Bachelor of Science in Music,Media & PerformanceTechnology

General Information

The BSc in Music,Media & PerformanceTechnology will offer students with an interest in, and knowledge of music performance composition or editing, the opportunity to develop the technical and creative skills required to be successful media practitioners in both the music and media industries. It involves both small group and individual tuition to develop digital instrumental and media skills, as well as seminar, class and laboratory-based learning.The course emphasises the principles and application of digital media practice.

The aim of the programme is to equip students with degree level competence in music,media and performance technologies who, on graduation,will be capable of making a significant contribution to the continuing development and growth of the DigitalArts, the Music Technology and Media industries and more broadly across other sectors that use digital media technologies.

Facilities include professional grade digital recording studios,with a composition suite and post production facility based around industry standard hard disk recording systems (ProTools and Logic Pro) and includes dedicated facilities for surround sound mixing and mastering. In addition to professional grade video recorders and editing equipment, a new dedicated digital media laboratory provides state of the art software and hardware for both audio and video applications.

The specific objectives of the programme are:
(i) To provide students with understanding and expertise in music and video digital media technologies.
(ii) To provide students with the understanding and skills for the creative use of music and video digital media.
(iii) To give students the expertise needed for them to take an active role in the diverse field of digital media.
(iv) To support students in developing a critical and independent approach to problem solving to help them reach their full potential throughout their careers.
(v) To develop the student's capacity to learn by his/her own resources.The course is one of a pair of sister courses - the other being the BSc in Digital Media Design.These two courses offer different yet related perspectives and training in digital media,while sharing modules and approaches.The BSc in Music,Media & PerformanceTechnology is focussed on the technical principles and theory of digital media and their creative use in video,music and performance.

Course Structure

The degree comprises complementary threads of study and learning.

• The creative implementations of digital media.
• The development of digital instrumental and real time digital performance skills.
• Individual and small group practice is based around active practitioners; e.g.musicians, composers, video artists, video producers and directors.
• Mathematical and technical aspects of electronic media, how people perceive multimedia sound and image.
• The theory, principles and application of digital audio and video and the issues arising from these principles in practice.
• Student-driven development of projects in directed study through electives agreed with the course board, e.g. ethnomusicology and musicology.

For further details, log on to www.csis.ul.ie

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with at least Grade C3 in two Higher Level subjects and Grade D3 in four Ordinary or Higher Level subjects (including Mathematics; Irish or another language; and English).

In addition, applicants will be required to hold at least the following in the Leaving Certificate or an approved equivalent: Grade B3 in Ordinary Level or D3 in Higher Level Mathematics.

Applicants are advised that this course requires a knowledge of music.While no specific requirements are set, a student who has taken Music as a Leaving Certificate subject, or has played an instrument, or has already used digital technology to record, edit, or mix music would benefit from this course. It would not be advisable for students without such a background to apply for this course.

A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement.

Career Prospects

The programme prepares students for careers in Audio and Video Technology and Arts. Students are allowed to develop their knowledge within an academic setting where experimentation and creativity are encouraged. Graduates will be equipped to create and develop interactive music and multimedia projects.They will have acquired a sophisticated understanding of the aesthetic and technical issues involved.The unique feature of this course is that it focuses on training a new type of interdisciplinary graduate who combines technological competence with artistic and creative endeavour.There is an increasing need for graduates with the openness to cross technical and artistic boundaries and develop the use of computer technology in a range of industries and services such as recording, general media, broadcasting and education.

Specific Careers:

• Music Performance
• Recording Engineer
• Composer
• Radio and Television Broadcasting
• Sound and Audio Engineer
• Video Engineer
• Video Artist
• Musical Production
• Music Education
• Video Editing and Production
• Media, Music,Audio and Video Research