Music Major Program
School for the Contemporary Arts | Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar 2012 Summer
The bachelor of fine arts (BFA) with a major in music is a flexible program that offers several options for the music student to pursue an interest in composition, electroacoustic music, world music or interdisciplinary collaboration. The program takes full advantage of the opportunities to experience and study other art forms that are provided in the School for the Contemporary Arts.
At the upper division, students complete one of three streams: composition, electroacoustic, or collaboration. The requirements at the lower division are the same for all streams but students are advised to select their chosen stream as early as second year, so that the proper prerequisites can be completed.
Students whose interest in music is related primarily to its historical, critical, or theoretical aspects should consider the art and culture studies major program which leads to a bachelor of arts degree. Contact the school's general office for information about entry to specific music courses.
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements
Program and course admission is contingent upon University admission. Contact Student Services for admission procedures, requirements and deadlines. Entry to all programs and to many courses is by audition, interview or application. Contact the school’s office for information on procedures and deadlines.
Although the University operates on a trimester system, most FPA courses are planned in a two term (fall and spring) sequence. Consequently, students enter in the fall term (September) and are advised to contact the school in the preceding January for program entry and requirements information.
Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing
Unassigned or general elective (type 2 and 3, respectively) transfer credit awarded for courses completed at other recognized post-secondary institutions will not automatically entitle students to advanced standing in the school’s programs. Advanced standing is generally given on an individual basis as a result of an audition or interview.
About the School's Course Offerings
Students are encouraged to take advantage of interdisciplinary offerings within the school. As many programs depend on a continuing sequence of courses completed in order, students should plan carefully to gain the maximum benefit and efficiency from their study.
Note that not all courses are offered every term and several are offered on a rotational basis, i.e. every third or fourth term. An advisor is available to help plan study programs.
Students are reminded that the school is an interdisciplinary fine and performing arts department, and are strongly advised to acquaint themselves with the many disciplinary courses that are available.
Special Topics Courses
The subject matter (and prerequisites) of special or selected topics courses vary by term.
Prior Approval Prerequisite
Where a prerequisite is or includes 'prior approval', approval must be obtained before enrolling in the course. Contact the school for further information.
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 39 units, including all of
- FPA 111 Issues in Fine and Performing Arts (3)
- FPA 140 Music after 1900 (3)
- FPA 145 Introduction to Music Composition and Theory (3)
- FPA 147 Introduction to Electroacoustic Music (3)
- FPA 240 Contemporary Music Performance I (3)
- FPA 244 Theory of Contemporary Music (3)
- FPA 285 Interdisciplinary Studio - Composition/Collaboration (3)
and four of
- FPA 243 Gamelan I (3)
- FPA 245 Music Composition I (3)
- FPA 246 Music Composition II (3)
- FPA 247 Electroacoustic Music I (3)
- FPA 248 Conducting I (3)
- FPA 249 Selected Topics in Music I (3)
- CMNS 258 Introduction to Electroacoustic Communication (3)
and one additional FPA studio course from outside of the music discipline
and one FPA theory or history course from outside of the music discipline
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 45 units, including the requirements for one of the following three streams.
Composition Stream
Students who choose this stream will complete a minimum total of 34 upper division units, including all of
- FPA 345 Music Composition III (4)
- FPA 346 Music Composition IV (4)
- FPA 445 Music Composition V (4)
- FPA 446 Senior Project in Music Composition (5)
and a minimum of 11 units chosen from
- FPA 340 Contemporary Music Performance II (3)
- FPA 341 World Music (3)
- FPA 343 Gamelan II (3)
- FPA 344 Contemporary Music Analysis and Criticism (3)
- FPA 347 Electroacoustic Music II (4)
- FPA 348 Conducting II (3)
- FPA 349 Selected Topics in Music II (3)
- FPA 443 Gamelan III (3)
- FPA 447 Computer Music Composition (4)
and a minimum of six FPA units chosen from outside of the music discipline (CMNS 358 or 359 may be substituted)
Electroacoustic Stream
Students who choose this stream will complete a minimum of 32 upper division units including all of
- FPA 347 Electroacoustic Music II (4)
- FPA 387 Digital Art (3)
- FPA 447 Computer Music Composition (4)
and a minimum of 15 units chosen from
- CMNS 358 Sound Recording: Theory and Design (4)
- CMNS 359 Acoustic Dimensions of Communication II * (4)
- FPA 340 Contemporary Music Performance II (3)
- FPA 341 World Music (3)
- FPA 343 Gamelan II (3)
- FPA 344 Contemporary Music Analysis and Criticism (3)
- FPA 345 Music Composition III (4)
- FPA 346 Music Composition IV (4)
- FPA 348 Conducting II (3)
- FPA 349 Selected Topics in Music II (3)
- FPA 443 Gamelan III (3)
- FPA 445 Music Composition V (4)
- FPA 446 Senior Project in Music Composition (5)
and a minimum of six FPA units chosen from outside of the music discipline
Collaboration Stream
Students who choose this stream will complete a minimum of 32 upper division units including
- FPA 489 Interdisciplinary Project in FPA (5)
and three of
- FPA 311 Interdisciplinary Studies in the Arts (4)
- FPA 324 New Dance Composition * (3)
- FPA 325 Special Project in Dance Composition * (3)
- FPA 352 Playmaking III (3)
- FPA 353 Playmaking IV * (4)
- FPA 453 Theory and Practice of Directing (4)
and a minimum of 15 units chosen from
- FPA 340 Contemporary Music Performance II (3)
- FPA 341 World Music (3)
- FPA 343 Gamelan II (3)
- FPA 344 Contemporary Music Analysis and Criticism (3)
- FPA 345 Music Composition III (4)
- FPA 346 Music Composition IV (4)
- FPA 347 Electroacoustic Music II (4)
- FPA 348 Conducting II (3)
- FPA 349 Selected Topics in Music II (3)
- FPA 443 Gamelan III (3)
- FPA 445 Music Composition V (4)
- FPA 446 Senior Project in Music Composition (5)
- FPA 447 Computer Music Composition (4)
and an additional three FPA units from outside music
*collaboration stream students participate as music students in these classes. Other FPA studio courses at the upper division may be substituted with the permission of the area.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Program Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs (except the honours program), students complete 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0, and a program (major, joint major, extended minor, minor) CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit. |
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---|---|---|---|
Requirement | Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing | 6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative | 6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth | 18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 units as upper division work.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.
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