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Courses | B.M. in Music Composition

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.

Transfer of Credits

Most courses taken at other regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States will be accepted on a comparable course basis. The following core courses will transfer directly:

In order to pass out of Theory III (MUSC 354) or Keyboard Skills II (MUSC 119), the student must display proficiency by achieving favorable scores on the Theory and Keyboard placement surveys.

No credit(s) will be given for waived courses. Waiver of courses on the basis of placement surveys without comparable prior course credit will increase elective credits required.

Credit for courses taken at a non-accredited college or university will be granted only through placement or challenge surveys.

Applied Music

In order to graduate, music students must reach primary applied proficiency level standards designated for each degree program. Applied Music lessons are guided by faculty or studio artists who have expertise and professional experience in either the voice or instrument under study, or in composition. Studio artists are affiliated with Biola via "special employee" contracts and thus do not undergo the same process for hire as do faculty. The studio artists are all highly competent individuals who appreciate Biola and endorse the goals of the Conservatory. For more information, see the Conservatory Office.

GPA Requirements

Students in the degree program must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the major and receive a minimum grade of C in each required course.

Curriculum Requirements

Integration Seminar Requirement

All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program are required to take a Biblical Studies Integration Seminar. This requirement must be fulfilled by taking BBST 4658 Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music.

Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major and are exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement in foreign language, literature, and fine arts.
Program Courses
MUSC 118Keyboard Skills I 11
or MUSC 261 Keyboard Sight Reading I
MUSC 119Keyboard Skills II 11
or MUSC 262 Keyboard Sight Reading II
MUSC 145Applied Music (Composition) 26
MUSC 145Applied Music (Primary Instrument) 34
MUSC 153Musicianship I 41
MUSC 154Theory I 53
MUSC 160Essential Technologies for Musicians I1
MUSC 163Musicianship II 41
MUSC 164Theory II 53
MUSC 170Essential Technologies for Musicians II1
MUSC 181Introduction to Composition 62
MUSC 200Performing Arts Forum 72
MUSC 275Music Area Seminar 80
MUSC 315History of Western Art Music I: Medieval through Baroque3
MUSC 316History of Western Art Music II: Classical through Romantic3
MUSC 323Basic Conducting2
MUSC 341Modal and Tonal Counterpoint2
MUSC 342Orchestration2
MUSC 343Form and Analysis2
MUSC 344Analysis of Post-Tonal Music2
MUSC 353Musicianship III 41
MUSC 354Theory III 53
MUSC 363Musicianship IV 41
MUSC 365History and Analysis of 20th Century Music3
MUSC 410Music Cultures of the World2
MUSC 435Career Skills for the Entrepreneurial Musician2
MUSC 445Applied Music (Composition) 98
MUSC 490Senior Recital0
BBST 4658Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music 103
Ensemble Courses
Select 6 credits from the following:6
Biola Chorale
Music Ensemble
Symphony Orchestra
Jazz Ensemble
Symphonic Winds
Handbell Choir
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
University Chorus
Women's Chorus
Men's Chorus
Opera and Musical Production
Elective Courses7
Select 3 credits from the following:
Composing for New Media: Film, TV, and Audio Production
Composing for New Media: Sound Design, Recording Techniques
Composing for New Media: Advanced Orchestration, Score Preparation
Composing for New Media: Scoring for Film and Video Games, Audio Production
Select 4 credits from the following:
Introduction to Writing for Visual Storytelling
Introduction to Digital Media Production
Entertainment Business
Digital 3D Modeling
Designing Game Narratives
Voice Class
Introduction to Music Technology
Music Production I
Applied Music (Composition)
Applied Music
Applied Music (Voice/Instrumental)
Applied Music
Advanced Studies in Conducting
Music Production II
Music Education: Brass
Music Education: Percussion
Music Education: Strings
Music Education: Woodwinds
Pop Theory for Worship and Commercial Music
Pop Theory II for Worship and Commercial Music
Composing for New Media: Film, TV, and Audio Production
Composing for New Media: Sound Design, Recording Techniques
Composing for New Media: Advanced Orchestration, Score Preparation
Composing for New Media: Scoring for Film and Video Games, Audio Production
Special Studies in Music (Special Studies in Ethnomusicology; Performance Health; Music History; or Preparation for Graduate Studies)
Program Course Requirements: 78 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 1157
Total Credits135
1

Keyboard principle students are exempt from MUSC 118 and MUSC 119. Keyboardists must take MUSC 261 and MUSC 262.

Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano.

2

Must be taken for a total of 6 credits through proficiency: level 234.

3

Must be taken for a total of 4 credits through proficiency: level 224.

4

Students may take the Musicianship Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Musicianship requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 153 Musicianship I. Musicianship courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

5

Students may take the Theory Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of their Theory requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 098 Introduction to Theory. The first two semesters of Written Theory courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

6

MUSC 181 covers proficiency: level 131.

7

7 semesters of Performing Arts Forum required for graduation; at least 2 semesters must be taken for 1 credit.

8

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

9

Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency: level 438.

10

Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

11

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Concentration 

New Media 

Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major and are exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement in foreign language, literature, and fine arts.
Program Courses
Select two of the following courses:6
Introduction to Writing for Visual Storytelling
Introduction to Digital Media Production
Entertainment Business
Digital 3D Modeling
Designing Game Narratives
MUSC 118Keyboard Skills I 11
or MUSC 261 Keyboard Sight Reading I
MUSC 119Keyboard Skills II 11
or MUSC 262 Keyboard Sight Reading II
MUSC 145Applied Music (Composition) 26
MUSC 153Musicianship I 31
MUSC 154Theory I 43
MUSC 160Essential Technologies for Musicians I1
MUSC 163Musicianship II 31
MUSC 164Theory II 43
MUSC 170Essential Technologies for Musicians II1
MUSC 181Introduction to Composition 52
MUSC 200Performing Arts Forum 62
MUSC 275Music Area Seminar 70
MUSC 314History of Film Music3
MUSC 315History of Western Art Music I: Medieval through Baroque3
MUSC 316History of Western Art Music II: Classical through Romantic3
MUSC 323Basic Conducting2
MUSC 341Modal and Tonal Counterpoint2
MUSC 342Orchestration2
MUSC 343Form and Analysis2
MUSC 344Analysis of Post-Tonal Music2
MUSC 353Musicianship III 31
MUSC 354Theory III 43
MUSC 363Musicianship IV 31
MUSC 365History and Analysis of 20th Century Music3
MUSC 371Composing for New Media: Film, TV, and Audio Production1
MUSC 372Composing for New Media: Sound Design, Recording Techniques1
MUSC 373Composing for New Media: Advanced Orchestration, Score Preparation1
MUSC 374Composing for New Media: Scoring for Film and Video Games, Audio Production1
MUSC 410Music Cultures of the World2
MUSC 435Career Skills for the Entrepreneurial Musician2
MUSC 445Applied Music (Composition) 88
MUSC 490Senior Recital0
BBST 4658Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music 93
Ensemble Courses
Select 6 credits from the following:6
Biola Chorale
Music Ensemble
Symphony Orchestra
Jazz Ensemble
Symphonic Winds
Handbell Choir
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
University Chorus
Women's Chorus
Men's Chorus
Program Course Requirements: 80 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 1057
Total Credits137
1

Keyboard principle students are exempt from MUSC 118 and MUSC 119. Keyboardists must take MUSC 261 and MUSC 262.

Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano.

2

Must be taken for a total of 6 credits through proficiency: level 234.

3

Students may take the Musicianship Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Musicianship requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 153 Musicianship I. Musicianship courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

4

Students may take the Theory Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of their Theory requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 098 Introduction to Theory. The first two semesters of Written Theory courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

5

MUSC 181 covers proficiency: level 131.

6

7 semesters of Performing Arts Forum required for graduation; at least 2 semesters must be taken for 1 credit.

7

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

8

Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency: level 438.

9

Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

10

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

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