Music Technology (BM)
Program Description
The Bachelor of Music program in Music Technology provides a solid foundation in music, music technology, and the liberal arts to prepare graduates for a career in fields like sound recording and engineering, music production, electronic music, sound and music computing, hardware development, game audio, film and video sound post-production, and XR (AR/VR) systems. Students develop their skills through creative experimentation in a suite of state-of-the-art research and studio facilities and through interaction with faculty and leading technologists from the industry. Students intern at major recording studios, media companies, and performance venues in New York City.
Dual Degree
Students may also pursue a dual BM/MM Music Technology option.
Admissions
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.
This program requires an artistic portfolio for admission.
Program Requirements
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Liberal Arts Requirements | ||
Foreign Language | ||
Select four credits of a foreign language | 4 | |
Expository Writing | ||
EXPOS-UA 1 | Writing The Essay: | 4 |
ACE-UE 110 | Advanced College Essay: Educ & The Professions | 4 |
Foundations of Contemporary Culture | ||
Select one of the following: | 4 | |
Cultures and Contexts 1 | ||
Expressive Culture 1 | ||
Societies & Social Sciences 1 | ||
Foundations of Scientific Inquiry | ||
Math/Computer Science | 4 | |
Math/Computer Science | 4 | |
Physical Science or Life Science 1 | 4 | |
Other Liberal Arts Requirements | ||
MPATC-UE 1068 | Music History II: Baroque & Classical | 2 |
MPATC-UE 1077 | Music History III | 2 |
Select four credits of the following: | 4 | |
Music History I (Select four credits from the following:) | ||
Music History IV: Twentieth Century | ||
The Performing Arts in Global Cultures | ||
Music Theatre Hist I | ||
Music Theatre Hist II | ||
Film Music: Historical Aesthetics/Perspectives | ||
Songwriting History and Criticism (14 Songs) | ||
Songwriting History and Criticisms: 14 Songs | ||
Jazz History | ||
Liberal Arts Electives | ||
Select four credits of Liberal Arts Electives | 4 | |
Additional Requirements | ||
SAHS-UE 1 | New Student Seminar | 0 |
Writing Proficiency Examination | 0 | |
Major Requirements | ||
Music Core Requirements | ||
MPATC-UE 1300 | (based on placement exam) | 2 |
MPATC-UE 1302 | Aural Skills I: Global Approaches to Music | 1 |
MPATC-UE 1301 | Theory & Practice I: Global Approaches to Music | 2 |
MPAPE-UE 72 | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
MPAPE-UE 73 | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
Private Instruction: Choose an instrument of your choice (Lessons are 2 or 3 credits per semester) | 4-6 | |
Performance Ensembles | 4 | |
Select 2 corequisite courses from the following Theory & Practice and Aural Skills courses: | 4 | |
Theory & Practice II: Popular Music and Aural Skills II: Popular Music | ||
Aural Skills II: Popular Music | ||
Theory & Practice II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading | ||
Aural Skills II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading | ||
Advanced Aural Skills | ||
Select one course from the following: | 1 | |
MPATC-UE 1341 | ||
Advanced Aural Skills: Post Tonal and Extended Chromaticism | ||
Advanced Aural Skills: Sight-Singing | ||
Advanced Aural Skills: Popular Music Transcription | ||
Advanced Theory and Practice | ||
Select two courses from following: | 4 | |
MPATC-UE 1331 | ||
Advanced Theory & Practice: Post Tonal and Contemporary Music | ||
Advanced Theory & Practice: Non-Western Music | ||
Advanced Theory & Practice: Counterpoint in the Digital Age | ||
Music Technology Core Requirements | ||
MPATE-UE 1801 | Fundamentals of Music Technology | 2 |
MPATE-UE 1037 | Elect Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techn | 3 |
MPATE-UE 1047 | Comp Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techniques | 3 |
MPATE-UE 1817 | Analog Electronics | 3 |
MPATE-UE 1827 | Analog Electronics Lab | 1 |
MPATE-UE 1818 | Digital Electronics | 3 |
MPATE-UE 1828 | Digital Electronics Lab | 1 |
MPATE-UE 1001 | Analog Recording Technology | 3 |
MPATE-UE 1003 | Digital Recording Technology | 3 |
MPATE-UE 1010 | Introduction to Audio for Video | 2 |
MPATE-UE 1011 | Concert Recording | 2 |
MPATE-UE 1820 | Internship in Music Technology | 3 |
MPATE-UE 1900 | Music Technology Undergraduate Capstone Project (1-credit course taken twice for a total of 2 credits) | 2 |
Music Technology Guided Specialization | ||
Select 17 credits by advisement, sample courses by areas of interest provided below: 3 | 17 | |
Recording and Production: | ||
Studio Production Techniques | ||
Applied Studio Production | ||
Software Music Production | ||
Mixing in the Digital Audio Workstation | ||
Aesthetics of Recording | ||
Live Sound Reinforcement | ||
Area B: Hardware/Software | ||
Fund of Audio Tech I: Stu Maint (Hardware/Software:) | ||
Fund of Audio Tech II: Stu Maint | ||
Midi Technology II | ||
Electronic Product Design for Music and Audio | ||
Sound Design and Spatialization at IRCAM | ||
Area C: Electronic Performance | ||
Electronic Music Performance (Electronic Performance:) | ||
Applied Audio for Video | ||
Advanced Topics in Music Technology: Multichannel Media Installation and Performance | ||
Distributed Performance | ||
Global Electronic Music I | ||
Unrestricted Electives | ||
Select 17 Unrestricted Elective credits by advisement, for Double Majors, Minors, Music Electives 4 | 17 | |
Total Credits | 128 |
- 1
- 2
Passing score on Comprehensive Exam in Theory & Aural Skills is required for completion.
- 3
Chosen by advisement.
- 4
Examples: Computer Science Double Major, Minor, BEMT minor, other minors, additional private instrument or composition lessons.
Sample Plan of Study
1st Semester/Term | Credits | |
---|---|---|
MPATC-UE 1300 | based on placement exam | 2 |
MPAXX-UE XX | Lesson | 3 |
EXPOS-UA 1 | Writing The Essay: | 4 |
CORE-UA/CSCI-UA | Math/Comp Sci | 4 |
MPATE-UE 1801 | Fundamentals of Music Technology | 2 |
MPATE-UE 1047 |
Comp Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techniques or Elect Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techn |
3 |
Credits | 16 | |
2nd Semester/Term | ||
MPATC-UE 1301 | Theory & Practice I: Global Approaches to Music | 2 |
MPATC-UE 1302 | Aural Skills I: Global Approaches to Music | 1 |
MPAPE-UE 72 | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
MPATC-UE XX | Music Hist Elective | 2 |
ACE-UE 110 | Advanced College Essay: Educ & The Professions | 4 |
CORE-UA/CSCI-UA | Math/Comp Sci | 4 |
MPATE-UE 1817 & MPATE-UE 1827 |
Analog Electronics and Analog Electronics Lab |
4 |
Credits | 18 | |
3rd Semester/Term | ||
MPATC-UE 1311/1312 | Theory & Practice II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading | 2 |
MPATC-UE 1321/1322 | Aural Skills II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading | 1 |
MPAPE-UE 72 | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
MPATC-UE 1068 | Music History II: Baroque & Classical | 2 |
CORE-UA 2xx/3xx | Natural Science | 4 |
MPATE-UE 1818 & MPATE-UE 1828 |
Digital Electronics and Digital Electronics Lab |
3 |
MPATE-UE 1001 | Analog Recording Technology | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
4th Semester/Term | ||
MPATC-UE 1331 | 2 | |
MPATC-UE 1341 | 1 | |
MPATC-UE XX | Music Hist Elective | 2 |
Foreign Language | 4 | |
Texts and Ideas | 4 | |
MPAXX-UE XX | Guided Spec | 4 |
Credits | 17 | |
5th Semester/Term | ||
MPATC-UE 1332 | Advanced Theory & Practice: Post Tonal and Contemporary Music | 2 |
MPAXX-UE XX | Ensemble | 2 |
MPATC-UE 1077 | Music History III | 2 |
MPATE-UE 1047 |
Comp Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techniques or Elect Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techn |
3 |
MPATE-UE 1003 | Digital Recording Technology | 3 |
MPATE-UE 1010 | Introduction to Audio for Video | 2 |
MPAXX-UE XX | Guided Spec | 3 |
Credits | 17 | |
6th Semester/Term | ||
MPAXX-UE XX | Lesson | 3 |
MPAXX-UE XX | Ensemble | 2 |
MPATE-UE 1011 | Concert Recording | 2 |
MPAXX-UE XX | Guided Spec | 3 |
Unrestricted Electives | 4 | |
Unrestricted Electives | 4 | |
Credits | 18 | |
7th Semester/Term | ||
XXXX-UA | Liberal Arts Elect | 4 |
MPATE-UE 1900 | Music Technology Undergraduate Capstone Project | 1 |
MPATE-UE 1820 | Internship in Music Technology | 3 |
MPAXX-UE XX | Guided Spec | 2 |
Unrestricted Electives | 3 | |
Credits | 13 | |
8th Semester/Term | ||
MPATE-UE 1900 | Music Technology Undergraduate Capstone Project (presentation) | 1 |
MPAXX-UE XX | Guided Spec | 3 |
MPAXX-UE XX | Guided Spec | 3 |
Unrestricted Electives | 3 | |
Unrestricted Electives | 3 | |
Credits | 13 | |
Total Credits | 128 |
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
Integrate their learned musicianship, ear training, and technological know-how to demonstrate a holistic approach to music technology.
Through presenting concrete examples of their work, demonstrate expertise and readiness to enter the field of music technology in one or more chosen areas of specialization including hardware/software design, electronic music, and/or audio engineering.- Demonstrate written and oral skills to effectively communicate concepts and ideas related specifically to music technology.
Policies
STEM OPT Benefits for International Students
If you’re an international student, you may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in this program may also be eligible for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing you to extend your time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years. For more information on who can apply for this extension visit NYU’s Office of Global Services: STEM OPT.
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Steinhardt Academic Policies
Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.