{ "college": "uc-irvine", "edition": "2026-2027", "departmentName": "Department of Music", "id": "department-of-music--music-ba", "name": "Music", "award": "B.A.", "department": "department-of-music", "sourceUrl": "https://catalogue.uci.edu/clairetrevorschoolofthearts/departmentofmusic/music_ba/", "blocks": [ { "kind": "text", "markdown": "The **Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)** degree program provides students with a broad foundation in music studies, and its flexibility is especially well-suited for students who wish to pursue a second major, study abroad, or other curricular options.\n\nAll B.A. students complete courses in theory, history, musicianship, keyboard skills, performance, composition/improvisation, and technology. In addition, B.A. students complete course requirements and a B.A. project in an area of emphasis, choosing from two options; 1) History and Theory of Music; or 2) Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology. Through upper-division emphasis courses, which are often major-restricted with small enrollments, and through designing their original capstone B.A. project, students have opportunities to develop their individual research and creative interests while working closely with faculty." }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "### Requirements\n\n##### All students must meet University Requirements.\n\n##### School Requirements: None.\n\nDepartmental Requirements—Common Curriculum for all music majors:" }, { "kind": "courselist", "rows": [ { "type": "comment", "text": "A. Complete:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 15", "title": "Musicianship 1", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 16A & MUSIC 16B & MUSIC 16C", "title": "Music Theoryand Music Theoryand Music Theory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 16D", "title": "Theory/Musicianship", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 39A & MUSIC 39B", "title": "The Classical Tradition Iand The Classical Tradition II", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 51", "title": "Introduction to Music Technology", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "B. Select four units from the following electives in Composition, Improvisation, and Technology:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 32", "title": "Introduction to Jazz Improvisation", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 46", "title": "Music in Multimedia", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 47", "title": "Introductory Topics in Music Technology", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 82A", "title": "MAHUR-Pish Radif: Introduction to Classical Persian Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 82B", "title": "HOMAYUN-Pish Radif: Introduction to Classical Persian Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 82C", "title": "SHUR-Pish Radif: Introduction to Classical Persian Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 136", "title": "Instrumentation", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 147", "title": "Studies in Music Technology", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 150", "title": "Composition", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 151", "title": "Computer Music Composition", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 157", "title": "Advanced Study in Composition", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 181", "title": "Improvisation", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 183A", "title": "Jazz Composition I", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 183B", "title": "Jazz Composition II", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 183C", "title": "Jazz Composition III", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "C. Select 8 units from the following electives in the History and Theory of Music:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 3", "title": "Introduction to Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 4", "title": "Introduction to Opera", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 5", "title": "Popular Music in the United States", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 8", "title": "The Beatles and the Sixties", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 9", "title": "Rock: The Early Years", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 40B", "title": "History of European Music: From the Renaissance through the Baroque", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 40C", "title": "History of European Music: Hasse to Mahler", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 40D", "title": "20th Century Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 41", "title": "Major Composer", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 45", "title": "History of Film Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 48", "title": "Introductory Topics in Music and Culture", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 49", "title": "History of Hip Hop", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 78", "title": "History of Jazz", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 131", "title": "Post-Tonal Theory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 132", "title": "Jazz Theory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "AFAM 143", "title": "Topics in African American Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "AFAM 144", "title": "Topics in Expressive Forms", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 140", "title": "Topics in Medieval Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 141", "title": "Topics in Renaissance Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 142", "title": "Topics in Baroque Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 142W", "title": "Topics in Baroque Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 143", "title": "Topics in Classical Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 143W", "title": "Topics in Classical Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 144", "title": "Topics in Romantic Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 144W", "title": "Topics in Romantic Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 145W", "title": "Topics in 20th Century Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 146", "title": "Studies in Jazz Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 148", "title": "Studies in Ethnomusicology", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 149", "title": "Studies in Music History", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 153", "title": "Counterpoint", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 155", "title": "Analysis", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "D. Select 6 units from the following performance-focused courses and ensembles:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 21A", "title": "Keyboard Skills", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 21B", "title": "Keyboard Skills", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 21C", "title": "Keyboard Skills", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 158A", "title": "Diction", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 158B", "title": "Diction", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 158C", "title": "Diction", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 160", "title": "University Orchestra", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 161", "title": "Wind Ensemble", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 162", "title": "University Chorus", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 164", "title": "Opera Workshop", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 171", "title": "Chamber Singers", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 176", "title": "Chamber Ensembles", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 178", "title": "Jazz Orchestra", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 182", "title": "Advanced Jazz Combo", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 193", "title": "Conducting", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 197", "title": "Word and Music", "indent": false } ] }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "1. MUSIC 15 is a repeatable course students must take starting at the beginning of their major studies. At the end of the course, there is a Musicianship Proficiency Exam, which students must pass within six quarters of entering the major.\n2. Courses may not be used to simultaneously fill both the elective requirements and an emphasis requirement.\n\nAll B.A. students must also complete 24 additional units of required courses and a B.A. Project in one of the following two emphases:\n\n##### Additional Requirements" }, { "kind": "courselist", "title": "Emphasis in History and Theory of Music", "rows": [ { "type": "comment", "text": "A. Select two from the following skills courses (8 units):" }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 131", "title": "Post-Tonal Theory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 132", "title": "Jazz Theory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 136", "title": "Instrumentation", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 147", "title": "Studies in Music Technology", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 150", "title": "Composition", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 151", "title": "Computer Music Composition", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 153", "title": "Counterpoint", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 155", "title": "Analysis", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 157", "title": "Advanced Study in Composition", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 181", "title": "Improvisation", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 183A", "title": "Jazz Composition I", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 183B", "title": "Jazz Composition II", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 183C", "title": "Jazz Composition III", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "B. Select four from the following Music and Culture courses (16 units):" }, { "type": "course", "code": "AFAM 143", "title": "Topics in African American Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "AFAM 144", "title": "Topics in Expressive Forms", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 140", "title": "Topics in Medieval Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 141", "title": "Topics in Renaissance Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 142", "title": "Topics in Baroque Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 143", "title": "Topics in Classical Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 144", "title": "Topics in Romantic Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 145W", "title": "Topics in 20th Century Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 146", "title": "Studies in Jazz Music", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 148", "title": "Studies in Ethnomusicology", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 149", "title": "Studies in Music History", "indent": false } ] }, { "kind": "courselist", "title": "Emphasis in Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology", "rows": [ { "type": "comment", "text": "A. Select one from the following Music Technology courses (4 units):" }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 147", "title": "Studies in Music Technology", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 151", "title": "Computer Music Composition", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "B. Complete:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 150", "title": "Composition", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 181", "title": "Improvisation", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "C. Complete four quarters of the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 186", "title": "Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology Workshop", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "D. Select one from the following (4 units):" }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 131", "title": "Post-Tonal Theory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 132", "title": "Jazz Theory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 136", "title": "Instrumentation", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 147", "title": "Studies in Music Technology", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 151", "title": "Computer Music Composition", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 153", "title": "Counterpoint", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 155", "title": "Analysis", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 157", "title": "Advanced Study in Composition", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 183A", "title": "Jazz Composition I", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 183B", "title": "Jazz Composition II", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MUSIC 183C", "title": "Jazz Composition III", "indent": false } ] }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "##### B.A. Project Requirement\n\nAll B.A. students must complete a B.A. Project focused in their area of emphasis (History and Theory of Music \\[HTM\\] or Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology \\[ICIT\\]). The B.A. Project consists of original creative work that is designed and completed by the student under the supervision of a faculty member. The project may grow out of an emphasis course, such as ICIT Workshop or an upper-division HTM elective seminar.\n\nProposed projects, along with the name of the Senate faculty member who has agreed to supervise it, must be submitted to the Music Department Undergraduate Director by November 1 of the academic year in which graduation is expected. Upon approval of the project proposal, the student may register with the supervising faculty member for MUSIC 199 Independent Study in which to complete the project." }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "### Honors Program\n\n##### Departmental Honors Program in Music and Culture\n\nThe Honors Program in Music and Culture is designed to challenge superior students in the B.A. or B.Mus. program beyond the academic requirements of the Music major. It provides them with the opportunity to advance their knowledge in the scholarly fields of music while developing their writing, analytical, and research skills. The honors program is ideally suited for students who wish to study music at the graduate level, but not in performance, and who may be preparing for graduate work in arts criticism, the humanities, the social sciences, and the law.\n\nEligibility requirements are (1) completion of the core requirements for the major; (2) an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher; and (3) completion of the eligibility form (available for download through the Departmental website).\n\nAdmission to the Honors Program in Music and Culture is competitive. Students must apply no later than the spring quarter of their junior year. The application should be accompanied by two substantial writing samples. These may represent work done for courses at UCI. Only truly exceptional students may undertake Honors projects.\n\nStudents who are admitted to the Honors Program, regardless of whether they are in the B.A. or B.Mus. program, are required to complete three additional courses in categories 1 and 2 under Additional Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree beyond those taken in fulfillment of the core requirement; all three must be upper-division courses (numbered 100 or higher). Relevant upper-division courses in other departments may be taken to fulfill this requirement by approval of the Department Honors Committee.\n\nThe capstone project is a senior thesis, an extended original research project prepared under the supervision of the faculty advisor on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with that advisor. The thesis topic must be approved by the Departmental Honors Committee prior to the end of the fall quarter of the senior year. Students develop their topic during an ensuing two-quarter sequence of Senior Thesis (MUSIC 195A\\-MUSIC 195B). Upon successful completion of the thesis, a single grade is applied for both quarters and 4 units (total) are posted to the student’s record (2 units each for and MUSIC 195B)." } ] }