Music Technology, Minor

Program Code: MUTEC_UMNR

Program Description

Administered by faculty from the College of Arts & Architecture's School of Music, School of Theatre, and Department of Integrative Arts, the minor in Music Technology is appropriate for undergraduate students seeking to apply domains of knowledge from their majors or General Education programs to issues of audio production and digital technology in music.

The program consists of prescribed foundation courses in musical acoustics, digital audio, sound design and audio recording. Supporting course work allows students to focus in advanced topics such as music software programming, multi-media, or entertainment systems.

The Music Technology Minor Committee is authorized to award a minor to any undergraduate who, in addition to satisfying the degree requirements of his or her baccalaureate major, satisfies the requirements for the Music Technology minor. The completion of the minor is reflected by a formal notation in the student's official record at the time of graduation.

What is Music Technology?

Music Technology is the study of musical acoustics, digital audio, sound design, and audio recording.  It is the use of devices, machines, or tools used to create, record, store, edit, and reproduce music.

You Might Like This Program If...

You have interests in recording, sound production, and acoustics and have a background in music and computer software. While open to students pursuing any major, the music technology minor combines well with majors in music, theatre sound design, integrative arts, film production, information science and technology, and computer science.

Entrance to Minor

Those interested in the music technology minor are encouraged to begin taking applicable courses as early as possible. Students must apply to the minor no later than the beginning of their 6th semester. Students who have earned at least a grade of C in INART 50 and INART 258A may apply for admission to the program by submitting an application including a course proposal.

Additional Information

For more specific information on entrance procedures, please visit the website for the College of Arts and Architecture.

Program Requirements

Requirement Credits
Requirements for the Minor 18

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
INART 50The Science of Music Keystone/General Education Course3
INART 258AFundamentals of Digital Audio Keystone/General Education Course3
THEA 285Introduction to Sound Design3
THEA 484Sound Recording Techniques3
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better
Select 6 credits in consultation with the minor adviser with at least 3 credits at the 400 level6

Learning Outcomes

  • Ability to integrate and synthesize basic musical and technological knowledge and skills in the conceptualization of music technology projects.
  • Ability to produce work in at least one area of music technology.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Margaret Higgins
Academic Adviser
104 Borland Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-9523
mah68@psu.edu

Career Paths

Students who pursue a minor in music technology develop skills in applying technology to music production and performance. These skills may provide opportunities in varied career options and graduate study opportunities

Careers

Students who complete the music technology minor will have skills that can be developed for use in many areas of music production. Acoustic consultant, audio and sound engineer, recording engineer and mixer, music editor and sound designer are just some of the jobs that use music technology. 

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

A minor in music technology may open up opportunities for further study at the graduate level.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Contact

University Park

SCHOOL OF MUSIC
233 Music Building I
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-0431
music-ug-adm@psu.edu

https://arts.psu.edu/academics/school-of-music/