Digital Audio Technology Program

Catalog 2006/07

Bachelor of Science Degree in Digital Audio Technology (DAT)

Digital Audio Technology offers students who seek professional careers in the audio industry preparation in the key areas of desktop audio production, studio recording production, and soundtrack production for motion pictures and videogames. This preparation takes place in the context of an integrated curriculum that encompasses the whole concept to delivery pipeline for audio production. Students learn about the skills required of each step of the production pipeline and apply those skills in focused classes. The senior portfolio classes provide a format for bringing together all of the elements of the concept to delivery pipeline in a major capstone project. Cogswell College provides many opportunities for collaborative work for Digital Audio students, particularly in the crafting of soundtracks for animations, motion pictures and videogames. Students also have the opportunity to produce and market audio CDs.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the DAT program of study will be able to:

1. Implement an audio project according to a standard audio industry production pipeline.

2. Create a soundtrack for a motion picture or videogame that supports the meaning of the story or action.

3. Explain the conceptual basis of the tools and processes used in audio production from a scientific, mathematical or engineering perspective.

4. Explain landmark historical events in the music and audio industries.

5. Apply musical best practices to an audio project (musicianship).

6. Imbue an audio project with grace and style above and beyond minimal technical requirements (artistry).

7. Deliver a focused oral presentation with demonstration of a project or concept.

8. Document a project or concept on a website or using Internet resources.

9. Explain the perceptual and cognitive basis of digital audio technology.

10.Create an original library of audio assets for use in an audio project.

DAT CURRICULUM

GENERAL EDUCATION AND DAT REQUIREMENTS

General Education - 45 credits

English - 9 credits
ENG100Composition -3
ENG210Cultural Diversity in Literature -3
ENG310 or ENG320Classics of Western DramaClassics of World Drama -3

Humanities - 18 credits
HUM120 or HUM130Nature and History of Western ArtModern Art History -3
HUM122 or HUM125World MusicMusic in Western Culture -3
HUM200History of the Modern World - 3
HUM227or HUM230Film HistoryHistory of Animation -3
HUM361Contemporary Ethical issues -3
HUM400General Education Capstone Research -3

Social Science – 6 credits
SSC200U.S. Government -3
SSC332Global Political Economics -3

Math – 6 credits
MATH115Basic Topics in Mathematics -3
MATH120Math for DSP -3

Science - 6 credits
SCI200General Science: Principles and Trends -3
SCI220Foundations of Musical Acoustics -3

DAT Requirements – 83 credits

Music Theory and Comprehensive Musicianship – 19 credits
DAT100Music Theory I-3
DAT101Comp. Musicianship I -1
DAT105Music Theory II- 3
DAT106Comp. Musicianship II -1
DAT200Music Theory III- 3
DAT201Comp. Musicianship III- 1
DAT205Music Theory IV- 3
DAT206Comp. Musicianship IV- 1
DAT300Style and Idea in Music- 3

Desktop Production – 15 credits
DAT110Desktop Production Fundamentals -3
DAT115Desktop Audio Production- 3
DAT210Sound Synthesis and Orchestration- 3
DAT310Digital Orchestration- 3
DAT314or DAT316Composition for Soundtracks: Motion PictureComposition for Soundtracks: Videogames- 3

Studio Production -12 credits
DAT220Studio Recording I- 3
DAT320Studio Recording II- 3
DAT324or DAT326Studio Recording IIIDigital Sound Design- 3
DAT420Audio Mastering- 3

Conceptual Foundations – 6 credits
DAT330Principles of Digital Audio - 3
DAT335Music Perception and Cognition - 3

Historical Perspectives – 6 credits
HUM222Music in the Recorded Age -3
HUM127History of Music Technology -3

Web Design - 6 credits
DAA1002d Design- 3
DAA109Web Design- 3

Programming – 7 credits
SWE110C Programming- 4
DAT350Programming Audio- 3

Production Pipeline – 12 credits
DAT280Portfolio Preparation- 3
DAT480Portfolio I- 3
DAT485Portfolio II- 3
DAT ELECTUpper Division DAT Elective- 3

Digital Audio Technology Curriculum (128 credits)

DAT Upper Division Status Requirements:

1. Completion of lower division course requirements
2. Grade of “B-“ or higher in DAT280 Portfolio Preparation
3. Grade of “B-“ or higher on written exam on lower division DAT topics
4. Satisfactory completion of a written essay on a DAT topic

DAT Graduation Requirements:

5. Completion of all course requirements
6. Grade of “B-“ or higher in DAT480 Portfolio II
7. Grade of “B-“ or higher on comprehensive written exam on DAT topics
8. Satisfactory completion of a written essay on a DAT topic

If you are a current student enrolled under 2004 - 2006 catalog, please use the link below.

Digital Audio Technology Program 2004-06
BS Degree Program in Digital Audio Technology