School of Music

Composition, Theory and Technology

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Theory and Composition

Curriculum prior to Summer 2015
​​Curriculum for Catalog Year Summer 2015 and later

Curriculum for Catalog Year Summer 2021 and later

Bachelor of Music (BM)

Contact the Undergraduate Advisor

Composition

Curriculum prior to Summer 2015
Curriculum for catalog year Summer 2015 and later

Curriculum for catalog year Summer 2021 and later

Theory

Curriculum prior to Summer 2015
Curriculum for catalog year Summer 2015 and later

Curriculum for catalog year Summer 2021 and later

Performance - Instrumental

Curriculum prior to Summer 2015
​Curriculum for catalog year Summer 2015 and later

Curriculum for catalog year Summer 2021 and later

Combination with Outside Field

This curriculum is designed for students who desire a Bachelor of Music degree, but who also wish to venture into other areas of study and earn a second bachelor’s degree. A number of programs in the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Business Administration; Design, Construction and Planning; Education; Engineering; Health and Human Performance; Public Health and Health Professions; Journalism and Communications; Liberal Arts and Sciences; and the School of Natural Resources and Environment, are available to the students to select from. The goal of this degree track is to able to student to complete all course work for both major in 4 years (with the exception of 5 year Engineering degrees).

Students who are interested in double majoring in music and another field will start with their required course work for music (also known as "tracking requirements") and gradually integrate the 2nd major tracking courses into their schedules during the first 4 semesters. Students often times can "double dip", taking not only the 2nd major required course work but also the general education courses. 

​This track is also ideal for students who are interested in pre-health related professions (pre-med, pre-vet, pre-OT, etc.) and pre-law.

​Students can also pursue a combined degree, a bachelors degree along with a master's degree, typically completed within four years. Most popular options include Master of Science in Management and Master of Science in Entrepreneurship offered by the Hough Graduate School of Business.

Curriculum prior to Summer 2015​
Curriculum for catalog year Summer 2015 and later
Curriculum for catalog year Summer 2021 and later

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Composition
major area (36-42 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUC 6444 Composition of Electronic Music
3
MUC 6930 Graduate Composition
6
MUC 7931 Advanced Graduate Composition*
12-18
MUC/MUT 6000/7000**
15-18

*Students will enroll in private composition study (MUC 6930/7931) every semester prior to dissertation.

**Students with an electroacoustic focus, or mixed acoustic/electroacoustic curriculum, take the sequence MUC 6445, MUC 6446, followed by MUC 7447 and/or MUC 7938

cognate (12-14 credits)
Courses
Credits
Interdisciplinary Cognate* or Performance Cognate**
12-21
MVO 6460/7460 Music Performance Or MUG 6105/7106 Graduate/Advanced Conducting
6
MUS 7905 Projects and Problems in Music Performance
3
MUN 6010 Graduate Ensembles
3-5

*Interdisciplinary Cognate consists of either 12-21 credits outside of music, with a maximum of 6 credits of upper-division (3000/4000 level) undergraduate coursework, or a combination of courses from music and external departments totaling 12-21 GRADUATE credits.

**Student must audition and be accepted into performance or conducting studio at graduate performance level.

supportive class (24-30 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUE 6385 Music in Higher Education
3
MUS 6416 Methods of Research and Bibliography
3
MUS 6940 Supervised Teaching
3
MUT 6629 Analytical Techniques
3
MUT 6751 Pedagogy of Music Theory
3
MUH/MUL 6000/7000
6
Approved Elective (MUE, MUH, MUL, MUS, MUT, Performance or Conducting)
0-9
dissertation (15 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUS 7980 Research for Doctoral Dissertation
15
Master of Music (MM)

The Master of Music degree includes core courses in music as well as courses in the area of specialization. A secondary concentration may be added and will require additional coursework.

Secondary concentrations are listed below. Interested students will need to declare their desire to add a second concentration, apply for the program and complete the necessary paperwork in order to officially add a second concentration. Admission to a second concentration will be determined by the faculty in that area. No more than one concentration beyond the major specialization may be attempted. One member of the supervisory committee must represent the secondary concentration. Unless indicated otherwise, courses required for the second concentration may not also fulfill specific degree requirements in the area of primary specialization. However, courses in the second concentration may, at the discretion of the student’s supervisory committee, be used to fulfill approved elective credit in the primary degree area.

MM Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Helton, jhelton@ufl.edu

Composition
degree requirements (32 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUS 6716 Research and Bibliography
3
MUC 6444 Composition of Electronic Music or other approved MUT 6000/7000 course
3
MUT 6629 Analytical Techniques
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000
3
MUT 6000/7000
3
MUC 6930 Graduate Composition*
3
MUS 6973** Individual Project
3-6
Approved Music Electives (6000/7000)
6-9

*Students must enroll in composition studio every semester prior to thesis.

**Graduate original composition in lieu of written thesis.

Secondary Concentration
Choral Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Electronic Music (Secondary Concentration) (12 credits)
Courses
Credits

Four courses, 12 credits, from the following

MUC 5315 Introduction to Electroacoustic Music
3
MUC 6444 Composition of Electroacoustic Music
3
MUC 6445 Electroacoustic Music Composition: Digital I*
3
MUC 6446 Electroacoustic Music Composition: Digital II*
3
MUC 7447 Advanced Seminar in Electroacoustic Music*
3
MUC 7938 Seminar in Digital Sound Processing, Control, and Composition*
3

*Indicates the required sequence for Music Composition majors.

Secondary Concentration
Ethnomusicology (11 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5505 Introduction to Ethnomusicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
6
MUN 6496 World Music Ensemble
2

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Instrumental Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Jazz Studies (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6177 Graduate Jazz Theory
3
MUC 6625 Jazz Composition and Arranging
3
MVO 6460 Performance Principle (Jazz Studio)
3
MUS 6973 Individual Project or Recital
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Education (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUE 6785 Research in Music Education
3
MUE 6080 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Music Education
3
MUS 6685 Psychology of Music
3
MUE 6931 Instructional Design in Music Education
3

(any 3 of the 4 classes may be taken to complete the 2nd concentration)

Secondary Concentration
Music History and Literature (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5684 Introduction to Historical Musicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
9

MUS 6716 Research Methods is a prerequisite for entrance into the concentration. Reading and/or speaking knowledge of an appropriate foreign language is strongly recommended. Also fulfills MUH/MUL course requirements in the first concentration.

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Music Performance (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVO 6460 Performance
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Theory (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6751 Pedagogy of Music Theory
3
MUT 6936 Music Theory Seminar
3
MUT6000/7000 elective*
3

*in addition to MUT 3 Credit requirements in the first concentration

Secondary Concentration
Piano Pedagogy (Secondary Concentration) (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVK 6651 Piano Pedagogy
3
MVK 6661 Advanced Piano Pedagogy
3
MUS 6940 Supervised Teaching
3
Secondary Concentration
Sacred Music (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6531 or 6445 Figured Bass and Continuo or Advanced Counterpoint
3
MUR 6206 Survey of Hymnody
3
MUR 6705 Sacred Music Literature
3
Electronic Music (Secondary Concentration)

Current students may speak with the composition area about adding this as a secondary concentration to their master's program of study.

Secondary Concentration
Choral Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Composition (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUC 6930 Graduate Composition
6
MUC 5000/6000/7000 Elective
3
Secondary Concentration
Ethnomusicology (11 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5505 Introduction to Ethnomusicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
6
MUN 6496 World Music Ensemble
2

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Instrumental Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Jazz Studies (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6177 Graduate Jazz Theory
3
MUC 6625 Jazz Composition and Arranging
3
MVO 6460 Performance Principle (Jazz Studio)
3
MUS 6973 Individual Project or Recital
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Education (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUE 6785 Research in Music Education
3
MUE 6080 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Music Education
3
MUS 6685 Psychology of Music
3
MUE 6931 Instructional Design in Music Education
3

(any 3 of the 4 classes may be taken to complete the 2nd concentration)

Secondary Concentration
Music History and Literature (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5684 Introduction to Historical Musicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
9

MUS 6716 Research Methods is a prerequisite for entrance into the concentration. Reading and/or speaking knowledge of an appropriate foreign language is strongly recommended. Also fulfills MUH/MUL course requirements in the first concentration.

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Music Performance (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVO 6460 Performance
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Theory (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6751 Pedagogy of Music Theory
3
MUT 6936 Music Theory Seminar
3
MUT6000/7000 elective*
3

*in addition to MUT 3 Credit requirements in the first concentration

Secondary Concentration
Piano Pedagogy (Secondary Concentration) (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVK 6651 Piano Pedagogy
3
MVK 6661 Advanced Piano Pedagogy
3
MUS 6940 Supervised Teaching
3
Secondary Concentration
Sacred Music (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6531 or 6445 Figured Bass and Continuo or Advanced Counterpoint
3
MUR 6206 Survey of Hymnody
3
MUR 6705 Sacred Music Literature
3
Music Theory
degree requirements (32 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUS 6716 Research and Bibliography
3
MUT 6936 Music Theory Seminar
3
MUT 6629 Analytical Techniques
3
MUT 6751 Pedagogy of Music Theory
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000
6
MUT 6000/7000
6
MUS 6971* Research for Master’s Thesis
3-6
Approved Music Electives (6000/7000)
3-6

*Graduate written thesis is required.

Secondary Concentration
Choral Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Composition (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUC 6930 Graduate Composition
6
MUC 5000/6000/7000 Elective
3
Secondary Concentration
Electronic Music (Secondary Concentration) (12 credits)
Courses
Credits

Four courses, 12 credits, from the following

MUC 5315 Introduction to Electroacoustic Music
3
MUC 6444 Composition of Electroacoustic Music
3
MUC 6445 Electroacoustic Music Composition: Digital I*
3
MUC 6446 Electroacoustic Music Composition: Digital II*
3
MUC 7447 Advanced Seminar in Electroacoustic Music*
3
MUC 7938 Seminar in Digital Sound Processing, Control, and Composition*
3

*Indicates the required sequence for Music Composition majors.

Secondary Concentration
Ethnomusicology (11 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5505 Introduction to Ethnomusicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
6
MUN 6496 World Music Ensemble
2

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Instrumental Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Jazz Studies (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6177 Graduate Jazz Theory
3
MUC 6625 Jazz Composition and Arranging
3
MVO 6460 Performance Principle (Jazz Studio)
3
MUS 6973 Individual Project or Recital
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Education (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUE 6785 Research in Music Education
3
MUE 6080 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Music Education
3
MUS 6685 Psychology of Music
3
MUE 6931 Instructional Design in Music Education
3

(any 3 of the 4 classes may be taken to complete the 2nd concentration)

Secondary Concentration
Music History and Literature (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5684 Introduction to Historical Musicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
9

MUS 6716 Research Methods is a prerequisite for entrance into the concentration. Reading and/or speaking knowledge of an appropriate foreign language is strongly recommended. Also fulfills MUH/MUL course requirements in the first concentration.

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Music Performance (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVO 6460 Performance
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
Secondary Concentration
Piano Pedagogy (Secondary Concentration) (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVK 6651 Piano Pedagogy
3
MVK 6661 Advanced Piano Pedagogy
3
MUS 6940 Supervised Teaching
3
Secondary Concentration
Sacred Music (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6531 or 6445 Figured Bass and Continuo or Advanced Counterpoint
3
MUR 6206 Survey of Hymnody
3
MUR 6705 Sacred Music Literature
3
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
Composition

The Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Florida is uniquely designed to prepare highly qualified, elite musicians for both higher education and artistic job markets. This degree is distinguished by the requirement of a cognate (to be determined by the end of the first year) in a discipline outside of Music, such as Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Management, Arts in Medicine, Digital Media, or other areas suitable for interdisciplinary partnership.  Capstone experiences for the degree will include solo and chamber recitals, lecture recitals, and a doctoral project assimilating applied music and cognate disciplines.

major area (51 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUC 6930 Graduate Composition
6
MUC 6444 Composition of Electronic Music or other approved MUT 6xxx/7xxx course
3
MUS 6940 Supervised Teaching
3
MUC 7931 Advanced Graduate Composition
12
MUC/MUT 6xxx/7xxx
3
MUT 6629 Analytical Techniques
3
MUT 6xxx/7xxx
9
MUT 6751 Pedagogy of Music Theory
3
MUS 7xxx Doctoral Project
6
MUS 7xxx Individual Project (Recital)
3
supportive class (18 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUS 6716 Methods of Musical Research and Bibliography
3
MUS 6xxx/7xxx
6
MUH/MUL 5/6/7xxx
3
MUH 6xxx/7xxx
3
MUE 6385 Music in Higher Education
3
(6 credits)
Courses
Credits
Approved Elective Courses
6
degree requirements (15 credits)
Courses
Credits
Approved Cognate Courses
15

Comprehensive Exams

Final Exams

Minor in Music Performance (Minor)

The Minor in Music Performance (Instrumental or Voice) assumes the student has had a substantial amount of pervious music study. A Theory Placement Test is required to determine the appropriate level of Theory the student should be taking.  This Minor also requires an audition so that the student can be placed in a studio, and includes the following courses:

  • MUT 1121, Music Theory 1 (or MUT 1122), Music Theory 2, MUT 2126 Music Theory 3, or MUT 2127 Music Theory 4, depending on where the student begins after taking the THEORY PLACEMENT EXAM)
  • MUL 2010, or MUL 3012, Masterpieces of Music
  • MUN**** ENSEMBLE (Three Semesters of Ensemble Participation)
  • APPLIED MUSIC-2000 LEVEL (Two Semesters) & 3000 LEVEL (One Semester)
  • and appropriate INSTRUMENT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS listed below:

All Instruments Except Woodwinds choose one from the following for a total of three credits:

  • MUL 3xxx or MUL 4xxxx Music Literature Elective

Woodwind Instruments choose an additional three credits from the following choices or combination of choices: 

  • Applied Music (lessons): MV_32_ (Each semester of applied lessons is three credits)
  • Instrumental Ensembles: MUN 3123, 3133, 3143, 3213 (Each ensemble is one credit per semester)
  • Chamber Music: MUN 3460 (Each chamber music ensemble is one credit per semester)
  • Music History and Literature: MUH 3xxx, MUH 4xxx, MUL 33xx, MUL 43xx, MUL 48xx (Three credits per course)
  • Music Theory MUT 3xxx, MUT 4xxx (Three credits per course)

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 19

Only THIRTEEN HOURS below the 3000 Level will count toward this minor. Applied music below the 2000 level may not be used. 

REGULATIONS

  • ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE THE THEORY PLACEMENT EXAM BEFORE BEGINNING THEIR MINOR.
  • A TOTAL OF 12 OF THE HOURS MUST BE COMPLETED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.
  • ALL COURSES MUST BE COMPLETED WITH A "C" OR BETTER (NO S/U).
  • COURSES WITH A 4905 NUMBER WILL NOT APPLY TO THE MINORS IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE.
  • THE STUDENT MUST SEE THE UNDERGRADUATE ADVISOR IN THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC BEFORE ENROLLING FOR COURSEWORK.

THE STUDENT MUST FILL OUT THE "APPLICATION FOR MINOR" WITH THE REGISTRAR AFTER BEING ACCEPTED INTO HIS OR HER COLLEGE

Minor in History/Ethnomusicology (Minor)

The Minor in Music History/Ethnomusicology is designed to give flexibility for students pursuing music as a secondary field while accommodating a broad range of interests. It exposes students to music within a variety of cultures of the world throughout time. Students will learn musical repertoires through listening and discussion and will learn the significance and meaning of music, as well as its function in society. Students may choose to specialize in one of two tracks for this minor: Music History or Ethnomusicology. The theory prerequisites ensure that students will have the vocabulary and understanding of basic musical structures to participate successfully in MUH courses.

REQUIRED

• Two sequential theory courses, to be determined by Music Theory Placement Exam 
• MUH 2501 Introduction to World Musics

ELECTIVES

MUH/MUL 3/4000 Level (9)*

Select from:

• MUH 3530 Popular and Traditional Music of  Africa                      
• MUH 3541 Latin American Music
• MUL 3693 The American Musical 
• MUH 4016 History of Jazz 
• MUH 4930 Special Topics in Music History (as available) 

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 18

A maximum of nine hours below the 3000 level will count toward this minor.

*Elective course offering will vary by year and semester. New courses may be added.

REGULATIONS

  • ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE THE THEORY PLACEMENT EXAM BEFORE BEGINNING THEIR MINOR.
  • A TOTAL OF 12 OF THE HOURS MUST BE COMPLETED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.
  • ALL COURSES MUST BE COMPLETED WITH A "C" OR BETTER (NO S/U).
  • COURSES WITH A 4905 NUMBER WILL NOT APPLY TO THE MINORS IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE.
  • THE STUDENT MUST SEE THE UNDERGRADUATE ADVISOR IN THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC BEFORE ENROLLING FOR COURSEWORK.

THE STUDENT MUST FILL OUT THE "APPLICATION FOR MINOR" WITH THE REGISTRAR AFTER BEING ACCEPTED INTO HIS OR HER COLLEGE

Minor in Music Theory (Minor)

The Minor in Music Theory is designed to meet the needs of students interested in theory alone. The Theory Placement Exam is required for appropriate placement into the music theory sequence, which is conducted through Canvas. Curent UF students should contact the Undergraduate Student Services Office (music@arts.ufl.edu) to be added to the Canvas course. This minor does not require an audition, but a background in music is desirable. Participation in one or more School of Music ensembles is recommended, in addition to listed courses.

Students should have minimum of 6 semesters remaining prior to graduation order to complete this minor.  The coursework includes:

MUT 1111 Music Theory 1/MUT 1241L Aural Skills 1*
MUT 1112 Music Theory 2/MUT1242L Aural Skills 2*
MUT 2116 Music Theory 3/MUT 2246L Aural Skills 3 
MUT 2117 Music Theory 4/MUT 2247L Aural Skills 4

  • *Credit requirement for Theory 1 and/or 2 is waived for students who place into Theory 3 or 4, respectively.  

    9 hours of elective at the 3000/4000 level.

    Select from:
    MUT 3321 Arranging for Voices and Instruments MUT 3611 Form and Analysis 1
    MUT 3612 Form and Analysis 2 
    MUT 4401 Counterpoint 1 
    MUT 4402 Counterpoint 2 

    TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 18-21 (Depending on the results of the Music Theory Placement Exam)
     

    REGULATIONS

    ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE THE THEORY PLACEMENT EXAM BEFORE BEGINNING THEIR MINOR.
  • A TOTAL OF 12 OF THE HOURS MUST BE COMPLETED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.
  • ALL COURSES MUST BE COMPLETED WITH A "C" OR BETTER (NO S/U).
  • COURSES WITH A 4905 NUMBER WILL NOT APPLY TO THE MINORS IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE.
  • THE STUDENT MUST SEE THE UNDERGRADUATE ADVISOR IN THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC BEFORE ENROLLING FOR COURSEWORK.

  • THE STUDENT MUST FILL OUT THE "APPLICATION FOR MINOR" WITH THE REGISTRAR AFTER BEING ACCEPTED INTO HIS OR HER COLLEGE

Music Performance (Certificate)
Music In Medicine (Certificate)

Connect with the School of Music

Keep up with the latest news about faculty, alumni, friends and current students.