Music and Technology Associate in Arts Degree Program

Program Overview

Music and Technology Associate in Arts Degree Program

Related Degrees & Certificates

• AA Associate in Arts Degree Program
  • Electronic Music | 60 units
  • Music | 60 units
• AA-T Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
  • Music | 60 units
• CA Certificate of Achievement
  • Electronic Music | 21 units
  • Music and Technology | 23 units
• CS Certificate of Specialization
  • Commercial Music | 14 - 15 units

Career Opportunities

• Music producer
• Audio engineer
• Composer for video games and film
• Sound designer for video games and film
• Songwriter
• Audio designer
• Music analyst
• Music publicist
• Music distributor
• Independent performing artist
• DJ
• Artist manager

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

• Compose and produce original music and sound design using various electronic and digital technologies and techniques.
• Use recording, mixing and editing digital audio to produce original creative projects.
• Demonstrate understanding of the control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound as applied to music production.
• Acquire marketable skills to create and compete successfully on a career path of their own design in the music industry.

University Transfer Program

Use Assist to identify lower division major preparation for the California State University and the University of California systems. For independent or out-of-state colleges and universities use their catalogs to locate this information. Transfer Services can assist you to gather this information.

About the Program

The College of San Mateo provides a creative environment where every student may become enriched through an active association with the art of music and a faculty who are active in the music profession. The Music Department at College of San Mateo places strong emphasis upon performance as well as composition in both traditional and electronic media. At the same time, the department offers the general student enhanced understanding and appreciation of all forms of music. Through this two-fold approach, the department’s purpose becomes clear: to promote excellence in all aspects of music performance and academic course work, to provide basic preparation for careers in music, and to promote interest in all music and artistic endeavors at the College and in the Bay Area community.

Career opportunities include accompanist; arranger; composer; conductor; critic; band, orchestra or recording musician; lyricist, performing instrumentalist or vocalist; music director (radio station); private music instructor; music producer; music publisher; music therapist; night-club/restaurant entertainer; recording engineer; and teacher/professor. Additional career possibilities include choir director, music librarian, music minister, piano tuner, professional manager, recreation specialist, and soloist.

Program Overview

This cross-disciplinary program will prepare students to enter the music industry or transfer to a related four-year degree program. Hands-on courses provide training in electronic music composition, sound design, music business and promotion, songwriting, audio recording and engineering, and live performance. The program prepares students in both the creative and technical elements for careers and continued study.

Program Requirements

Required Core Courses: 15 units

• MUS. 100 | Fundamentals of Music | 3 units
• MUS. 280 | History of Electronic Music | 3 units
• MUS. 286 | Music Business | 3 units
• MUS. 290 | Electronic Music I | 3 units
• MUS. 291 | Electronic Music II | 3 units

Required Selective Courses: Choose a minimum of 8 units from the following courses:

• MUS. 120 | Songwriting | 3 units
• MUS. 222 | Live Sound and Streaming | 3 units
• MUS. 289 | Recording for Musical Applications | 3 units
• MUS. 292 | Sound Creation: Sampling and Synthesis | 3 units
• MUS. 293 | Audio for Visual Media | 3 units
• MUS. 298 | New Interfaces for Making Music | 4 units
• MUS. 398 | New Interfaces for Making Music II | 4 units
• MUS. 423 | Small Ensembles | 2 units

Recommended course electives for students with specific interests:

• Songwriting
  • MUS 120: Song Writing (3)
  • MUS 423: Small Ensemble (2)
  • MUS 289: Recording for Musical Applications (3)
  • MUS 222: Live Sound and Streaming (3)
• Electronic Music Performance
  • MUS 423: Small Ensemble - Electronic (2)
  • MUS 298: New Interfaces for Making Music (4)
  • MUS 292: Sound Creation: Sampling and Synthesis (3)
  • MUS 222: Live Sound and Streaming (3)
• Audio Engineering
  • MUS 222: Live Sound and Streaming (3)
  • MUS 289: Recording for Musical Applications (3)
• Audio for Video and Game Design
  • MUS 289: Recording for Musical Applications (3)
  • MUS 292 Sound Creation: Sampling and Synthesis (3)
  • MUS 293 Audio for Visual Media (3)

Total Required Major Units: 23

And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.