Music Science and Technology Minor

Tulane's Music Science and Technology Minor Curriculum allows students to explore intersections between music, engineering, production, and computer programming with a focus on the creative applications of technology applied to music making. The program encourages creativity both in technical research and in composition for various media and performance. Objectives include developing innovative approaches to the scientific and artistic study of music composition, performance, and media, undertaking multidisciplinary research relevant to the creation and perception of music, and fostering an interdisciplinary culture between members of the fine arts, engineering, and science communities on campus.

In addition to pursuing composition and performance projects our students refine their understanding in areas such as music signal processing, sound synthesis and analysis, music performance systems design, music perception, and psychoacoustics. Our expanding computer music composition facilities include a dedicated teaching laboratory with eight student computer workstations and an 8-channel surround sound digital studio.

Feel free to contact Dr. Rick Snow for more information about the MST curriculum.
Email: rsnow@tulane.edu

Minor Curriculum in Music Science and Technology (23 credits)

REQUIRED:

  • MUSC 1510 – Harmony (plus corresponding musicianship lab) (4 credits)
  • APMS 2218-03 – Composition for Electronic Media (2 credits)
  • APMS 3213-03 – Composition for Electronic Media (3 credits)
  • APMS 2188 – Digital Music Ensemble (2 semesters) (1 credit each for a total of 2 credits)

(Students can substitute extra semesters of Composition for Electronic Media or Advanced Composition for Electronic Media or any other course from below.)

CHOOSE 4 FROM THE FOLLOWING: (12 credits)
(these are listed in approximate order of completion)

  • MUSC 1520 – Advanced Harmony (only taken after MUSC 1510) (3 credits)
  • MUSC 2300 – Introduction to Computer Applications in Music (3 credits)
  • MUSC 2310 – History of Electronic Music (3 credits)
  • MUSC 4400 – Music and Digital Signal Processing (3 credits)
  • MUSC 4410 – Music Performance Systems (3 credits)
  • MUSC 4420 – Algorithmic and Computer Music (3 credits)
  • APMS 3330 – Film Music
  • MUSC 4950 – Special Topics in Music Technology (3 credits, can be repeated for credit in minor)

Approximate order of completion and offering schedule:

These can be taken at any point over 4 years:

  • MUSC 1510 – Harmony (offered every semester)
  • APMS 2218-03 and APMS 3213-03 (offered every semester)
  • APMS 2173-02 – Digital Music Ensemble (offered according to student interest)

only taken after MUSC 1510:

MUSC 1520 – Advanced Harmony (yearly in SPRING)

These courses should be taken in the following approximate order:

  • MUSC 2300 – Introduction to Computer Applications in Music (offered every semester)
  • MUSC 2310 – History of Electronic Music (offered every semester)
  • MUSC 4400 – Music and Digital Signal Processing (yearly in FALL)
  • MUSC 4410 – Music Performance Systems (yearly in SPRING)
  • MUSC 4420 – Algorithmic and Computer Music (offered according to student interest)