Music Minor Structure
A minor is available to students who desire documented competency in music. An individualized curriculum based on the following guidelines is developed in consultation with a member of the music faculty. Students must complete one academic music lecture course at Cal Poly, such as MU 101 or MU 120, before applying for the minor. Information and application forms for a Music Minor are available in the Music Department Office.
- REQUIRED COURSES: 15
- Select one 4-unit course from:
- MU 101 Introduction to Music Theory (C3)
- MU 103 Music Theory I: Diatonic Materials
- Select three units from:
- MU 104 Musicianship I (2)
- MU 106 Musicianship II (2)
- MU 108 Musicianship III (2)
- Any class piano, class voice, class guitar;
instrumental and vocal ensemble (i unit each)
- Select from one of the following courses:
- MU 103 Music Theory I: Diatonic Materials
(no credit if taken above as theory requirement) - MU 105 Music Theory II: Chromatic Materials
- MU 114 Introduction to Composing
- MU 121 Introduction to Non-Western Musics
- MU 221 Jazz Styles (C3) (USCP)
- MU 229 Music of the 60s: War and Peace (C3), (USCP)
- MU 103 Music Theory I: Diatonic Materials
- MU 120 Music Appreciation (C3) 4
- Select one 4-unit course from:
- UPPER DIVISION ELECTIVES: 15 [Chosen from 300–400 level Music courses (or in some cases, specific courses offered by other departments); see NOTE below. A maximum of 3 units can be in upper-division performing ensembles. The following are provided as examples only]
- Sound Design Emphasis (select 15 units from the following):
- MU 311 Sound Design: Technologies 4
- MU 312 Sound Design: Recording 4
- MU 411 Sound Design: Synthesis 4
- MU 412 Sound Design: Composition & Perf. 4
- MU 400 Special Problems* 1-2
- Music Criticism Emphasis (select 15 units from the following):
- MU 320 Music Research & Writing (4)
- MU 331 Music of Middle Ages–Renaissance (4)
- MU 431 Music of the Classic and Romantic Eras (4)
- MU 432 Music of the Modern Era (4)
- MU 324 Music & Society (4)
- MU 328 Women in Music (4)
- MU 400 Special Problems* (1-2)
- Performing Emphasis (select 15 units from the following):
- MU 324 Music & Society (4)
- MU 325 America’s Music (4)
- MU 326 Cultural Concepts & Structures in Music (4)
- MU 336 Jazz History & Theory (4)
- MU 300-level ensembles (1-3)
- MU 400 Special Problems* (1-2)
- Composition Emphasis (select 15 units from the following):
- MU 301 Counterpoint (4)
- MU 303 Music Theory III (4)
- MU 305 Music Theory IV (4)
- MU 351 Jazz & Popular Music Arranging (2)
- MU 352 Orchestration (4)
- MU 400 Special Problems* (1-2)
- Sound Design Emphasis (select 15 units from the following):
- *NOTE: Each applicant for the Music Minor is expected to demonstrate his/her musical competency by way of a recital, original composition, concert review project, recording project, or other means as approved by the Music faculty. Credit given through a MU 400 course.