Undergraduate Theory Core Curriculum Overview
Policies and Procedures	Alphabetum Hebraicum; Graecum; Italicum... Manuscript, 1682 CREDIT

The eight courses that make up our two-year undergraduate music theory core curriculum are listed below. These courses must be taken in sequence, and students must pass the prerequisite course before moving on to the next course.

Written Theory

MUSC 115	Music Theory I. (3) An introduction to the basic elements, materials, and structure of Western tonal music with an emphasis on harmony, voice leading, and counterpoint.
MUSC 116	Music Theory II. (3) (Prereq: MUSC 115) Continuation of MUSC 115.
MUSC 215	Music Theory III. (3) (Prereq: MUSC 116) Continuation of MUSC 116.
MUSC 216	Music Theory IV. (3) (Prereq: MUSC 215) A study of organization in music of the late 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.

Aurals Skills

MUSC 117	Aural Skills I. (1) Development of musical independence, including sightsinging, ear training, rhythmic reading, dictation, and partsinging.
MUSC 118	Aural Skills II. (1) (Prereq: MUSC 117) Continuation of MUSC 117.
MUSC 217	Aural Skills III. (1) (Prereq: MUSC 118) Continuation of MUSC 118.
MUSC 218	Aural Skills IV. (1) (Prereq: MUSC 217) Continuation of MUSC 217.

The normal program of study is:

Written Theory	Course No.	Prerequisite
First year	MUSC 115
	MUSC 116	MUSC 115
Second year	MUSC 215	MUSC 116
	MUSC 216	MUSC 215

Aural Skills	Course No.	Prerequisite
First year	MUSC 117
	MUSC 118	MUSC 117
Second year	MUSC 217	MUSC 118
	MUSC 218	MUSC 217

When These Courses are Offered

Students should be aware that these courses are not offered every semester. The chart below indicates when courses are offered so that students (with the aid of their undergraduate advisor) may plan their schedules accordingly.

Written Theory	Fall	Spring	Summer II
	MUSC 114** MUSC 115	MUSC 116 MUSC 115*	MUSC 116*
	MUSC 215	MUSC 216
Aural Skills	Fall	Spring	Summer II
	MUSC 117	MUSC 118 MUSC 117*	MUSC 118*
	MUSC 217	MUSC 218	MUSC 118*

* Indicates a trailing section. For more information see Trailing Sections below.

Trailing Sections

Trailing sections are offered for all 100-level courses. The following chart indicates what your options are if you do not pass a 100-level course, and wish to stay on track for graduation:

Fall	Spring	Summer II
If you take MUSC 115 in the fall and do not pass…	You may take MUSC 115 in the spring,	and MUSC 116 in the summer.
If you take MUSC 117 in the fall and do not pass…	You may take MUSC 117 in the spring,	and MUSC 118 in the summer.

Please note that trailing sections are not offered for our 200-level courses. A student who does not pass a 200-level course will have to wait an entire year to retake it, potentially causing a delay in graduation.

AP Theory and IB Music Credit

Students who achieve a '4' on the AP Theory Exam may place into MUSC 116/118. Students who achieve a '5' on the exam may place into MUSC 215/217.

The university currently offers credit for the AP Music Theory and IB Music exams. Click here for more information.

Undergraduate Theory Diagnostic Exam

All students entering MUSC 115 must take the Undergraduate Theory Diagnostic Exam (UTDE). This 20-min. exam is used to determine if a student is ready to take MUSC 115. The UTDE is administered in class on the first day of MUSC 115. Students who do not pass the UTDE will be contacted by Director of Undergraduate Studies (via e-mail) shortly after the exam and instructed to drop MUSC 115/117 and take MUSC 114 before they take MUSC 115/117.

MUSC 114 Introduction to Music Theory. (3)
Practice in basic aural and written musical skills. Concepts of rhythm, melody, harmony, form, and expression. Open to nonmusic majors. This course does not count for credit toward the music major or music minor. MUSC 114 is offered every fall term MWF 8:00 a.m.

Click here for more information about the UTDE.

Attendance Policy

As in private lessons and ensemble rehearsals, your attendance in this course is critical.  Much of your grade will depend on your performance in class. The university attendance policy states the following: “Enrollment in a course obligates the student not only for prompt completion of all work assigned but also for punctual and regular attendance and for participation in whatever class discussion may occur. It is the student’s responsibility to keep informed concerning all assignments made. Absences whether excused or unexcused do not absolve him or her from this responsibility. Absence from more than 10 percent of the scheduled classes, whether excused or unexcused, is excessive and the instructor may choose to exact a grade penalty for such absences.”

Attendance will be taken every day by your instructor.
A tardy arrival is recorded as a 1/3 absence for written theory courses and a 1/2 absence for aural skills courses.

New 2009-10
Each additional absence over the 10 percent limit will result in a lowering of your final grade by 2 percentage points for written theory courses and 3 percentage points for aural skills courses.

Homework Policies

All work must be done in pencil (pen is NOT acceptable). All homework should be turned in on time. If late homework is accepted by your instructor (a reasonable excuse is required), it will not be graded. It will simply be recorded in the grade book as completed late. Furthermore, it may be impossible for your instructor to return such assignments in time for you to prepare for tests.

Grading Scale & Grade Descriptions

A	100-93	Grades in the A range represent truly excellent work, showing a high degree of mastery of the subject matter.  This work is error-free (or nearly so), and displays musicality and creativity.  An exceptionally high grade.
B+	92-86	Grades in the B range represent good to strong basic command of the material, with few errors.  A high grade.
B	85-80
C+	79-75	Grades in the C range represent errors that reveal only partial understanding or weak mastery of the material.  A fair grade.
C	74-70
D+	69-65	Grades in the D range represent work that is very weak, showing poor understanding and very little mastery of the material.  A low grade.
D	64-60
F	59 and below	Grades in the F range represent unacceptable work.  A very low grade.
0		A grade of “0” represents work that was not submitted or submitted late.

Passing Grade Requirement for Music Majors and Music Minors

From the undergraduate handbook:

“A minimum grade of ‘C’ is required for any course submitted for fulfillment of major requirements. Consequently, any music course in which a grade of ‘D’ or ‘F’ is recorded must be repeated until a ‘C’ is attained, if it is to count toward degree requirements.

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Updated: January 31, 2010