Learning outcomes
The degree aims to provide a rich cross-disciplinary programme, within which students develop skills in the interdisciplinary area of music, acoustics and audio technology.
Graduates will have a thorough understanding of the appropriate technologies and the science underlying them, as well as an understanding of their role in a wider creative arts environment.
Knowledge and understanding
On completing the programme students can be expected to:
- have a strong understanding of the scientific principles relevant to the generation and propagation of musical sound, including the functioning of musical instruments and the acoustics of spaces
- have developed knowledge and understanding of a range of advanced methods for audio signal processing, including the analysis, synthesis, manipulation, and simulation of musical sound
- have developed a knowledge and understanding of methods for computer-based generation of musical structures, patterns, sequences, and events
- be able to demonstrate understanding of the role of music/audio technology in a cultural context
- have an understanding of how musical sound is combined with other media in artistic and commercial applications
Intellectual skills
On completing the programme students can be expected to:
- identify, simplify, and apply physical principles in analysing and modelling of acoustical systems
- identify and apply appropriate methods for discretisation of physics-based sound models in the context of specific technological constraints and artistic/creative demands
- identify and apply methods for audio signal processing and real-time control in the context of specific technological constraints and artistic/creative demands
Practical skills
On completing the programme students can be expected to:
- use a range of specific types of mathematical calculations and derivations associated with modelling and simulation of acoustic systems
- effectively use Matlab for computation tasks related to audio processing, acoustics, and simulation
- effectively use and write plug-ins for MAX/MSP and PD for real-time audio processing
- write computer programs in C(++) and/or Java for computational tasks related to algorithmic composition
- write interactive applets in Java for synthesis or processing of sound
- use a range of software for music-related tasks such as sound analysis/synthesis and sound recording/editing
Transferable skills
On completing the programme students can be expected to:
- follow an independent programme of study through to completion
- plan, carry out, and report on an individual research project;
- manage time and work to deadlines
- participate constructively in groups
- find information and use information technology
- write computer programs
This article was published on Jun 22, 2010