2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
MUSS1520 Introduction to the Sciences of Music
20 creditsClass Size: 111
Module manager: Dr James Mooney
Email: j.r.mooney@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2016/17
Pre-requisite qualifications
Usually A/AS Level Music (or equivalent) but GCSE Music accepted with other relevant qualifications (e.g. A/AS Level Music Technology, Psychology, Mathematics); GCSE Mathematics is normally required.This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module aims to provide students with a foundation in the theory of the science, psychology and technology of music. Lectures will be supplemented by small seminar groups or online tasks. Lectures will incorporate question and answer sessions as appropriate.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be better able to:- Demonstrate a basic understanding of acoustic phenomena
- Describe the physiological and psychological mechanisms involved in their perception
- Relate acoustic and psychoacoustic phenomena to musical experience
- Give examples of empirical and theoretical work in the musical sciences
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the main branches of music psychology
- Evaluate and integrate literature research into a logical textual argument
- Locate and evaluate primary source materials
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the theory of music technology
- Apply this understanding to practical exercises.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of acoustic phenomena
- Describe the physiological and psychological mechanisms involved in their perception
- Relate acoustic and psychoacoustic phenomena to musical experience
- Give examples of empirical and theoretical work in the musical sciences
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the main branches of music psychology
- Evaluate and integrate literature research into a logical textual argument
- Locate and evaluate primary source materials
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the theory of music technology
- Apply this understanding to practical exercises.
Syllabus
Music Technology (indicative syllabus):
sound waves; the harmonic series; spectrograms; basic room acoustics; microphones and analog audio; digital audio; stereo listening and recording; decibels; (virtual) mixing desk; MIDI.
Music psychology:
music perception, the psychology of performance and performers, musical development and the origin of musical ability, music in everyday life, and musical meaning and emotion.
Focussed reading from the set texts, library and online resources will be provided for each topic.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Seminar | 12 | 1.00 | 4.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 6.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 170.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
- 90 hours course reading- 40 hours exam revision / notes
- 40 hours for working through online course materials and assignments.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Question and answer sessions in lectures and seminars, seminars, online resources and question papers, group discussion work.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Portfolio | Portfolio of article reviews: 1500 - 2000 words | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr 00 mins | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 06/05/2016
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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