Music Technology (BS)
Music technologists are the architects of tomorrow’s soundscapes. Standing at the intersection of art and engineering, these innovators are revolutionizing the way we create, experience, and interact with audio. This dynamic field empowers a new breed of engineer to design the cutting-edge hardware and software that power the industry. From the studio to the stage, music technologists leverage breakthroughs by harnessing the power of advanced engineering tools, such as CAD, Acoustic Modeling, Transducer Design, Computer Programming, System Design, and Artificial Intelligence. They don't just build tools—they engineer and redefine the music and audio industry.
Core Courses
The undergraduate major in Music Technology is an interdisciplinary program that provides a foundation of theoretical and practical skills in music and electrical and computer engineering to prepare students to design, develop, and implement advanced music technologies. In addition to a variety of supporting courses, it has three primary components: a musicianship core (26 hours including applied and ensemble study); an engineering core (35 hours including calculus and physics); and a music technology core (19 hours). All students will complete a two-semester senior design project.
Musicianship Core
This is where students develop their artistry and musicianship on their instrument. Students take required courses in music theory, aural skills, class piano, music industry, and music history. In parallel, students focus on performance through their applied instruction and participation in ensembles that culminates in a final recital. This provides students a depth of musical knowledge that aids their engineering of useful and practical technology for music.
Electrical & Computer Engineering Core
Students gain the fundamental math, physics, and engineering skills through a core of electrical and computer engineering courses in circuits, digital logic, and programming. This allows them to concentrate on a specific area of engineering in hardware design, embedded systems, digital signal processing, or computer programming.
Music Technology Core
This is the convergence point where science meets sound. Here, students fuse a mastery of acoustics, psychoacoustics, and professional recording with the rigorous principles of modern engineering. By grounding their skills in the science of how we hear and mix audio, students unlock the freedom to dive deep into analog and digital electronics—designing the complex systems that power the industry.
Contact Person
Dr. Justin D. Mathew
Director of Undergraduate Programs & Music Technology Coordinator
Department of Performing Arts & Technology
jdmathew@ncsu.edu
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Musicianship Core 1 | ||
| MUS 103 | Theory and Musicianship I | 3 |
| MUS 104 | Theory and Musicianship Lab I | 1 |
| MUS 107 | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| MUS 153 | Theory and Musicianship II | 3 |
| MUS 154 | Theory and Musicianship Lab II | 1 |
| MUS 200 | Understanding Music: Global Perspectives | 3 |
| MUS 203 | Theory and Musicianship III | 3 |
| MUS 204 | Theory and Musicianship Lab III | 1 |
| MUS 207 | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| Applied Study 1 | ||
| MUS 193 | Applied Music Lessons I (2 Semesters) | 2 |
| MUS 293 | Applied Music Lessons II (2 Semesters) | 2 |
| MUS 393 | Recital | 1 |
| Ensemble Study 1 | ||
| Four Semesters of approved ensemble from: | 4 | |
| University Singers | ||
| Tenor-Bass Choir | ||
| Women's Choir | ||
| State Chorale | ||
| Raleigh Civic Symphony | ||
| Raleigh Civic Chamber Orchestra | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Beginning Band | ||
| Jazz Combo II | ||
| Jazz Lab Band | ||
| Jazz Combo I | ||
| Jazz Orchestra | ||
| Additional Study 1 | ||
| MUS 240 | Introduction to the Music Industry | 3 |
| MUS 340 | From Wax Cylinders to AI: Music Technology in Modern History | 3 |
| EMA 370 | Practical Arts Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| D 100 | Design Inquiry I: Methods and Processes | 3 |
| Math and Science 1 | ||
| MA 141 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MA 241 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PY 205 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I | 4 |
| PY 208 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II | 4 |
| Electrical & Computer Engineering Core 1 | ||
| ECE 109 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 3 |
| ECE 200 | Introduction to Signals, Circuits and Systems | 4 |
| ECE 209 | Computer Systems Programming | 3 |
| ECE 212 | Fundamentals of Logic Design | 3 |
| ECE 220 | Analytical Foundations of Electrical and Computer Engineering | 3 |
| Music Technology Core 1 | ||
| MUT 303 | Introduction to Audio Technology I | 3 |
| MUT 304 | Introduction to Audio Technology II | 3 |
| MUT 315 | Music Acoustics & Psychoacoustics | 3 |
| MUT 316 | Music Acoustics & Psychoacoustics Lab | 1 |
| MUT 403 | Music Recording & Mixing | 3 |
| MUT 431 | Music Technology I | 3 |
| MUT 432 | Music Technology II | 3 |
| Capstone 1 | ||
| MUT 461 | Music Technology Senior Project I | 3 |
| MUT 462 | Music Technology Senior Project II | 3 |
| Electronics and Circuits Concentration 1 | ||
| Pick one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Linear Systems | ||
| Microelectronics | ||
| Introduction to Embedded Systems | ||
| Data Structures and Object-Oriented Programming for Electrical and Computer Engineers | ||
| Design of Complex Digital Systems | ||
| GEP Courses | ||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | |
| GEP Foundations of American Democracy | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge | ||
| Free Elective | 1 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
C- or better required
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| MUS 103 | Theory and Musicianship I | 3 |
| MUS 104 | Theory and Musicianship Lab I | 1 |
| MUS 107 | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| MA 141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| PY 205 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I | 4 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MUS 153 | Theory and Musicianship II | 3 |
| MUS 154 | Theory and Musicianship Lab II | 1 |
| MUS 207 | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| MUS 193 | Applied Music Lessons I | 1 |
| MA 241 | Calculus II | 4 |
| ECE 109 | Introduction to Computer Systems 1 | 3 |
| PY 208 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II | 4 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MUS 203 | Theory and Musicianship III | 3 |
| MUS 204 | Theory and Musicianship Lab III | 1 |
| D 100 | Design Inquiry I: Methods and Processes | 3 |
| Approved Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUT 315 | Music Acoustics & Psychoacoustics | 3 |
| MUT 316 | Music Acoustics & Psychoacoustics Lab | 1 |
| ECE 200 | Introduction to Signals, Circuits and Systems | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MUS 200 | Understanding Music: Global Perspectives | 3 |
| ECE 212 | Fundamentals of Logic Design | 3 |
| ECE 220 | Analytical Foundations of Electrical and Computer Engineering | 3 |
| Approved Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUS 193 | Applied Music Lessons I | 1 |
| MUT 403 | Music Recording & Mixing | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MUS 240 | Introduction to the Music Industry | 3 |
| MUT 303 | Introduction to Audio Technology I | 3 |
| ECE 209 | Computer Systems Programming | 3 |
| EMA 370 | Practical Arts Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Approved Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUS 293 | Applied Music Lessons II | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MUS 340 | From Wax Cylinders to AI: Music Technology in Modern History | 3 |
| MUT 304 | Introduction to Audio Technology II | 3 |
| ECE Concentration (301, 302, 306, 309, 310) | 3 | |
| GEP Requirements | 3 | |
| Approved Ensemble | 1 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MUT 461 | Music Technology Senior Project I | 3 |
| MUT 431 | Music Technology I | 3 |
| MUS 293 | Applied Music Lessons II | 1 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 1 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MUT 462 | Music Technology Senior Project II | 3 |
| MUT 432 | Music Technology II | 3 |
| MUS 393 | Recital | 1 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Career Opportunities
Career Titles
- Audio and Video Technician
- Disc Jockey
- Entertainer and Performer
- Film and Video Editor
- Music Composer
- Music Director
- Music Producer
- Musician
- Sound Engineering Technician
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