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Program

Music - 3436

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: sam@unsw.edu.au

Campus: Sydney

Career: Undergraduate

Typical Duration: 4 Years

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 192

UAC Code: 422500

Domestic Entry Cut-off: N/A  

International Entry Requirements: See International Entry Requirements

Award(s):

Bachelor of Music (Major)

View program information for previous years

Program Description
The Bachelor of Music (BMus) is a four-year, full-time degree that offers intensive pre-professional training in one of four Streams: Music Creative Practice, Music Inquiry, Sonic Arts, and Music Pedagogy. The first 1.5 years are common to all Streams. All BMus candidates receive individual performance tuition (or composition tuition on approval) for the first two years of the program. Music Pedagogy candidates receive additional individual performance tuition in year three of the program and Music Creative Practice candidates receive additional individual performance tuition (or composition tuition) in years three and four of the program.

Music Creative Practice students may specialise in performance or composition in a self-selected musical style or tradition, including Jazz or World Music on approval. Music Inquiry provides a highly academic focus on studies in Historical Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Music Analysis or the Psychology of Music. Sonic Arts develops technical and creative skills in Electro-Acoustic music and Sound Design and provides links with Media Studies at UNSW. Music Pedagogy provides a course of study in studio teaching with an emphasis on practical application and preparation for further study in music education. All Streams include extensive training in developing musicianship skills and ensemble performance, which is supported by a variety of large and small, Western and Non-Western Music ensembles.

The BMus can be completed full-time in single mode (normally four years) and in Dual mode (the equivalent of three years full-time) or part-time. High-achieving students with a minimum WAM of 70 may, at the completion of all requirements for levels 1-3 apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Music (Honours) 3440. Further information about the Bachelor of Music (Honours) program will be made available in the 2015 Handbook.

The BMus has a depth component and a breadth component. Students enrolled in single mode do both the depth and breadth component while students enrolled in Dual mode only complete the depth component. Dual mode enables students to complete a degree in music and another degree.

The Depth (Blue Zone) component is:

  1. The completion of core courses (114 UOC - 19 courses)
  2. The completion of a stream including the Gateway course (6 UOC) and two Stream courses (12 UOC - 2 courses)
  3. The completion of two Prescribed Music Electives (12 UOC - 2 courses)
The Breadth (Green Zone) component is:
  1. Prescribed Faculty Electives (12 UOC - 2 courses)
  2. Free Electives (24 UOC - 4 courses)
  3. General Education (12 UOC- 2 courses)
Note: Single mode students intending to transfer to the Honours program must complete all Green Zone, level 1-3 core courses and Stream course requirements before proceeding to level 4. A minimum WAM of 70 is required for entry to the Honours program.

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
The BMus enables students to develop skills and knowledge in music as preparation for professional work in areas as diverse as music performance, arranging and composition, studio teaching, research, broadcasting and recording, arts administration, music and arts journalism, and music technology and sound design.

The Graduate Attributes for this Program are as follows:

  1. The skills involved in scholarly enquiry, such as information literacy, critical analysis, and writing
  2. An in-depth engagement with discipline-specific knowledge, such as instrumental or vocal performance, composition, score reading and writing skills, inner hearing, music theory, and repertoire knowledge
  3. Engagement with music in its interdisciplinary context through the study of music history, music ethnography/anthropology, and music technology
  4. Capacity for analytical and critical thinking and for creative problem-solving through individual instrumental or vocal study, composition, participation in performing ensembles and academic tasks involving theoretical issues
  5. Information Literacy – the skills to locate, evaluate and use relevant information
  6. The capacity for enterprise, initiative and creativity, developed primarily through opportunities for performing and composing, and being involved in concert organizing and musical leadership
  7. An appreciation of, and respect for, diversity, through participation in and study of diversity of musical practice and thinking
  8. High levels of oral and written communication, supported with discipline-based forms of communication such as scores and music performance
  9. Skills required for collaborations and contribution to the international community are developed through individual instrumental or vocal performance, composition, ensemble performances and the study of diverse musical styles and practices
  10. Respect for ethical practice and social responsibility are fostered through links with the music industry and discussions of professional practices in theory and practice alike.

Program Structure
The basic requirements for the degree are:

Single mode (192 UOC) made up of

  1. Musicology Core (42 UOC - 7 courses
  2. Musicianship Core (24 UOC - 4 courses)
  3. Performance Laboratory Core (48 UOC - 8 courses)
  4. Stream Gateway Course (6 UOC - 1 course)
  5. Stream Courses (12 UOC - 2 courses)
  6. Prescribed Music Electives (12 UOC - 2 courses)
  7. Prescribed Faculty Electives (12 UOC - 2 courses)
  8. Free Electives (24 UOC - 4 courses)
  9. General Education (12 UOC - 2 courses)
Dual mode (144 UOC) made up of
  1. Musicology Core (42 UOC - 7 courses)
  2. Musicianship Core (24 UOC - 4 courses)
  3. Performance Laboratory Core (48 UOC - 8 courses)
  4. Stream Gateway Course (6 UOC - 1 course)
  5. Stream Courses (12 UOC - 2 courses)
  6. Prescribed Music Electives (12 UOC - 2 courses)

Dual Mode with Bachelor of Arts

Because both programs are internal to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences the General Education (GE) Exemption for Dual programs does not apply.

For students completing the BMus in this Dual mode the Prescribed Faculty Elective in the BA is replaced with an approved GE course to meet 6 UOC of the GE requirement. The other 6 UOC is to be taken by converting MUSC3701 Performance Laboratory 5 into an approved GE course. This completes the 12 UOC GE requirement.

Level 1

Core
  • MUSC1101 Music Reinvented (6 UOC)
  • MUSC1604 Western Music: A Panorama (6 UOC)
  • MUSC1602 M&S 1 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC1603 M&S 2 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC1701 Per Lab 1 (BMus) (6 UOC) OR
    MUSC1702 Per Lab 1 (Adv) (6 UOC)
    (Music Creative Practice Stream only)
  • MUSC1704 Per Lab 2 (BMus) (6 UOC) OR
    MUSC1705 Per Lab 2 (Adv) (6 UOC)
    (Music Creative Practice Stream only)

    • Level 2

    Core

    Stream Gateway (6 UOC)

    Level 3

    Core
  • MUSC3701 Per Lab 5 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC3702 Per Lab 6 (6 UOC)

    • Stream Courses (12 UOC)

    Level 4 (Pass)

    Core
  • MUSC4701 Per Lab 7 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC4702 Per Lab 8 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC4XXX Research-Based Music Course (6 UOC)
  • MUSC4XXX Practice-Based Music Course (6 UOC)
  • MUSC2604 Music History and Culture 1 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC3601 Music History and Culture 2 (6 UOC)

    • Prescribed Music Electives (12 UOC)

    Prescribed Music Electives

    Prescribed music electives are chosen from the list of offerings published by the program.

    Prescribed Faculty Electives

    Prescribed Faculty Electives are any course chosen by the student from the offerings of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences for which they are qualified to enrol. Students can add depth to their program by completing more stream or music electives or undertake other courses from other areas of study within the Faculty.

    Free Electives

    A Free Elective is any course offered either within or outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in which the student is able to enrol. Students can add depth to their program by completing more stream or music electives.

    General Education

    General Education is the completion of two courses (12 UOC) offered outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

    Award with Distinction

    High achieving students who secure a WAM of 75 across their program and who have completed at least 48 UOC of their program at UNSW are eligible for the award of their Pass Degree "with Distinction".

    Honours

    High achieving BMus students (in Single or Dual mode) who have successfully completed all course requirements for levels 1-3 may apply to continue their fourth year of study in the Bachelor of Music (Honours) program 3440. A minimum WAM of 70 is required for entry into Honours. Further information about the Bachelor of Music (Honours) program will be made available in the 2015 Handbook.

    Performance Ensembles

    BMus students must take part in a required number of the performance ensembles offered by the School.

    Sample Program

    It is strongly recommended that students follow the sample program to ensure compliance with course requirements. The sample program applies to students who commenced their program in 2014 or later. Students who commenced their program prior to 2014 should consult the School office.

    Bachelor of Music (BMus) Sample Program (PASS degree)
     
    Level 1
    Semester 1
    MUSC1101 Music Reinvented
    (6 UOC)
    MUSC1602 Materials & Structures 1
    (6 UOC)
    MUSC1701 Performance Lab 1
    (6 UOC)
    OR
    MUSC1702 Performance Lab 1 (Adv) (6 UOC) (Music Creative Practice stream only) 
    General Education
    (6 UOC)
    Level 1
    Semester 2
    MUSC1603 Materials & Structures 2
    (6 UOC)
    MUSC1604 Western Music: a Panorama
    (6 UOC)
    MUSC1704 Performance Lab 2
    (6 UOC) OR
    MUSC1705 Performance Lab 2 (Adv) (6 UOC) (Music Creative Practice stream only)
    		 Free Elective (6 UOC)
    Level 2
    Semester 1
    MUSC2116 Sound, Society, and Self in World Music (6 UOC)
    MUSC2602 Materials & Structures 3 
    (6 UOC)
    MUSC2701 Performance Lab 3 (6 UOC)
     
    		 General Education (6 UOC)
    Level 2
    Semester 2
    Stream Gateway Course (6 UOC)
    MUSC2603 Materials & Structures 4
    (6 UOC)
    MUSC2702 Performance Lab 4
    (6 UOC)
    Free Elective
    (6 UOC)
    Level 3
    Semester 1
    Prescribed Faculty Elective 6 UOC)
    Stream Course (6 UOC)
    MUSC3701 Performance Lab 5
    (6 UOC)
    Free Elective (6 UOC)
    Level 3
    Semester 2
    Prescribed Faculty Elective 6 UOC)
    Stream Course (6 UOC)
    MUSC3702 Performance Lab 6
    (6 UOC)
    		 Free Elective (6 UOC)
    Level 4 - PASS
    Semester 1
    MUSC2604 Advanced Studies in Music History & Culture 1 (6 UOC)
    MUSC4XXX Research-based Music Course (6 UOC)
    MUSC4701 Performance Lab 7 (6 UOC)
    Prescribed Music Elective
    (6 UOC)
    Semester 2
    		 MUSC3601 Advanced Studies in Music History & Culture 2 (6 UOC)
    MUSC4XXX Practice-based Music Course (6 UOC)
    MUSC4702 Performance Lab 8
    Prescribed Music Elective
    (6 UOC)
     
     
    Performance labs
    Musicology
    Musicianship
    Stream courses
    Prescribed Music Electives
    Free Electives and General Education
     


    Academic Rules

    Single Mode

    To qualify for the award of the degree at Pass level, a student must:
    1. enrol in the Bachelor of Music and complete 192 UOC
    2. complete the core requirements
    3. complete the stream courses and prescribed music elective requirements
    4. complete 12 UOC of Prescribed Faculty Electives
    5. complete 24 UOC of Free Electives
    6. complete 12 UOC of General Education
    7. complete at least 36 UOC of Level 1 courses before enrolling in Level 2 courses
    8. specify their major at the time of enrolment into Level 2
    9. complete at least 36 UOC of Level 2 courses before enrolling in Level 3 courses
    10. complete at least 36 UOC of Level 3 courses before enrolling in Level 4 courses

    Dual Mode

    To qualify for the award of the degree at Pass level, a student must:
    1. enrol in the Bachelor of Music and complete 144 UOC
    2. complete the core requirements
    3. complete the stream courses and prescribed elective requirements
    4. complete at least 36 UOC of Level 1 courses before enrolling in Level 2 courses
    5. specify their major at the time of enrolment into Level 2
    6. complete at least 36 UOC of Level 2 courses before enrolling in Level 3 courses
    7. complete at least 36 UOC of Level 3 courses before enrolling in Level 4 courses

    Dual Mode with Bachelor of Arts

    To qualify for the award of the degree at Pass level, a student must:
    1. enrol in the Bachelor of Music and complete 144 UOC
    2. complete the core requirements
    3. complete the stream courses and prescribed elective requirements
    4. complete at least 36 UOC of Level 1 courses before enrolling in Level 2 courses
    5. specify their major at the time of enrolment into Level 2
    6. complete at least 36 UOC of Level 2 courses before enrolling in Level 3 courses
    7. complete at least 36 UOC of Level 3 courses before enrolling in Level 4 courses
    8. complete 12 UOC of General Education overall

    Fees
    For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

    Important Information
    The Academic Rules for the UNSW BMus and the online enrolment facility provide students with a wide range of course choices. The online enrolment facility checks that students meet the enrolment requirements for individual courses but not that a course complies with Program Rules. Students are responsible for ensuring they are enrolling in accordance with the Academic Rules outlined above. Students should not assume that because they have enrolled in a course online that the course is automatically credited to their degree program.

    Further Information
    Admission to the program is subject to a satisfactory audition/interview and an acceptable level of attainment in year 12 studies or equivalent. Assumed knowledge: HSC Music 2 or Extension or equivalent qualification.

    For more information on the audition/interview, please contact school

    For all other enquiries, please contact the Arts and Social Sciences Student Centre.
    Tel: + 61 2 9385 2289
    Email: arts@unsw.edu.au
    Location: Room G1 Ground Floor, Morven Brown building (C20)
    Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
    Frequently asked questions

    Glossary of Terms
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