Certificate of Achievement in Music Theory and Composition
2025-2026 Map
Total Units: 18
Term 1
4 Units. Specified core courses are signified by icon.| Course Name | Units | Notes | |
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| MUS 80: Theory & Musicianship I | 4.00 | ||
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Unit(s): 4.00
A comprehensive study of diatonic harmony and musicianship, including principles of voice leading in four-part texture, harmonic analysis, melody harmonization, non-chord tones, and basic forms (strophic, binary, ternary). Musicianship component develops skills in sight singing and dictation, including rhythmic exercises, interval recognition, melodic reading and dictation in major and minor scales, and basic harmonic dictation. (C-ID MUS 120/MUS 125). |
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Term 2
7 Units. Specified core courses are signified by icon.| Course Name | Units | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS 82: Theory & Musicianship II | 4.00 | ||
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Prerequisite(s): MUS 80 This course incorporates and further develops the concepts from Theory & Musicianship I and introduces chromatic harmony. Topics include seventh chords and their inversions, secondary chords, modulation techniques, and musical forms (theme and variations, rondo, sonata). Musicianship component develops advanced skills in sight singing and dictation, including compound rhythms, alto and tenor clefs, compound melodies, and harmonic dictation using diatonic triads and seventh chords. (C-ID MUS 130/MUS 135). |
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| MUS 87: Music Composition | 3.00 | Prerequisite: MUS 3 | |
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Prerequisite(s): MUS 3 This course is an introduction to original musical composition for solo and chamber music as well as music in multimedia. Through the analysis of applicable musical literature, this course explores instrumentation, orchestration, form and structure, timbre, pitch, rhythm, texture, interculturalism, and contemporary music notation. The course includes an introduction to music in multimedia, including music for film and video games. Students will be expected to compose original compositions, produce performances, and create a portfolio of their work. |
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Term 3
7 Units. Specified core courses are signified by icon.| Course Name | Units | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS 84: Theory & Musicianship III | 4.00 | ||
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Prerequisite(s): MUS 82 This course incorporates and further develops the concepts from Theory & Musicianship II and explores advanced chromatic harmony. Topics include borrowed chords, Neapolitan chord, augmented sixth chords, altered chords, chromatic modulation techniques, and an introduction to post-tonal music. Musicianship component develops advanced skills in sight singing and dictation, including decorative chromaticism, altered chords, modulation to closely related keys, and irregular meters. (C-ID MUS 140/MUS 145). |
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| MUS 89: Jazz Composition and Arranging | 3.00 | ||
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Prerequisite(s): MUS 3 This course delves into the realm of jazz theory and explores diverse jazz styles from a practical perspective. Through the studies of jazz harmony and melody construction in improvisation, students learn how to arrange and compose for jazz ensembles. Covered topics include historical awareness of the subject, terminology, chord symbols, clear lead sheet notation, transpositions, and scales, rhythms, and harmonies commonly used in jazz and popular music. |
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