Course description
Course overview
The programme is designed to meet the needs of:
* recent graduates in music and the arts, business studies, computing and engineering and other disciplines who aim to work in the media, communications or music industries
* those already employed in one of these sectors who are looking for additional theoretical knowledge
* teachers and lecturers looking for in-service education
Course content
All students complete three taught core modules and one optional module from a choice of two. MSc students also complete a research project or dissertation. The Diploma may be converted to an MSc by completing the research project, once the assessment requirements for the Diploma have been successfully completed.
Core taught modules
* Principles of Sound Production and Control | Introduces fundamental concepts in audio engineering before moving on to more advanced principles. Topics range from basic nomenclature, through filters and digital audio, to signal processing and oversampling.
* Sound Synthesis | Provides an understanding of the acoustic nature of sound itself, essential to an appreciation of the technology of music. It is now possible to use digital descriptions of music to investigate aspects such as perception of meter, rhythm and compositional style. Finally, at a higher level of analysis, the module looks at how computers have influenced music production and distribution.
* Acoustics and Music Information | Provides an understanding of the acoustic nature of sound itself, essential to an appreciation of the technology of music. It is now possible to use digital descriptions of music to investigate aspects such as perception of meter, rhythm and compositional style. Finally, at a higher level of analysis, the module looks at how computers have influenced music production and distribution.
Optional taught modules
* Multimedia Authoring | This module introduces the basic elements of authoring in a multimedia programming environment that integrates graphics, animation, video, midi and advanced audio processing. Effective programs incorporating audio processing and midi can be created without learning vast amounts of formal programming theory. The ability to program and express solutions in terms of a computer language is a transferable skill aiding the learning of more diverse languages.
* Performance Practice and New Technologies | This module provides advanced instruction in audiovisual production and live mediated perfomance methods. It develops the use of tools and skills through practical creative work, repertoire analysis and live presentation. Creative projects employing software for audiovisual composition or sound and image processing in conjunction with live performaers are designed and performed. Current aesthetic and theorietcal issues addressing new modes of perfomance and audiovisual composition are studied.
Research project or dissertation
Due to the diversity of educational backgrounds of those on the course we encourage students to make use of original skills and draw upon material introduced by the taught modules to develop the project. Typically, the nature of the project falls into one (or perhaps a mixture) of three broad categories: discursive, software, or hardware.
Teaching and assessment
A range of teaching and learning strategies is used, including lectures, demonstrations, computer lab work and individual tutorials. Practical sessions are a very important aspect of the programme: the Department's computing laboratory is used to develop skills through 'hands-on' computing applied to music. Individual tutorals are the forum for academic consultation, advice on the planning of work and feedback discussion.
The programme is delivered over one year (full time) or two years (part time), commencing in late September. The project is submitted in mid-August, followed by a viva voce examination for the project in early September. Part-time students complete two of the 30-credit modules in the first year, and the remaining two modules in the second year. The project is completed during the second year. Full-time students attend four two-hour classes per week, while part-time students attend two two-hour classes.
