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CompositionBachelor of Music

CIP: 500904

This is a four-year program of study for students of music composition. The curriculum for this major combines courses in music academics, music skills, music theory/music history electives, general academics and intensive private instruction in composition. This degree program prepares students both for employment in the professional world and to continue their education at the graduate level.

Core curriculum 37 credits
Course number Course name Course credits
DBR 100 Introduction to Belief Systems 3
DBR 200 World Belief Systems 3
DJC 100 Foundations of U.S. Justice 3
DJCP 100 Citizenship Project 2
DJC 200 Civic Engagement and Social Justice 3
DJCE 250 Career Preparation 2
DJLC 200 Language and Culture 2
DSS 100 Theories of Self 3
DSS 200 Societies and Institutions 3
DQR 100 Algebra and Personal Finance 3
DQR 200 Introductory Statistics 3
DSL 100 Scientific Inquiry 3
DSL 200 Science and Society 3
LYNN 101 First Year Seminar 1
Major requirements 76 credits
Course number Course name Course credits
MUG 301 Basic Conducting 2
MUH 350 Music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods 3
MUH 351 Music of the Classical and Romantic Periods 3
MUH 352 Music of the Twentieth Century 3
MUH 367 Survey of World Music 3
MUR 301 Performance Forum (8 semesters - 0 credit) 0
MUR 400 Senior Recital 0
MUS 100 MUS 100 4
MUS 131 Secondary Piano I 1
MUS 132 Secondary Piano II 1
MUS 231 Secondary Piano III 1
MUS 232 Secondary Piano IV 1
MUS 201 Applied Instrument: Fr-So (4 semesters at three credits) 12
MUS 401 Applied Instrument; Jr - Sr (4 semesters at 4 credits) 16
MUT 150 Ear Training I 1
MUT 151 Ear Training II 1
MUT 200 Fundamentals of Music I: Counterpoint/Elementary Harmony 3
MUT 201 Fundamentals of Music II: Advanced Harmony 3
MUT 250 Ear Training III 1
MUT 251 Ear Training IV 1
MUT 300 Fundamentals of Music III: Tonal Analysis 3
MUT 301 Fundamentals of Music IV: Twentieth Century Theory 3
MUT 350 Orchestration 2
MUT 351 Electronic Music 2
MUT 374 Advanced Counterpoint and Fugue 3
MUT 375 Tonal Composition 3

*Students are required to take eight semesters of instruction in piano. The first four semesters of this study will be either MUS 131-232 Secondary Piano I-IV or MUS 100 Elective in Instrumental Lessons (Piano) based on placement examination.

Credits may be awarded through placement examination for the following:

  • MUS 131-232
  • MUT 150-251
  • MUT 200-301

Elective in Instrumental Lessons (4 semesters at 1 credit)

Free electives 7 credits
Course number Course name Course credits
Elective (7 Cr.) 7
Total 120 credits

4-year plan