation, and reading skills as well as specific rhythmic characteristics of different styles and genres from around the world. Includes odd meter, dotted notes, intermediate-level use of tuplets, regular and irregular metric phrasing, and sight reading skills. This is the second course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 130A or instructor permission. Audit available.

MUC 130C. Rhythm Training III. 1 Credit.

Covers advanced-level rhythmic theory, notation, and reading skills as well as rhythmic theory from around the world. Includes the history of clave rhythm, polyrhythm, and polymeter, advanced-level usage of tuplets, advanced-level time signatures, and improved sight reading skills. This is the third course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 130B or instructor permission. Audit available.

MUC 140A. Group Piano I. 2 Credits.

Introduces basic piano technique with correct observance of pitch, clef, meter, phrasing, and interpretation in a contemporary style. This is the first course in a three-course sequence. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in MUC 101, MUC 120A, and MUC 130A. Audit available.

MUC 140B. Group Piano II. 2 Credits.

Covers beginner to intermediate instruction for piano. Develops practice skills, sight-reading, and technical form. Covers music fundamentals, harmony, notation, improvisation, and stylistic nuances. This is the second course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 140A or instructor permission. Audit available.

MUC 140C. Group Piano III. 2 Credits.

Develops piano proficiency skills and focuses on technique, phrasing and cadences, sight-reading and performance, harmonization, accompanying, and transposition. This is the third course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 140B or instructor permission. Audit available.

MUC 144. Contemporary Singing I. 2 Credits.

Explores sound creation using your voice as your instrument. Emphasizes vocal production techniques through a variety of musical styles. Introduces the process of song preparation for solo and ensemble. Incorporates current artists and industry styles. Includes rehearsals and performances. Audit available.

MUC 144B. Contemporary Singing II. 2 Credits.

Continues exploration of sound creation using your voice as your instrument. Emphasizes intermediate vocal production techniques through a variety of musical styles. Covers developing skills in song preparation and improving stage presence. Incorporates current artists and industry styles. Includes rehearsals and performances. Recommended: MUC 144. Audit available.

MUC 144C. Contemporary Singing III. 2 Credits.

Covers skills for development of vocal artistry. Includes building a set list/repertoire, marketing oneself as a vocalist, and communicating and collaborating with other instrumentalists and vocalists. Incorporates current artists and industry styles. Includes rehearsals, performances, and a portfolio presentation. Recommended: MUC 144 and MUC 144B. Audit available.

MUC 154A. Band Performance Workshop. 2 Credits.

Involves selection, rehearsals, and performance in a variety of musical styles, vocal and instrumental. Includes popular, jazz, and R&B. Develops rehearsal and presentation skills. Audit available.

MUC 154B. Band Performance Workshop. 2 Credits.

Involves selection, rehearsals, and performance in a variety of musical styles, vocal and instrumental. Includes popular, jazz, and R&B. Further develops rehearsal and presentation skills. Students are involved with setup and flow of performance. Audit available.

MUC 154C. Band Performance Workshop III. 2 Credits.

Involves selection, rehearsals, and performance in a variety of musical styles, vocal and instrumental. Includes popular, jazz, and R&B. Develops rehearsal and presentation skills. Students are allowed to "front" band and submit original material. Audit available.

MUC 166. Songwriting and Music Publishing. 2 Credits.

Covers the basic forms of popular music songwriting. Includes the opportunity to create songs, individually and in collaboration with others. Includes the business aspects of music publishing and how they affect the songwriter. May be taken three times for credit. Audit available.

MUC 170A. Intro to Ableton I: Art of Beat Making. 1 Credit.

Introduces the art of beat-making, drum programming, and sequencing with Ableton Live and MIDI hardware. Audit available.

MUC 170B. Intro to Ableton II: Analyze, Deconstruct, Rebuild. 1 Credit.

Continues delving into the art of beat-making with complex, nuanced drum programming, compelling bass lines, and sophisticated melodies. Prerequisite: MUC 170A. Audit Available.

MUC 170C. Intro to Ableton III: Record, Produce, Perform. 1 Credit.

Covers sample-based instruments as well as production and performance of full tracks. Includes found sounds, loops, and modular gear. Prerequisite: MUC 170B. Audit available.

MUC 181. Music as a Career. 3 Credits.

Introduces a broad overview of the music industry. Includes identification of key professionals, organizations, and agencies; how to develop an artist's brand; and how to market and protect oneself as an artist in the music industry. Audit available.

MUC 182. Introduction to Pro Tools. 1 Credit.

Introduces the Avid Pro Tools digital audio workstation (DAW). Covers fundamentals of navigating and effectively utilizing the software to record, edit, and mix audio. Audit available.

MUC 185. Introduction to Logic Pro. 1 Credit.

Introduces the Logic Pro digital audio workstation (DAW). Covers fundamentals of navigating and effectively utilizing the software to record, edit, and mix audio as well as explore the basics of MIDI production in Logic Pro. Audit available.

MUC 200A. Composition I: Principles and Techniques. 3 Credits.

Introduces music composition and arranging with a focus on 20th and 21st century compositional techniques and materials. Includes composition of chamber and concert works with the goal of compiling a portfolio of original works. This is the first course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisites: MUC 103, MUS 113, or instructor approval. Audit available.

MUC 200B. Composition II: Electronic Music Composition. 3 Credits.

Covers sonic and compositional aspects of music technology. Includes the study of electronic music in the classical and popular music realms, and composition projects with the goal of creating a portfolio of original works. This is the second course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 200A. Audit available.

MUC 200C. Composition III: Multimedia & Multichannel Channel Comp. 3 Credits.

Covers advanced electronic music composition. Includes intermediate to advanced applications in sequencing and scoring software, recording techniques as applied to film and multimedia, multichannel composition, 3D audio, and the development of a portfolio of original works. This is the third course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 200B. Audit available.

MUC 201. Analog Modular Synthesis. 3 Credits.

Introduces theories and techniques for electronic music creation with analog and modular synthesizers. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement or instructor permission. Audit available.

MUC 202A. Ensemble I: Intro to Ensemble. 2 Credits.

Involves selection, rehearsals, and performances of twentieth and twenty-first century repertoire. Includes important works of the last century from a performance perspective and a deeper understanding of current trends in contemporary music. Develops skills in improvisation, analysis and interpretation, and communication skills between members. Open to performers of any instrument or voice type. Audit available.

MUC 202B. Ensemble II: Jazz Ensemble. 2 Credits.

Introduces a solid grounding in the style, performance, and theory of jazz in the 20th century. Covers a variety of jazz styles including but not limited to Latin, blues, ballads, rock and roll, and intersections with classical music traditions. Covers improvisation and techniques for performing in both small and large group settings. Audit available.

MUC 202C. Ensemble III: Multimedia Ensemble. 2 Credits.

Creates an experience of a progressive, flexible multimedia ensemble beyond the boundaries of a traditional ensemble class. Incorporates elements of other genres of artistic expression: dance, visual art, poetry, MIDI, and video. Involves collaborations with student composers for the purpose of premiering new works. Audit available.

MUC 203. Sonic Arts Capstone. 2 Credits.

Combines the skills gained in courses of the Music & Sonic Arts curriculum in order to produce a single project. Culminates in a unique music, audio, audio-visual or intermedia project and will include project proposal, original design of project, and presentation, performance, or delivery of materials. Prerequisite: MUC 200B or instructor permission. Audit available.

MUC 206. Body Interface Design. 4 Credits.

Covers common body interfaces across sectors and how to design device prototypes for them. Introduces principles of body interface design for artistic and expressive output. Reviews the future of body interfaces, with emphasis on contemporary research. Prerequisite: MUC 275. Audit available.

MUC 210. Contemporary Music Theory IV: Analysis. 3 Credits.

Introduces analysis and its role in representing a deeper level understanding of harmonic motion and goals, performance decisions, small- and large-scale forms, processes, text/music relationships, and narratives. Includes two-voice counterpoint in contemporary modal and tonal languages as a means of understanding linear structure. Prerequisites: MUC 103 or MUS 113 or instructor permission. Audit available.

MUC 218. Digital Arts & Equity. 4 Credits.

Covers the profound social, cultural, and economic influence of digital art creations, with particular attention to social justice and equity for people who have historically been oppressed. Recommended: Enrollment in a digital arts or related program: Music & Sonic Arts; Multimedia; or Creative Coding & Immersive Technologies. Audit available.

MUC 219. Sonic Constructions of Identity. 4 Credits.

Examines the historical and present role of sound in the social construction of identity, with an emphasis on constructs of race, gender and class. Encourages development of a socially conscious practice of listening. Audit available.

MUC 223. Recording Technology I: Analog Fundamentals. 3 Credits.

Covers fundamental skills in audio engineering. Includes theory and practical application of current recording technology, with a focus on analog workflows. Introduces fundamental acoustics, microphone placement, multi-track recording, mix-down, and signal processing. Focuses on recording acoustic and electro-acoustic ensembles. This is the first course in a three-course sequence. Audit available.

MUC 224. Recording Technology II: Signal Processing & Tracking. 3 Credits.

Expands on the skills learned and practiced in MUC 223. Covers fundamentals of audio signal processing, stereo microphone techniques, tracking methodologies, and recording to magnetic tape recorders. Includes one completed recording. This is the second course in a three-course series. Prerequisite: MUC 223. Audit available.

MUC 225. Recording Technology III: Running a Studio. 3 Credits.

Presents specialized skills used in audio engineering and recording studio management. Explores running a mock business and running a recording studio within both management and engineering roles. Includes working on a digital audio recording and an experience with a hybrid digital/analog recording desk. Provides an opportunity to engineer and manage two recordings of peers' music. This is the third course in a three-course series. Prerequisite: MUC 224. Audit available.

MUC 233. Math in the Arts. 4 Credits.

Covers mathematical concepts as they are used in visual, sonic, generative, interactive, and computational arts. Audit available.

MUC 236. Studio Recording Technology IV. 3 Credits.

Covers intermediate to advanced skills in audio engineering including a mixture of theory and practical application of current recording technology. Focuses on technology as a tool for creativity. Includes digital audio, mixing on DAWs, signal routing, time correction, troubleshooting, session organizing and professional skills. This is the fourth course in a six-course sequence. Prerequisites: MUC 225. Audit available.

MUC 237. Studio Recording Technology V. 3 Credits.

Covers intermediate to advanced skills in audio engineering including a mixture of theory and practical application of current recording technology. Focuses on technology as a tool for creativity. Includes digital audio, DAW anatomy, signal routing, DAW tracking, critical listening, and pitch correction. This is the fifth course in a six-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 236. Audit available.

MUC 238. Studio Recording Technology VI. 3 Credits.

Covers advanced skills in audio engineering including a mixture of theory and practical application of current recording technology. Incorporates technology as an artistic tool to overcome creative barriers. Includes session management, critical listening, mixing, professional skills, and projects. This is the sixth course in a six-course sequence. Prerequisite: MUC 237. Audit available.

MUC 240. Interactive Portfolio Studio. 4 Credits.

Covers the creation and deployment of an interactive portfolio as a web application. Explores available web frameworks, personal project documentation, making a database of creative work, linking content with APIs, using a virtual private server, identifying necessary services or software, planning for maintainability and using effective design strategies. Prerequisite: MUC 282. Audit available.

MUC 250. AI & Machine Learning in the Arts I. 4 Credits.

Covers theories and frameworks related to computational or artificial creativity and approaches to endowing machines with creative behaviors. Involves examination of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in connection with a comprehensive range of arts and creative enterprises such as musical composition and interpretation, sound design, video game creation, drawing, painting, image generation, writing, storytelling, poetry, and design-related tasks. Recommended: MUC 272. Audit available.

MUC 251. Natural Language Processing. 4 Credits.

Explores foundations of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and text processing in connection with human-machine interaction, human-machine collaboration, and computational poetics. Covers history of computers listening and speaking, coded bias, and appropriation of NLP tools by artists, designers and poets. Prerequisite: MUC 282. Audit available.

MUC 252. Computer Vision. 4 Credits.

Introduces motivations, applications and techniques in Computer Vision and Digital Signal Processing. Explores the history of Computer Vision, evolving social implications, and appropriations of Computer Vision and “seeing machines” by artists, designers, and creatives. Prerequisites: MUC 282. Audit available.

MUC 261. Data Visualization & Sonification. 4 Credits.

Introduces representation of data in visual and sonic forms. Surveys data visualization techniques, from charts in spreadsheet software to interactive, abstract, and experimental new media. Examines the role of sound as a means of processing and representing information. Provides hands-on experience using modern tools and techniques to manipulate and process data sets into audiovisual representations. Audit available.

MUC 262. Interface Design. 4 Credits.

Introduces theories and methods for design of user interfaces for functional, expressive, and artistic ends. Explores established and novel strategies for a positive user experience. Includes development of one or more user interfaces. Audit available.

MUC 263. Experience Design with TouchDesigner. 4 Credits.

Surveys the visual development platform TouchDesigner with emphasis on the interoperability of industry standard software used for projection mapping, VR, interactive media, performance and lighting. Recommended: MUC 282, MUC 277, MUC 271. Audit available.

MUC 270. Audio Programming I: Introduction to Max/MSP. 4 Credits.

Introduces visual programming language Max/MSP and the practice of creative coding for music and sound design. Recommended: basic familiarity with computers and digital audio workstations. Audit available.

MUC 271. Audio Programming II: Intermediate Max/MSP. 4 Credits.

Provides intermediate experience with the visual programming language Max/MSP and the practice of creative coding for music and sound design. Prerequisite: MUC 270.

MUC 272. Creative Coding I. 4 Credits.

Introduces industry-standard computer programming languages for creative purposes, such as immersive experiences and installations, generative graphics and sound, and interactive applications and environments. Prerequisite: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.

MUC 273. Programming Interactive Video. 4 Credits.

Introduces live video processing, analysis, and programming. Uses Jitter and other tools to generate and process live interactive video experiences.

MUC 274. Microcontrollers for Artists. 4 Credits.

Introduces a variety of sensor and motion-tracking technologies and their application in the arts. Includes the design of new physical user interfaces for musicians, dancers, public spaces, galleries and commercial installations. Audit available.

MUC 275. Creative Coding Capstone. 4 Credits.

Combines the skills gained in all five specialization courses in the creative coding curriculum in order to produce a single project. Culminates in a unique, large scale audio/visual project which takes the form of an audio/visual/musical instrument, product prototype, new media event or installation/experience and will include original design and programming of all project elements. Prerequisites: MUC 270, MUC 271, MUC 272, MUC 273 and MUC 274, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.

MUC 277. Microcontrollers II. 4 Credits.

Provides intermediate-level experience with electronics, sensor hardware, and programming microcontrollers for applications in the arts and creative industries. Introduces user interface design concepts and physical fabrication techniques for artistic and commercial purposes. Prerequisite: MUC 274. Audit available.

MUC 278. Generative Art on the Web. 4 Credits.

Covers the foundational skills in web development (JavaScript, HTML, and CSS), through the use of high-level (easy-to-use) libraries for creating, ripping, mashing, and deploying interactive art on the internet. Audit available.

MUC 280A. Cooperative Education: Vocational Music. 1-3 Credit.

Develops individual music performance, writing or recording skills in a department approved work setting. Department permission required. Corequisite: MUS 280B. Audit available.

MUC 282. Creative Coding II. 4 Credits.

Provides intermediate-level computer programming for creative purposes, such as immersive experiences and installations, generative graphics and sound, and interactive applications and environments. Prerequisite: MUC 272. Audit available.

MUC 285. Game Audio: Design. 4 Credits.

Introduces sound design for use in video game projects and adjacent interactive experiences. Includes the creation process and the theory behind sound effects for historically important game experiences. Covers techniques for creating sounds in various styles ranging from Hyper-Realism to Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Recommended: knowledge of a DAW, basic audio recording and production. Audit available.

MUC 286. Game Audio: Music. 4 Credits.

Introduces creative and technical skills required to compose music for video games and adjacent interactive experiences. Introduces fundamentals in compositional theory as it pertains to games as well as technical requirements to produce music that behaves effectively during game runtime. Covers the theory of interactivity in music, how it affects the gameplay experience, and how to leverage those techniques while composing their music. Includes video game music throughout the history of game development. Recommended: knowledge of a DAW, basic audio recording and production. Audit available.

MUC 287. Game Audio: Implementation. 4 Credits.

Introduces the game audio implementation pipeline and the role of the Technical Sound Designer. Covers how sound for games is taken from asset production in a Digital Audio Workspace (DAW) to implementation into a game to prepare for shipping. Includes fundamental techniques in the sound tools in both engines as well as the audio middleware tools such as FMOD and Wwise. Introduces basic scripting in C# for Unity and Blueprint for Unreal in order to realize implementation goals. Recommended: knowledge of a DAW, basic audio recording and production. Audit available.