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First-Year Program Requirements: Faculty of Music
Note: The following information represents requirements for the 2024/25 academic calendar year. The Course Registration Guide will be updated for the 2025/26 academic year mid-May.
The following information is part of Step 1: Program Requirements of the Course Registration Guide for first-year Faculty of Music students. To view the remaining steps, consult the Course Registration Guide.
On this page:
Progression
- To progress to Year 2: Music GPA 6.0, overall GPA 4.0.
- To progress to Year 3, 4, or to graduate: Music GPA 7.0, overall GPA 6.0.
- Refer to the university regulations section of the academic calendar for details on progression and graduation requirements.
- Information regarding options and minors can be found in the academic calendar, Faculty of Music.
Definitions:
- An asterisk (*) denotes a course worth 1.0 credits
- A circle (˚) denotes a course worth 0.25 credit
- BMus: Bachelor of Music (honours)
MUST100o: Foundational Vocal Techniques (Non-Voice Majors) or MUST101o: Foundational Vocal Techniques (Voice Majors)
- A 0.25 credit class taught in the Fall term.
- Choose MUST101 if you are a voice major.
- All other students should choose MUST100.
MUST103: Keyboard Foundations or MUST104: Keyboard Harmony
- A 0.5 credit class taught in the Fall term.
- Choose MUST104 if you are a piano major.
- All other students should choose MUST103.
- If a non-piano major has RCM grade 3 or equivalent contemporary level, you may be exempt from MUST103 and can select another elective.
- Information on how to be exempt will be communicated by the Faculty of Music.
MUAC101: Theory I: Foundations
- A 0.5 credit course taught in the Fall term.
MUEN111 – MUEN123: Ensemble
- A 0.5 credit course taught over both Fall and Winter terms.
- Register for both the Fall and Winter term portion of the same course.
- Choose the course number for the ensemble you think you will be in.
- Auditions for ensemble placement will happen during Orientation Week for all students.
MUPS121D – MUPS182D: Individual Studio Lessons & Studio Class
- A 1.0 credit course taught over both Fall and Winter terms.
- Register for both the Fall and Winter term portions of the same course.
- Choose the course code for your instrument/voice.
- The timeslots listed are for your studio class. (Classes when all members of the studio meet together.)
- Your individual weekly lesson will be scheduled when you meet with your studio instructor during Orientation Week.
One Elective
- All students should select one 0.5 elective course in Fall term. See notes regarding electives below.
MUST102˚: Ear Training Lab I
- A 0.25 credit courses taught in the Winter term.
MUAC102: Theory II: Functional Grammars
- A 0.5 credit course taught in the Winter term.
Full-year courses as listed above.
Two Electives
- All students should select two 0.5 elective course in Winter term. See notes regarding electives below.
One elective space in Fall term, two elective spaces in Winter term.
The Faculty of Music makes recommendations in only the following situations:
- If you wish to pursue Music Therapy, you should take PS101 (Psychology) in Fall and both PS102 (Psychology) and MUMT101 (Intro to Music Therapy) in Winter term.
- If you wish to pursue Music Education, you should take MUCE101 (Intro to Music Ed & Community Music) in the Winter term and choose non-music electives working toward a second teachable (e.g. English, History, Math, etc.) for high school level teaching or other non-music courses appropriate for elementary level teaching.
- If you wish to pursue Composition, you should take the first-year composition course MUCP102 (Intro to Composition) in the Winter term.
- If you are interested in Performance and/or Chamber Music, you should take MUEN101B (Intro to Chamber Music) in the Winter term.
- If you are a Voice major considering Performance, you are encouraged to register for some language courses.
- By the completion of your degree all music programs require a minimum of 3.0 non-music electives.
Music students are encouraged to keep Fridays 11:30am-1:00pm free of elective courses to attend free concerts and student recitals.
Course Load
To earn an Honours Degree, you will need to complete 20.0 credits:
- 0.5 credit: Normally conducted over one term
- 1.0 credit: Normally conducted over two terms
If you are studying part-time, you can take up to 1.5 credits per term. Full-time status is given to students who take 2.0 or 2.5 credits per term.
If you select 2.5 credits in the fall term and 2.5 credits in the winter term, you can complete an Honours Degree in four years.
Next Step: Choose Your Electives
Now that you've determined your program requirements, it's time to move to Step 2: Choose Your Electives to plan and select your electives.