Course content
Year 1 - Level C
Creative Technology Fundamentals
The unit has two principal aims, namely to provide the generic scientific knowledge and skills required by graduates working in the creative technology industries and secondly to provide understanding and practical skill in interfacing and configuring creative technology hardware.
Software Programming
You will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of programming principles and practices involved in the planning, designing and implementing of computer programs for audio and media applications.
Change and Opportunity
You will become aware of the particular issues affecting market and client led design in the development of multimedia products and services. You will also develop professionally and interpersonally in preparation for the placement search and for the challenges of working in a rapidly changing technical industry.
Synthesis & Effects
In order to be an effective sound designer, it is vital to understand the fundamental building blocks of sound and how these can be combined to create complex harmonic relationships. This unit aims to provide students' with theoretical understanding sound analysis and practical skills in sound creation. You will also begin building a portfolio of work that will be expanded and contributed to through the entire degree programme.
Studio Techniques 1 (Music & Audio)
You will learn to demonstrate knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles of studio techniques in relation to the creation, recording, and post production of audio media.
Media Device Architecture & Networks
You will learn the basic mechanisms and operation of computer architectures as applied to audio and video media devices. In addition you will learn the fundamentals of networking techniques used in integration of audio and video equipment and delivery of multimedia content across networks.
Year 2 - Level I
MIDI & Sequencing
You will extend your the oretical understanding and practical skills in generating sound and audio using a sequencer and MIDI instruments. You will gain understanding of how MIDI is used in a variety of contexts and its relationship to sequencing musical compositions.
Programming for Music & Audio
You will develop skills in programming for audio and music applications with emphasis on the underlying technical the ory and software. You will specify, develop, test and deploy software that has been created for music and audio applications. You will learn to produce quality applications that run on today’s modern real-world music technology systems.
Signal Processing for Music & Audio
You will learn to critically appraise signal processing techniques with emphasis on the analysis, modification, synthesis and control of audio signals and acquire the ability to critically evaluate the appropriateness of different solutions to specific problems within this field of study .
Studio Techniques 2 (Music & Audio)
You will be able to critically appease various studio practices in relation to the creation, recording and post production of audio and video with emphasis on the current techniques currently employed by the industry.
Innovation and Developing Solutions
You will develop the ability to analyse business situations, identifying potential opportunities for innovative solutions, and you will work in teams on simulated business projects to provide innovative technical solutions to clients.
Group Project
Unit information to follow shortly.
Year 3
Industrial Placement - minimum 40 weeks
Year 4 - Level H
Creative Music & Audio Technology
You will gain knowledge of the key developments both by the industry and research in relation to advanced music creation and audio technology.
Audio Recording Technology
You will learn to manipulate sound using commonly available systems of control including MIDI sequencers, samplers, software sound manipulation tools and hardware based devices. You will also develop the ability to use technologies and systems that communicate between different pieces of software or hardware.
Management Strategies & Entrepreneurship
You will develop appropriate knowledge, skills and attributes toge the r with sensitivity to different cultures and leadership styles to meet the challenges of the technical development environment.
Individual Project
The individual project will give you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired on the course, in a scientific manner to enable the development of multimedia, network and business systems. You will develop strategies allowing you to understand and practice problem solving with regards to research, synthesis, realization and evaluation. You will present project requirements, analysis and design solutions using oral, written and modelling techniques to a professional standard. This challenge will develop and demonstrate your ability to apply and synthesize the knowledge and skills established throughout the course.
