Music Minor | Cal Poly Academic Catalog

Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus

A minor is available to students who desire documented competency in music. An individualized curriculum (incorporating theory, history, and performance) based on the following guidelines is developed in consultation with a member of the music faculty. Students must complete one academic music lecture course at Cal Poly, such as MU 1101 or MU 1120, before applying for the minor. Information and application forms for the declaration of a Music minor are available in the Music Department Office, as well as online at the department website.

Program Learning Objectives

Identify and analyze cultural frameworks in music, including issues related to diversity, social and economic inequities, and political power.
Identify and analyze musical elements and structures in various contexts.
Create music in various contexts.
Perform music in various contexts.
Implement relevant technology in musical activities.
Communicate effectively through and about music.

Minor Requirements and Curriculum

The minor must be completed prior to, or at the same time as, the requirements for the bachelor's degree. A major and a minor may not be taken in the same degree program, and a minor is not required for a degree. Requirements for the minor include:

At least half of the units must be from upper-division courses (3000-4000 level).
At least half of the units must be taken at Cal Poly (in residence).
No more than one-third of the units will be taken with credit-no credit grading (CR/NC), not counting courses with mandatory CR/NC. Departments may further limit CR/NC grading if desired.
A minimum 2.0 GPA is required in all units counted for completion of the minor.

Course List
Code	Title	Units
REQUIRED COURSES
Music Theory
Select from the following:		3
MU 1101	Music Fundamentals
MU 1103	Materials and Structures of Music I
Music History or Music Theory
Select from the following:		3
Theory Courses
MU 1103	Materials and Structures of Music I
MU 1114	Introduction to Composition
MU 2203	Materials and Structures of Music II
History Courses
MU 1120	Music Appreciation
MU 1122	Ethnomusicology and World Music I
MU 2221	Jazz Styles
MU 2222	Ethnomusicology and World Music II
MU 2227	Popular Music of the United States
Theory, History, or Performance Courses
Select from the following: ¹		3
Theory Courses
MU 1114	Introduction to Composition
MU 2203	Materials and Structures of Music II
History Courses
MU 1120	Music Appreciation
MU 1122	Ethnomusicology and World Music I
MU 2221	Jazz Styles
MU 2222	Ethnomusicology and World Music II
MU 2227	Popular Music of the United States
Performance Courses ¹
MU 1104	Musicianship I
MU 1106	Musicianship II
MU 1151	Beginning Class Piano
MU 1152	Intermediate Class Piano
MU 1154	Beginning Voice
MU 1155	Beginning Guitar
MU 1168	Piano Accompanying
MU 1170	Instrumental Ensembles
MU 1171	Jazz Band
MU 1172	Symphonic Band
MU 1173	Wind Ensemble
MU 1174	Symphony Orchestra
MU 1176	Mustang Band
MU 1177	Methods Ensemble
MU 1178	Mustang Band Field Show
MU 1180	Vocal Ensemble
MU 1181	PolyPhonics
MU 1182	Cantabile
MU 1183	University Singers
MU 1184	Chamber Choir
MU 1188	Arab Music Ensemble
MU 2251	Advanced Class Piano
MU 2259	Beginning Jazz Improvisation
Upper-Division Electives
Select any 3000-4000 level MU courses ^{1, 2, 3}		9
Total Units		18

¹: In the area of performance, there is a required minimum of 2 units; the maximum number of performance units that can be applied to the minor is 6, with no more than 3 units at each level.
²: No more than 2 units in the minor may be satisfied by MU 4400.
³: If NO lower-division units were in music history, then at least 3 units must be an upper-division music history course: MU 3324 or MU 3325.