Programme Specification for Music Technology BSc (Hons)
|
Final award |
BSc (Hons) |
|
Intermediate awards available |
Cert HE, Dip HE |
|
UCAS code |
- |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Computing Music |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
April 2011 |
Profile
The summary - UCAS programme profile
BANNER BOX:
Engineer Computer Based Music Production
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- 240 UCAS tariff points or equivalent
- relevant Access programme
A range of international qualifications are also accepted as is an appropriate level of work experience. Applicants from mature students are welcomed. All applicants should have or be expected to gain, prior to entering the programme, GCSE grade 'C' or above English and Maths - or equivalent. International applicants should have or expect to gain IELTS 6.0 (Reading and Writing 6.0; Listening and Speaking 5.5) or equivalent.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
What is BSc Music Technology?
Music Technology at UEL is a practical programme with two main aims:
- Provide students with the basis to develop and use complex music technologies for home computer based music production.
- Produce people with the necessary skills to work as graduate audio engineers within TV, Video, CD and games audio production.
Other programmes at UEL that may be of interest:
- BA (hons) Music Culture: Theory and Production programme, UCAS code WJ39
- BSc (hons) Computer Games Technology
BSc Music Technology at UEL
This programme offers you the chance to:
- develop and improve your skills in computer based music production
- learn how to manage and market your own music production
- use both MAC based and PC based technologies
- get a job as a graduate audio engineer within a media based industry
Programme structure
There are six main themes developed through the three years of the programme:
- Computer based Music Production
- Audio Engineering
- Project Management and Academic skills
- Business skills,
- Multimedia skills
- Cultural aspects of music production.
There is also an option of a 1 year placement within industry between the second and third years of the programme.
Learning environment
This programme utilises a mix of learning techniques that focus on and maximise the student learning experience through student based learning activities in:
- Practical based computer laboratory work,
- Seminars and tutorials,
- Group workshops,
These learning activities are backed up by a web-based learning systems in which you can catch up on activities that you found difficult. The traditional lecture approach is also used on some modules where it is appropriate for the content of that module.
Assessment
To reflect the practical orientation of this programme, the majority of modules are assessed through computer laboratory based music coursework, rather than through formal written examinations. The programme is a semesterised programme with two semesters per year and three modules taken and assessed in each semester. In general each module will have at most two pieces of assessment with the second piece of assessment at the end of the semester. There are few formal examinations
Work experience/placement opportunities
An optional placement of one year in industry is available as an option on this programme. This would take place at the end of the second year level 2 modules and prior to the start of the third year level 3 modules of the programme.
Project work
There are a number of opportunities for project work within all three years of the programme in:
- Project management modules
- Practical computer based music production modules
There is also a double length final year individual project where you can
- Put the skills that you learnt on the whole programme together
- focus and develop the aspects of the programme that you found most interesting
- develop a practical piece of music production
Added value
You will learn key themes that will be useful to you in other aspects of life or education:
- project and people management skills
- business skills
- thinking skills
- technical skills in learning the use of differing packages
IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?
If you are interested in...
- Computer based music production on both MAC and PC
- Business aspects of music production
- Audio engineering
If you enjoy...
- Practical work
- Using computers to generate music
- Plugging kit together to form music systems
- Working both on your own and with others
If you want...
- A programme that covers not only allows you to explore advanced music technology but also gives you the associated business and project management skills to enhance your music production skills
Your future career
You can become a Graduate Audio engineer within the media industry, utilise your music production and management skills for your own use, or graduate to a higher level masters degree programme.
How we support you
We pride ourselves on our Personal Development Plan for students. You are assigned a personal tutor who you can see for advice if you have general problems. There are also module tutors who can advise you if you have problems with coursework and a programme leader who you can turn to for advice on how you can get the best out of Music Technology programme. In addition you will be assigned a personal project tutor to guide you through the development of your final year individual project.
Bonus factors
-
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- Produce computer based digital music for a variety of formats/media.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the operating principles, features and limitations of modern audio technology components.
- Develop a practical experience of working in and managing small development projects.
- Understand organisational and marketing aspects of music production.
What will you learn?
Knowledge and understanding
- Tools, techniques and technologies used in the computer production of music.
- Features and limitations of amplifiers, filtering, mixing, recording and other related audio components
- Music related production and recording
- Project management techniques
- Factors involved in production and marketing
'Thinking' skills
- Develop a critical approach to the computer production of music
- Predict performance of audio system
- Reflect on and produce development plans
- Analyse and evaluate marketing and production solutions within media industries
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Produce pieces of music using computer based digital techniques
- Produce music backing for a variety of media
- Develop strategies for marketing and distribution of music product
Skills for life and work
- Develop team leading and teamwork skills
- Develop written and presentation skills
- Plan and manage a music development project
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 360 credits.
Typical duration
The expected duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode or 5 years in part-time mode. It is possible to move from a full-time mode of study to a part-time mode of study and vice-versa, to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year begins in September and ends in June. A student, normally registering for 6 modules in one year (3 modules in each Semester) would do so in a full-time attendance mode of study and a student registering for up to 4 modules in one year (2 modules in each Semester) would do so in part-time attendance mode of study.
What you will study when
This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A student registered in a full-time attendance mode will take six 20 credit modules per year. An honours degree student will complete six modules at level one, six at level 2 and six at level 3.
It is possible to bring together modules from one field with modules from another to produce a combined programme. Subjects are offered in a variety of combinations:
Single 120 credits at levels one, two and three with minimum of 40 credits drawn from university wide option
Major 80 credits at levels one, two and three with a minimum of 20 credits drawn from university wide option
Joint 60 credits at levels one, two and three with a minimum of 20 credits drawn from university wide option
Minor 40 credits at levels one, two and three.
Modules are defined as:
Core Must be taken
Option Select from a range of identified module within the field
University Wide Option Select from a wide range of university wide options
The following are the core and optional requirements for the single, major, joint and minor routes for this programme. If you wish to undertake a Joint route then you must either take the complete set of skills* modules or select all of your skills modules from your other ‘joint’ route.
-
| LEVEL | TITLE | SKILLS MODULES (Insert Y where appropriate) | CREDITS | STATUS SINGLE | STATUS MAJOR | STATUS JOINT | STATUS MINOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
IM1202: Project Management & Skills |
Y |
20 |
Core |
Core |
Option* |
- |
|
1 |
EE1401: Acoustic and Music Theory |
20 |
Core |
Core |
Core |
- |
|
|
1 |
PA1304: Sound Design I |
20 |
Core |
Core |
Option |
- |
|
|
1 |
IM1201: Computer Music production I |
20 |
Core |
Core |
Core |
- |
|
|
1 |
SM1010: Marketing Principles & Practice |
20 |
Core |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
1 |
CN1022: Fundamentals and Contexts |
20 |
Core |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
2 |
IM2073: Project Management II |
Y |
40 |
Core |
Core |
Option* |
- |
|
2 |
EE2401: Audio Technology |
20 |
Core |
Core |
Core |
- |
|
|
2 |
PA2304: Sound Design II |
20 |
Core |
Core |
Option |
- |
|
|
2 |
IM2201: Computer Music production II |
20 |
Core |
Core |
Core |
- |
|
|
2 |
SM2021: SME Marketing |
20 |
Core |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
2 |
IM2030: Video and Sound Techniques |
20 |
Core |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
* |
Optional Placement year between the level 2 and level 3 modules. |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
3 |
IM3023: Workshop in Research Skills and Project Implementation |
Y |
20 |
Core |
Core |
Option* |
- |
|
3 |
EE3401: Music Engineering |
20 |
Core |
Core |
Option |
- |
|
|
3 |
PA3304: Sound Design 3 |
20 |
Core |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
3 |
HR3019: Global Music |
20 |
Core |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
3 |
IM3201: Double Project |
40 |
Core |
Core |
Core |
- |
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher
In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher
In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher
In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher
In order to gain an Associate Certificate you will need to obtain a minimum if 20 credits at level one or higher
In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:
A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
(A Foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree)
Degree Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Honours degree, and has gained a minimum of 240 UEL credits at level 2 or level 3 on the programme, including a minimum of 120 UEL credits at level 3, the award classification is determined by calculating:
|
The arithmetic mean of the best 100 credits at level 3 |
× |
2/3 |
+ |
The arithmetic mean of the next best 100 credits at levels 2 and/or 3 |
× |
1/3 |
and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
First Class Honours |
|
60% - 69% |
Second Class Honours, First Division |
|
50% - 59% |
Second Class Honours, Second Division |
|
40% - 49% |
Third Class Honours |
|
0% - 39% |
Not passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Knowledge and understanding is developed through
- Practical production of music in computer based laboratory and project work
- Identification and evaluation of audio components within practical work
- Project management workshops
- Lecture, seminar, and tutorial activities based upon taught theoretical issues.
'Thinking' skills are developed through
- Evaluation of computer based music.
- Identification and evaluation of audio components within practical sessions.
- Identification and use of evaluation criteria within Project management workshops.
- Production of development plans.
- Case studies of marketing and music distribution systems.
Practical skills are developed through
- Production of music products and backing pieces for media
- Double length project module
- Team based project management sessions
- Practical examples of marketing and music distribution
General skills are developed through
- Team work and project work sessions
- Personal Development Plans
- Written evaluation of practical work
Assessment
Knowledge and understanding is assessed by
- Pieces of music that you have developed by the use of computer based music tools
- Lab Reports on practical work
- Project Management reports
- Exam and test based activities for some modules
'Thinking' skills are assessed by
- Reports on music production
- Lab reports on practical work
- Project management reports
- Critical evaluation within exam and test based activities
- Critiques of methods, tools and techniques
Practical skills are assessed by
- Pieces of music that you have developed by the use of computer based music tools
- Lab Reports on practical work
- Project Management reports
General skills are assessed by
- Critical evaluation within exam and test based activities
- Critiques of methods, tools and techniques
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before this programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme;
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students.
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments;
- Attending assessment boards;
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
- Ensuring that regulations are followed;
- Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations
- Student representation on programme committees (meeting 6 times year)
- Student/Staff consultative committee (meeting 3 times a year
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- a newsletter published three times a year
- providing details on the programme noticeboard
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- Annual student satisfaction questionnaire
- Questionnaires to former students
- Industrial liaison committee
- Placements Officer
Further Information
Alternative locations for studying this programme
|
Location |
Which elements? |
Taught by UEL staff |
Taught by local staff |
Method of Delivery |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)
- The programme handbook
- Module study guides
- UEL Manual of General Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- UEL Guide to Undergraduate Programmes
- School of Computing, Information Technology and Engineering website http://www.uel.ac.uk/cite
