Computer Science and Music Combined Program
"I'm hoping to go into a career in recording and music production. This program is a very special and unique part of this school; it has given me many new and useful skills in this field as well as invaluable work experience. Not to mention the faculty and staff are top notch!" - Combined Music and Computer Science Student
The combined degree program in Music and Computer Science is for those who intend to work with both music and technology. The disciplines of Music and Computer Science have a natural affinity. Over the last fifty years, much of the history of music has been a history of attempts to use and adapt new technologies.
Computer technology is integral to live music performance, from sound synthesizers and samplers to 3-dimensional controllers for manipulating sound. Computers are used to create the digital audio used for producing recordings for film and video games and to deliver this music in the form of CDs, DVDs, internet broadcasts and downloadable files.
The combined degree program includes the essential courses for both a Music and Computer Science degree. Music courses include theory and history, as well as acoustics, recording techniques, sound synthesis and manipulation, and computer music. Computer Science courses include programming techniques, algorithms, data structures, operating systems, networks, multimedia systems, digital signal processing and artificial intelligence.
Application Deadline
Enrollment in this program is limited. Students will be admitted to the program at the end of first year. Contact an advisor in either Music or Computer Science early in first year. For more information on the application process, please visit finearts.uvic.ca/music/cscmusic/
Degree
Students in this program work towards a Bachelor's degree of either Fine Arts or Science as a Combined Major in Music and Computer Science.
Unit/Department
Although students are considered to be equally part of both Computer Science and Music, the "home" department for students in this Combined Program will be the School of Music, Faculty of Fine Arts.
Co-op
This program has an optional co-op component. Students in this program are able to access co-op placements from both the the Humanities, Fine Arts, and Professional Writing Co-op office or the Faculty of Engineering.
Optional Co-op program -- coordinated through the Humanities, Fine Arts, and Professional Writing Co-op office or the Faculty of Engineering Co-op office.
Contacts
Advisors (Music): Anne Heinl
Advisors (CSC): Jane Guy
Faculty: Daniel Biro, Christopher Butterfield, John Celona, Peter Driessen, Kirk McNally, Andrew Schloss, George Tzanetakis.
Co-op info: Fine Arts Co-op Engineering Co-op
Calendar / course information.
Music and Computer Science Information
Career Options
Students who can work both with technology and music can be found producing music recordings, creating music for films, video games, and working in other aspects of the entertainment industry. Live performance, sampling, and compression are other areas of interest for students with technology and music skills. Cutting edge work with 3-d sound controllers, and other interdisciplinary research is also possible. Technology and music seem to be an ever-changing combination.
Digital audio is a rapidly growing and complex field. It is an essential component of digital video (films and video games have audio), and can also stand alone (music). In fact, it is growing so rapidly that it is difficult to identify specific career paths; in all likelihood the field will look quite different by the time the first students are graduated from this program. What can safely be said is that jobs will be there. The following list of career areas may give some idea of the scope. It is not suggested that this program will prepare students to move directly into any or all of these, but it should give them a solid foundation.
- Film and television audio
- Audio for video games (e.g. Electronic Arts in Vancouver, revenues of several billion dollars)
- Studio recording
- Internet audio formats: design, delivery, translation, migration
- Audio recording formats: design and delivery
- Music-related software: design and delivery
- Music-related hardware: design and delivery
- Remote, collaborative music events (including remote rehearsal and performance)
- Music pedagogy: web design and delivery
- Design of new (virtual) musical instruments
- Sonic environments
- Sonic recognition