About our Undergraduate Music Theory Core Curriculum
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The courses in our two-year undergraduate music theory curriculum are offered in a particular sequence. Students are required to take the courses in sequence and must pass the prerequisite course before moving on to the next course. 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

The university also offers credit for the AP Music Theory and IB Music exams. Please visit <http://www.sc.edu/admissions/ibandap.php> for more information.

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** (8 am) MUSC 115	MUSC 116 MUSC 115*	MUSC 116*
	MUSC 215	MUSC 216
Aural Skills
	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.

** MUSC 114 Introduction to Music Theory is a course designed for non-majors that also serves music majors who do not pass the Undergraduate Theory Diagnostic Exam that contains an integrated aural-skills component. It does not count for credit toward major requirements in music degrees.

Trailing Sections

Trailing sections are offered for 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.
 

Homework Policies

All work must be done in pencil (pen is NOT acceptable). Please staple all multi-page assignments. 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.

The Definition of a Passing Grade for Music Majors

The School of Music Handbook for Undergraduate Music Students states:

"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."

This policy has always been in effect, and will be enforced each semester by checking class rolls. Students who have not met the prerequisite for a particular course will be notified via email and subsequently dropped from the roll.

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.

Grading Scale

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.

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Updated: May 1, 2008 by RB