University of Sydney Handbooks - 2011 Archive

Download full 2011 archive Page archived at: Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:21:47 +1000
You are here: Home / Sydney Conservatorium of Music / Undergraduate / Bachelor of Music (Composition)

Bachelor of Music (Composition)

The major focus in this degree is the development of composition skills, together with work in electroacoustic music and studies in compositional techniques and analysis. At the end of second year, students can choose to specialise further in electroacoustic music composition or in more traditional forms of instrumental and vocal composition. Students who choose to specialise in electroacoustic composition will take a minimum of 24 credit points of electroacoustic/computer music units of study. Students who choose to specialise in instrumental/vocal composition will work with performers in composer–performer workshops where they have the opportunity to hear and refine the music they write. In addition all students take core studies in aural perception, harmony and analysis, and studies in analysis, history and culture.

Core requirements for graduation with a Bachelor of Music (Composition)

Students should complete at least the minimum number of credit points in each area throughout their courses, and reach the minimum levels of achievement as outlined in the Faculty Resolutions.

Typical enrolment patterns

The following tables show typical enrolment patterns with the appropriate credit points. These patterns are for guidance and are not mandatory as the course structure is designed to allow considerable choice in the units of study taken and flexibility over when units are taken.

Bachelor of Music (Composition), Electroacoustic strand

Semester 1

  

Semester 2

  

Semester 3

  

Semester 4

  

Composition 1

6

Composition 2

6

Composition 3

6

Composition 4

6

Compositional Techniques and Analysis 1

6

Compositional Techniques and Analysis 2

6

Compositional Techniques and Analysis 3

3

Compositional Techniques and Analysis 4

3

Aural Perception 1

3

Aural Perception 2

3

Aural Perception 3

3

Aural Perception 4

3

Harmony and Analysis 1

3

Harmony and Analysis 2

3

Harmony and Analysis 3

3

Harmony and Analysis 4

3

Teaching Music/Pedagogy

3

Studies in analysis, history and culture

6

Comp through Improvisation 1

3

Comp through Improvisation 2

3

Music Technology

3

    

Electroacoustic Music 1

6

Electroacoustic Music 2

6
 

24

  

24

  

24

  

24

Semester 5

  

Semester 6

  

Semester 7

  

Semester 8

  

Composition 5

6

Composition 6

6

Composition 7

6

Composition 8

6

Computer Music Fundamentals

6

Advanced Computer Music

6

Studies in analysis, history and culture

6

Ensemble

3

Studies in analysis, history and culture

6

Studies in analysis, history and culture

6

Ensemble

3

Free Choice

15

Composition Through Improvisation 3

3

Composition Through Improvisation 4

3

Free Choice

9

    

Ensemble

3

Ensemble

3

        
 

24

  

24

  

24

  

24

Bachelor of Music (Composition), Instrumental strand

Semester 1

  

Semester 2

  

Semester 3

  

Semester 4

  

Composition 1

6

Composition 2

6

Composition 3

6

Composition 4

6

Compositional Techniques and Analysis 1

6

Compositional Techniques and Analysis 2

6

Compositional Techniques and Analysis 3

3

Compositional Techniques and Analysis 4

3

Aural Perception 1

3

Aural Perception 2

3

Aural Perception 3

3

Aural Perception 4

3

Harmony and Analysis 1

3

Harmony and Analysis 2

3

Harmony and Analysis 3

3

Harmony and Analysis 4

3

Teaching Music/Pedagogy

3

Studies in analysis, history and culture

6

Comp through Improvisation 1

3

Comp through Improvisation 2

3

Music Technology

3

    

Electroacoustic Music 1

6

Electroacoustic Music 2

6
 

24

  

24

  

24

  

24

Semester 5

  

Semester 6

  

Semester 7

  

Semester 8

  

Composition 5

6

Composition 6

6

Composition 7

6

Composition 8

6

Composer Performer Workshop 1

3

Composer Performer Workshop 2

3

Composer Performer Workshop 3

3

Composer Performer Workshop 4

3

Studies in analysis, history and culture

6

Studies in analysis, history and culture

6

Studies in analysis, history and culture

6

Ensemble

3

Composition Through Improvisation 3

3

Composition Through Improvisation 4

3

Ensemble

3

Free Choice

12

Ensemble

3

Ensemble

3

Free Choice

6

    

Free Choice

3

Free Choice

3

        
 

24

  

24

  

24

  

24
 

Bachelor of Music (Composition)


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course and stream title

QH010

Bachelor of Music (Composition)

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is normally full time. Part time study may be permitted upon successful application.

3 Admission to candidature

(1)
Admission to this course is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), tertiary study or an approved preparation program. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Special admission pathways are open for mature aged applicants who do not possess a school leaving qualification, educationally disadvantaged applicants and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking. Details of admission policies are found in the Coursework Rule.
(2)
In addition, admission to this course requires the applicant to complete a music skills or jazz aptitude test; and to submit at least three compositions in different performance media and attend an interview. The results of this process will form part of the ranking of applicants.

4 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out in the Table of units of study for Undergraduate Degrees.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the pass degree, a candidate must successfully complete 192 credit points and reach the minimum levels of achievement as set out in the table below:

Area of study

Minimum Credit Points

Minimum level of achievement

Principal Study

48

Composition Principal Study 8

Composition

42

Compositional Techniques and Analysis 4;  and

Electroacoustic Music 2;

Computer Music Advanced; or Composition Performer Workshop 4

Performance

24

Composition through Improvisation 4; and

12 credit points of ensemble units

Music Skills

27

Harmony and Analysis 4;

Aural Perception 4; and Music Technology

Studies in analysis, history & culture

24

At least 12 credit points from Foundation units

Teaching Music

3

Can be taken in studio pedagogy or music education units of study

Electives

24

  

5 Requirements for the Honours degree

(1)
Honours is available to meritorious students who complete an alternative set of units of study. Admission to the honours program is by permission of the program coordinator after the completion of 96 credit points of study including the prerequisites for Composition 5 (Honours) as set out in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Handbook. Admission requires a WAM of at least 65 in second year units of study, and a mark of at least 75 in Composition 4 unit.
(2)
To qualify for the honours degree, candidates must complete the requirements for the pass degree including 36 credit points of honours units from Composition Principal Study units. The grade of honours will be determined by Honours WAM (HWAM) as described in the Resolutions of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

6 Award of the degree

(1)
The Bachelor of Music (Composition) is awarded in the grades of either Pass or Honours. The honours degree is awarded in classes ranging from First Class to Third Class according to the rules specified in the Resolutions of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
(2)
The Bachelor of Music pass degree may be awarded with merit.
(3)
Candidates for the award of the Honours degree who do not meet the requirements, but who have otherwise satisfied the course requirements of the Bachelor of Music (Composition), will be awarded the pass degree.

7 Transitional provisions

(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that the requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.