This document is a syllabus for an Introduction to Music Technology course at Passaic County Community College. The syllabus outlines the course details including instructor information, catalog description, prerequisites, learning outcomes, required materials, course content schedule, assignments, grading standards, attendance policy, and college policies. The course will introduce students to music recording through studio hardware, software, analog and digital recording techniques, MIDI, computer applications, synthesizers, and mixing. Students will complete weekly quizzes, projects, and a final recording project.

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Passaic County Community College
Introduction to Music Technology Syllabus
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2016-2017
____________________________________________________________________________________
Course Code: MU115 (All Sections) Course Title: Introduction to Music Technology
Department/Program: Humanities/Music Semester Offered: Fall 2016
Credits: 3 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab/Studio Hours: Suggested 6-9 per week
Clinical/Fieldwork Hours: N/A
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Instructor:
Instructor’s Website:
Office Hours:
Email address:
Music Depart. Webpage:
Professor Jasmine Henry
jasminehenryaudio.com
Friday 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
jhenry@adjuncts.pccc.edu
http://pccc.libguides.com/music
CATALOG DESCRIPTION/COURSE:
This course is an introduction to music recording through the use of studio recording hardware and software, analog
and digital recording, MIDI, computer application, synthesizers, miking, and recording and mixing techniques. [From
the PCCC Academic Bulletin]
PREREQUISITES:
None
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Understand the basic historical and modern principles of analog/digital audio
2. Identify and operate various audio/digital hardware and software
3. Understand the basics of digital audio recording, editing, and mixing
4. Apply elements of musicianship to the audio processes
5. Understand the basics of analog/digital audio and MIDI signal flow
__________________________________________________________________________________________
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK/MATERIALS:
Required Textbook:
● An Introduction to Music Technology by Dan Hosken (Second Edition)
Required Materials:
● Headset and 1/8” (Female) to 1/4” (Male) Adapter
● 2GB USB thumb type drive

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COURSE CONTENT:
Course Outline:
Week 1: Section I: Sound - 1. What is Sound?
Week 2: Section I: Sound - 2. Sound Properties and the Waveform View
Week 3: Section I: Sound - 3. The Overtone Series and the Spectrum View
Week 4 Section II: Audio - 4. Audio Hardware
Week 5 Section II: Audio - 5. Digital Audio Data
Week 6 Section II: Audio - 6. Digital Audio Software: The Digital Audio Workstation
Week 7 Section II: Audio - 7. Audio-What Do I Need?
Week 8: Midterm Review & Exam
Week 9: Section III: Midi - 8. Midi Hardware
Week 10: Section III: Midi - 9. Midi Messages
Week 11: Section III: Midi - 10. Midi Sequencing;
Section III: Midi - 11. Midi-What Do I Need?
Week 12: Section IV: Synthesis and Sampling - 12. Electronic Sound Production
Week 13: Section IV: Synthesis and Sampling - 13. Synthesis Methods
Week 14: Section IV: Synthesis and Sampling - 14. Sampling Methods
Week 15: Final Review & Exam
COURSE OVERVIEW/ASSIGNMENTS:
This course will cover the following topics throughout the semester:
Analog
• Fundamentals of Acoustics & Psychoacoustics
• Introduction to Electroacoustic Devices: Microphones, Mixers, and Loudspeakers
• Studio & Live Signal Flow: Sound Reinforcement and Recording Techniques
Digital
• Introduction to Basic Digital Audio Principles: Bytes, Sampling Rates, IO
• Overview of Digital Audio Workstations and Digital Effects
• Basic Digital Audio Recording, Editing, and Mixing
• Explanation of MIDI equipment and signal flow
Assignments:
Assignments will consist of weekly quizzes administered on Blackboard. The quizzes will draw upon topics covered in the
readings and lectures. There will also be 4-5 small projects assigned throughout the semester that will allow students to
apply concepts introduced in the lecture. Each project will also require a 1 page write up describing the project and what
the student learned. All information and materials for assignments can be found on Blackboard in weekly folders. If
there is time, presentations of projects will occur during class.
In the case of inclement weather, lectures will be posted on Blackboard and students will be expected to review the
materials on their own.

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ADDITIONAL TIME REQUIREMENTS:
In addition to class time, students are encouraged to dedicate approximately 6-9 hours per week to work in the Music
Technology Studio. This time will be essential to the successful completion of course objectives. A learning assistant will
be available during regularly scheduled lab hours to work with students.
Requirements:
Class attendance and participation is mandatory. All students will be required to participate in the classroom utilizing
available studio hardware and software. Students will also be required to submit a final recording project to be
determined by the professor.
GRADING STANDARD:
Grading Procedure:
Grading is cumulative and affected by regular attendance and punctuality, participation, progress, and demonstrating an
attitude that contributes to the success of the class. Course grading is as follows:
10% Attendance
15% Midterm Exam
25% Assignments
25% Projects
25% Final Exam
Grading Scale:
95 - 100% = A 90 - 94% = A- 87 - 89% = B+ 84 - 86% = B
81 - 83% = B- 77 - 80% = C+ 70 - 76% = C below 70% = D below 60% = F
Extra Credit:
Students can earn extra credit in the following ways:
• Subscribing to an audio trade magazine such as Sound on Sound or Tape Op
• Subscribing to the Audio Engineering Society (AES)
• Attending the AES convention or an AES function
Students can also earn extra credit on the midterm and final by filling out a study guide and submitting it before the test
is due.
Class Participation:
Online Sections
Students are encouraged to visit the course site at least twice a week. Discussions will occur asynchronously and some
response from all students must occur once a week. The instructor will keep track of attendance weekly. Failure to
"show up" for your weekly assignments is the equivalent of three class-time absences. Repeated absences (of two weeks
or more) will result in a failing course grade unless the student can provide a true and compelling reason for the
absences. There will be no "Incomplete" grades in this course unless it involves an extreme emergency.
On-Campus Sections
Participation and attendance is expected at all class meetings. Students are warned that class discussions and recordings
played in the class are otherwise unavailable to them.

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Formal Attendance Policy
Course attendance is vital to student success; missing class more than twice as many times as the course meets a
week will directly impact students’ final grades as follows:
1. Students will lose ½ letter grade on their final grade for the course (A TO A-, C+ to C, etc.). Attendance alone
shall not move a student’s grade from passing to failing (C to D) since that represents more than the decrease of
½ letter grade, but may cause a student to fail in conjunction with other circumstances.
2. Students will lose all points for class participation and group work done on the days in question.
3. Students may lose the opportunity to submit any outstanding work resulting from absence and can
subsequently fail those assignments; the choice to accept late work is completely at the discretion of the
Instructor and the Department.
"Students are expected to attend all class. Only illness or serious personal matters may be considered adequate reasons
for absences. It is the prerogative of the instructor to excuse absences for valid reasons provided the students are able to
fulfill all course requirements." [From the PCCC Academic Bulletin]
Punctuality:
Being more than 5 minutes late to class without notifying the professor will result in a deduction of the student’s daily
attendance grade. Being more than 30 minutes late to a class without notifying the professor will result in an unexcused
absence. If a student is late more than 3 times, the professor will get in touch with the student to work on resolving the
issue causing the tardiness.
All quizzes, exams and bulletin board postings must be done promptly and will not be accepted after a published
deadline. No 'late assignments/quizzes' will be accepted. Assignments/quizzes must be handed in on or before the
due date. Late projects, however, will be deducted a half a letter grade every day it is late. Students should contact the
professor if they anticipate having difficulty submitting a project on time.
DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM POLICIES:
Disruptive Behavior Policy:
Disruptive behavior or threatening of physical harm will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, a variety of
behaviors such as use of cell phones, talking or "texting" during lectures, reading a newspaper, and/or bothering other
students. The use of laptops or other electronic devices are strictly prohibited. Students in violation will be asked to
leave the classroom. Other disciplinary action may be taken in accordance with the policies of the college.
COLLEGE POLICIES:
● Panther Alert: The College will announce delayed openings, closings, and other emergency situations through
the Panther Alert System. Students are encouraged to sign up for the Panther Alert Notification. Students can
sign up once they log into their Campus Cruiser Portal account through the PCCC website at www.pccc.edu.
● Cell Phone Policy: Use of cellular telephones, audible pagers, or other forms of audible electronic devices in all
academic learning environments (including but not limited to, laboratories, testing centers, classroom, library,
learning centers, theater, and so forth) unless previously approved by the instructor or other authorized
administrator.
Please refer to the PCCC Student Handbook and PCCC Catalog

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NOTIFICATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
If you have a disability and believe you need accommodations in this class, please contact Disability Services staff at
973-684-6395, or email ods@pccc.edu, to make an appointment. You should do so as soon as possible at the start of
each semester. If you require testing accommodations, you must remind the professor one week in advance of each
test. More information @ pccc.edu/ods
SYLLABUS CHANGE:
The professor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus if necessary due to time constraints or other
unforeseen events. If this is needed, members of the class will be notified as soon as possible BY E-MAIL.