Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Survey of Music Technology (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 1180-01

Course: MUSC 1180-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Music
CRN: 30863

Course Description

This course introduces various types of computer technology and audio hardware and its application to music. The course includes instruction in music notation, MIDI sequencing, digital recording and hardware associated with recording and live performance. (Fall, Summer, As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Assigned Reading through Canvas – Students will be given access to select reading assignments that are uploaded to Canvas. These readings will be software manuals that will teach students how to use different audio/video recording and editing software. Students do not need to purchase a textbook for this class.

Some software user manuals can only be found on websites online. They can be accessed here:

  • Finale
    http://usermanuals.finalemusic.com/FinaleMac/Content/Finale/Finale_Tutorials.htm
  • Ableton Live
    https://www.ableton.com/en/manual/live-concepts/
  • iMovie
    https://support.apple.com/guide/imovie/welcome/mac

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will become proficient at using the following music and video software programs:

  • Pro Tools
  • GarageBand
  • Logic Pro
  • Ableton Live
  • iMovie
  • Udio – AI Music – Free Trial/$10 Per Month

Additionally, students will be able to:

  • Use MIDI to compose and create music.
  • Record and capture live audio.
  • Learn how to edit sound files.
  • Mix music files in a DAW.
  • Make a demo recording.
  • Use AI to create music.
  • Place microphones during recording.

Course Requirements

Reading Assignments: Each module in Canvas has a reading assignment that will help students become familiar with a music software program. Because test questions are derived directly from these assignments, it is important that students keep up on them and make sure to study them before a test. Each assignment is worth points that will be factored into your final grade.

Exercises: Each module will have exercises that will help students learn to use the software. These exercises build upon each other from module to module, so it is important that students stay caught up. Each student will be given access to a Google Drive Folder and all exercises will be uploaded to this folder when submitted. Additional assignments may be added to each module to help students learn different aspects of audio production.

Quizzes: Each class will begin with a short 5 question quiz. Quiz questions will be derived from the reading assignment questions in each module. Because test questions are derived directly from these questions, it is important that students keep up on them and make sure to study them before each quiz. Each question is worth 5 points and cannot be made up if the student is absent.

Mid Term/Final Projects: The midterm and final projects will allow students to use music/video production software in a creative way. Each project has specific guidelines that will be given to the students later in the semester.

Tests: There will be a Midterm and Final test that will be derived from information covered in the reading assignments and things learned in class. Because questions for these tests will be derived directly from the reading assignments, it’s important that students stay caught up and study the material in advance.

Graded Course Activities and Letter Grade Assignment

AssignmentsDatesPercentage Breakdown
Reading Assignments5%
Exercises10%
Quizzes10%
Midterm ProjectOctober 10th15%
Midterm TestOctober 10th15%
Final ProjectDecember 12th15%
Attendance10%
Final ExamMonday December 9th 1:00 pm20%
Total100%
Letter GradePercentage
A93% - 100%
A-90% - 92.99%
B+87% - 89.99%
B83% - 86.99%
B-80% - 82.99%
C+77% - 79.99%
C73% - 76.99%
C-70% - 72.99%
D+67% - 69.99%
D63% - 66.99%
D-60% - 62.99%
FBelow 60%

Course Outline

Week by Week Class Schedule: (subject to change)

DateDateDateSCHEDULETests & Assignments
August29Syllabus/ GarageBand ModuleGB Reading Assignment
3GB Exercise 1
5GB Exercise 2
10Logic Pro ModuleLP Reading Assignment 1
12LP Exercise 1
17LP Reading Assignment 2
19LP Exercise 2
24Udio ModuleU Exercise 1
26U Exercise 2
October1Midterm ProjectU Exercise 3
8Midterm Review
10Midterm Project DueMidterm Test
15No Class – Fall Break
17Pro Tools ModulePT Reading Assignment 1
22PT Exercise 1
24PT Reading Assignment 2
29PT Exercise 2
31PT Reading Assignment 3
and Exercise 3
November5
7Ableton Live ModuleA Exercise 1
12A Exercise 2
14A Exercise 3
19A Exercise 4
26THANKSGIVING BREAK
28THANKSGIVING BREAK
30iMovie ModuleiM Reading Assignment 1
December3Final ProjectiM Exercise 1
5Final ReviewiM Exercise 2
9Final Exam 1:00 – 2:50Final Test
12Final Project Due

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work will only be accepted for half credit.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to arrive to each class on time and should only miss a class if there is an emergency. Attendance counts for 10% of the final grade and will be impacted greatly if students do not show up. Each student will be allowed one excused absence without penalty. Students must communicate with the instructor via email or phone at least 24 hours in advance of the class to be missed in order to excuse their absence. Texting will not be permitted as a method of communicating these absences.

Course Fees

None.

Additional Course Information

Credit Hours

3 Credit Hours

Academic Integrity

Plagiarism of any kind will result in the grade of an F for the entire course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.