EMS Courses

Facilities

Courses

The UCSC Music Department offers a series of five courses in electronic music, the last of which can be repeated for credit on a continuing basis. There is no major in electronic music per se, but there is a minor. The courses are designed to complement majors in Music, Film, Theater, Art or any related field.

The courses in the electronic music series are:

• Music 80C: History, Literature and Technology of Electronic Music
• Music 123: Electronic Sound Synthesis
• Music 124: Intermediate Electronic Sound Synthesis
• Music 125: Advanced Electronic Sound Synthesis
• Music 167: Workshop in Electronic Music

The introductory course, Music 80c, is open to all students. Enrollment in the core of the series (Music 123 and above) is limited to 25 new students per year, the maximum that can be accommodated in the two studios dedicated to those courses. Preference is given to music majors, but in a typical year two thirds of the class will be majoring in other areas.

The application process for Music 123 begins at the end of Music 80c, typically around Thanksgiving. Applications are available at that time in the music department office, and must be returned by the end of finals. The applicant's experience in music and technology are the primary considerations. Note that completion of Music 14 or equivalent is required. This requirement may be satisfied through the music core curriculum placement exam given at the beginning of each school year.

Because of high student demand, there is no room for extension enrollment in these courses.

Electronic Music Minor

The electronic music minor focuses on the study of creating music with the tools of modern technology. It is designed to complement the music major or programs in other media by providing instruction in advanced skills of audio production, sound synthesis, and computer-assisted composition. A student may obtain a minor in electronic music by completing the following:

• Course 11
• Course 13 (may be satisfied through the music core curriculum placement examination)
• Course 14 (may be satisfied through the music core curriculum placement examination)
• Courses 80C, 123, 124, 125, and 167
• Course 80L or 80R (or a similar music course with a technical focus as approved by the department)
• Physics 80A or an introductory computer programming course such as Computer Science 12 or 60.

Since enrollment is limited, paperwork for the minor will not be processed until a student has gained admittance to Music 123.

Graduate Studies

The following graduate courses in electronic and computer music are offered in support of the composition track of the Master of Arts Degree and the DMA in algorithmic composition.

Music 223: Electronic Sound Synthesis, is an introduction to graduate level electronic music composition using advanced techniques such as Kyma and CSound. Those with little studio experience may be asked to attend appropriate lectures in the undergraduate courses. This course is also offered as DANM 223.

Music 225: Computer Assisted Composition is an introduction to techniques of algorithmic and computer assisted composition in a variety of contemporary idioms.

In addtition, seminars in using Kyma, Csound, Max and other topics are offered on an irregular basis.

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