Curriculum | Courses

Wesley Bulla, Kelly Ford, Doyuen Ko, Ben Poff, Eric Tarr  

Vision:

Graduate study in the Curb College will be recognized for providing challenging academic inquiry with career-oriented and practical learning.

Purpose:

The Master of Science in Audio Engineering is designed to prepare individuals for advanced professional work in sound recording, music production, acoustics, and signal processing and for continued academic study in a doctoral degree program.

Goals:

The primary goal of the MSAE program is to advance students’ academic, creative, and workforce skills. Graduate study in audio engineering gives the student the opportunity to gain and apply new knowledge and skills and to develop advanced academic competencies specifically in the science, art, and practical application of audio engineering as applied to music recording and live music production.

Requirements for Admission - Master of Science in Audio Engineering

The application for admission to the M.S. in Audio Engineering program is available on Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business webpage.

To be considered for admission to the M.S. with a major in Audio Engineering program, the applicant must:

• Submit an application including an essay statement of research and professional interests and desired outcomes for participation in the program.
• Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who are qualified to evaluate the applicant’s potential for successful masters-level graduate work.
• Interview with the Curb College Audio Engineering Graduate Admission Advisory Committee.
• Submit a complete curriculum vitae and/or professional resume.
• Submit official transcripts from all prior regionally accredited college-level work.
• Submit an official GRE score no more than five years old, preferably three years or less.
• Be proficient in the English language.*
• Pay the graduate application fee.

* International applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to take either TOEFL or IELTS.

Curriculum

 Master of Science (M.S.) in Audio Engineering

    Audio Engineering Courses (AET)

AET 5010. Acoustic and Electro-acoustic Measurement and Design (3). This course is an advanced study of sound production and transmission, electro-acoustic measurement techniques, and architectural acoustics. An overview is provided for studio and concert hall design, virtual acoustics, and musical instrument acoustics.

AET 5040. Sound Reinforcement and Concert Mixing (3). A practicum based study of concert sound reinforcement. Students gain hands-on experience with sound reinforcement systems, live mixing execution, monitor equalization, and areas related to the management of a live sound systems in professional concert situations.

AET 5050. Critical Listening for Audio & Music Production (2). Prerequisite: Senior undergraduate status and AET, M.B.A. or M.M. majors only. The study and practice of ear training as it relates to the identification, manipulation, and perception of sound. This course provides a concentrated study utilizing exercises designed to develop specific listening skills in audio and music production.

AET 5060. Sound Design for Mixed Media (3). A study of sound design, including the historical analysis of sound for image, audio post-production process for film and video, aesthetic and technical considerations in sound design, visual and auditory synchronization, and final mix-delivery formats. Practical skills will include field recording, sound library development, and the management of dialog, sound effects, music editing, and final mix preparation.

AET 5230 Auditory Perception and Hearing Science. (3). Prerequisite: Senior undergraduate status and AET, M.B.A. or M.M. graduate majors only. This course is a research-oriented study of auditory perception, psychoacoustics, and hearing science as it relates to audio engineering, sound recording, and music production.

AET 5390 Internship (1-2). A student may gain practical experience in audio engineering by working in a related business. This work/learning arrangement is approved and overseen by supervisory faculty in order to achieve learning objectives; may be repeated for maximum of 2 credit hours.

AET 5410. Digital Audio, Computer Programming, and Signal Analysis (3). A technical study of the use of computers for analyzing digital audio signals. This course provides an overview of sampling theory, signal visualizations, and data analysis.

AET 5420. Audio Signal Processing (3). A study of the implementation and application of audio effects processing. This course provides an overview of transfer functions, impulse responses, convolution, the Fourier Transform, and multi-band processing as used within the design of temporal, spectral, and dynamic effects.

AET 5500. Research Design and Methods (3). An overview of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research including the philosophical underpinnings of inquiry through the application of the scientific method, the research question and objectives, and the collection and analysis of data.

AET 5510. Advanced Concepts in Sonic Blending (2). Through focused listening critiques, students expand their proficiency with sonic theories and principles as applied to contemporary audio production.

AET 5700 Thesis Practicum. (1) Faculty guided independent study leading to the development and writing of a capstone thesis focused on either theoretical or applied research. Taken each semester, students develop and apply academic and practitioner research proficiencies. Repeated for a total of six credit hours, this course culminates in the submission of the thesis document with an oral defense.

AET 5991. Directed Study. (1-3). Individual or group based study or coursework intended to advance the student’s knowledge and skills, to improve an area of weakness, or develop specific areas of interest. Course may be repeated.

AET 6025. Historical Master Recording Techniques (2). A study of the history, influence, and application of recording technology to music production for today's media.　 Through critical listening analysis, combined with an in-depth study of analog and digital recording methods, students will explore and discover recording techniques through the re-creation of historically significant master recordings.

AET 6990. Independent Study (1-3). The option of independent study with an AET graduate instructor is available to　students　who may need additional instruction in audio engineering content not covered by other courses in　the　major. 　Students must complete a Request for Independent Study which will be reviewed by the program chair and approved by the Office of the Dean.