Masters degree in Music Technology

[Meloday]

Hey all,

I've been accepted into the Music Technology/Sonic Arts Masters program at Bath Spa University, London Metropolitan and Queen's University Belfast.

I haven't decided which one I'll be attending. I'm trying to get some outside opinions about these universities in general (or specific). The only people I've talked to are the representitives for each of the universities and, of course, they have nothing but good things to say about themselves!

Anyone know about these schools/programs....reputations?

Thanks for your help

Jared

[tee boy]

Actually, I hope to continue my studies at York new year. It seems like a cool place, but Im also considering Bath.

Can I ask, what is your level of experience? Im a little unsure what 'level' is required for MSc. I mean, at York one of the first semester classes involves design a digital instrument (software, hardware and interface )! I can program a little in Csound and Max, but I think digital hardware engineering is a little beyond me at present.

Am i over estimating the difficulty of these courses a little? Or are they really that hardcore?

[Meloday]

anyone? aka bump

[quincy]

I can't comment on the courses, but I grew up around bath and went to college there, and its a lovely city to live in/around. Beautiful architecture, great city centre with loads of nice shops, pubs, places to eat etc, nice parks to sit in during the summer etc. Also near to Bristol which has a great music scene and a good nightlife.

Hope that helps a bit.

[Meloday]

Actually, I hope to continue my studies at York new year. It seems like a cool place, but Im also considering Bath.

Can I ask, what is your level of experience? Im a little unsure what 'level' is required for MSc.

I mean, at York one of the first semester classes involves design a digital instrument (software, hardware and interface )! I can program a little in Csound and Max, but I think digital hardware engineering is a little beyond me at present. Am i over estimating the difficulty of these courses a little? Or are they really that hardcore?

My level of experience, if we're talking programming, is very little. This is one reason why the Bath program is so attractive.....half of the program is music composition based/collabortion with film and media dept., the other half is programming. And, by the way, all of the schools that I'm considering are MA programs, not MSc programs. I would assume that MSc programs are inherantly more technical/programming/math based.

Am i over estimating the difficulty of these courses a little? Or are they really that hardcore?
I actually proposed the same question to the head of the department at Queen's University Belfast, as their program (MA Sonic Arts) is the most math/programming intensive of the three. Here is his response:

"About the Physics-Based Module I teach: you do not need a great understanding of Physics, although it would off course help! What you do need though is basic mathematical skills: that is, you should know about complex numbers, and have a basic understanding of differential
equations. Without that, my module is extremely hard to follow. Having said that, I had two students like that this year, and they still seem
able to get through the excercises, which are made in such a way (on purpose) that students with no engineering background are still able to pass, although I have doubts they really learn that much in the end, but that's simply a disadvantage of multi-disciplinary course that also has
many advantages.

In practice, it turns out that most students have a gap in experience in one or more subjects in the course, an this is usually not a problem.
The only real problem casses are when students do not have sufficient level of background and reference in the field in all subjects; only in
that case my advice is not to apply. We did have two students like that this year who left the course fairly quickly."

So, I would imagine the situation to be fairly similar at York. Hope this helps!

Let me know if you decide to go to Bath!!!

Also, thanks Quincy, for the feedback

Jared

[tee boy]

It does indeed, thanks!

I'll (obviously) be speaking to the various institutions when the time is right anyway, but i always like to be prepared (cub scouts training i guess ).

btw, Doesnt Trevor Wishart work at Bath? If so, then that would a great place to go if you're into sound design and programming. From what i hear he like a sound synthesis guru.