Bachelor of Science in Music Technology
The Bachelor of Science in Music Technology (BSMT) is a four-year degree program instilling students with technical, theoretical, and creative skills required to pursue professional careers in the growing field of music technology. Students enroll in both traditional music studies, (music theory, aural skills, keyboard studies, and applied instrument lessons) as well as our wide-ranging and innovative technology courses of Recording and Production, Creative Music Technology, Digital Signal Processing for Music, and Interface and Instrument Design. The degree culminates with presentation of a capstone project, combining a student's creative, technical, theoretical, and historical knowledge. One hundred and twenty (120) hours of coursework are required with a concentration in an allied field such as computer technology. The degree is designed as a four-year course of study.
The BSMT program covers the following areas of focus:
- Essentials of Music Technology: Concepts include acoustics, psychoacoustics, analog and digital audio, MIDI, and digital notation.
- Recording and Production: Technical competency in industry-standard recording software, techniques, and equipment. Concepts include analog and digital recording, microphone design and placement, studio design and setup, mixing, and mastering.
- Live electronic manipulation and performance: Concepts include hardware and software for live music creation, audio interfaces and live equipment setup, control interfaces for live manipulation of analog and digital instruments, and performance practice.
- Creation and Composition through Music Technology: The use of technology in creating, composing, and making music in both live and studio practices. Concepts include composition and notation software, and the theory and practice of composition with music technology.
- Digital Signal Processing and Synthesis: Software design through the use of a graphic programming environment. Concepts include audio and video digital signal processing, sound synthesis, and interactive and generative media.
- Interface and Instrument Design: The development of new instruments and interfaces using software programming and hardware construction.
Application to the BSMT Program
Students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Music Technology degree must submit both an IU Indianapolis online application and a Music and Arts Technology online application here. If approved to do so via this application process, prospective students will also be required to take an audition/interview and two short online placement exams.
Admission Requirements
- First, acceptance to IU Indianapolis - Apply Here.
- Second, submission of the Department of Music and Arts Technology application - Apply Here.
- Third, if approved, complete a scheduled audition/interview session and two short online placement exams (see Audition Information below).
Upcoming audition dates are available from Music and Arts Technology online application.
General Audition Information
The required audition session allows applicants to demonstrate interests, skills, and experiences in 1) music performance and creativity, 2) contemporary music technologies, 3) other arts-related creative, technological, and/or engineering fields, and 4) comprehension of music theory. Applicants are not required to demonstrate in all of these areas, though the audition committee is seeking applicants likely to excel in a degree balancing music technology course work with music theory and performance/creative skills.
A "primary instrument" declared for degree entry is to be used in the audition for a performance/creativity skill demonstration (i.e. a specific instrumental/voice, or "applied music technology" such as laptop/software, midi controllers, etc.). This choice determines a student's path for individual studio instruction throughout the degree. Regardless of primary instrument, applicants are encouraged to bring computer-based demonstrations to illuminate skills and experiences in areas noted above.
Audition requests will be processed only after submitting your application. If an audition is approved and scheduled, you will receive information on how to take two short online placement exams related to the degree program. These online exams must be completed prior to the audition date. Note that 1) your acceptance into IU Indianapolis as a student and 2) the departmental application must both be completed at least three weeks prior to the date of the requested audition.
For detailed departmental audition information click here
For questions, please contact Ms. Julie Wynn, Academic Advisor, Department of Music and Arts Technology 317-278-3264 julwynn@iupui.edu
Updated: March 2024
