Outline

Overview

The rationale behind this unit of study is to explore fundamental concepts of music as related to build upon Composition for Creative Industries 1 where fundamental concepts of music are explored via the medium of a portfolio of compositions. Musical compositions may be completed via various means: musical notation, improvisation, recorded audio and their combinations. It also allows for students to curate an individual creative project and be supported via a scaffolded process. This unit is the first pathway for students interested in exploring such issues in the Creative Music program as part of the Bachelor of Music.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Composition and Music Technology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Students are required to use a professional music notation package and a Digital Audio Workstation software package
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Fiona Hill, f.hill@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Fiona Hill, f.hill@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Participation/application Participation/application in Tutorials	15%	Multiple weeks	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1 Composition and Q&A in class	10%	Week -04 Due date: 18 Mar 2025 at 23:59	Equivalent to 500 words & Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Canvas quiz Canvas quiz #earlyfeedbacktask	5%	Week 03 Due date: 12 Mar 2025 at 23:59	15mins
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2 Composition & Q&A in class	20%	Week 06 Due date: 01 Apr 2025 at 23:59	Equivalent to 1500 words & Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 3 Composition and Q&A in class	15%	Week 08 Due date: 15 Apr 2025 at 23:59	equivalent 1000 words with Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 4 Composition and Q&A in class	20%	Week 11 Due date: 13 May 2025 at 23:59	Equivalent to 1500 words and Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 5 Composition and Q&A in class	15%	Week 13 Due date: 27 May 2025 at 23:59	Equivalent to 1000 words and Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = AI allowed ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

• Creativity: 40%

• Craft: 40%

• Presentation: 20%

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Learning outcomes are demonstrated at an exceptional standard
Distinction	75 - 84	Learning outcomes are demonstrated at a very high standard
Credit	65 - 74	Learning outcomes demonstrated at a good standard
Pass	50 - 64	Learning outcomes demonstrated at an acceptable standard
Fail	0 - 49	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Weekly	Theoretical composition techniques for composition within the creative industries	Lecture (1 hr)
Weekly	Application, experimentation and appraisal of compositional tools and techniques within the composition for creative industries context	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School, Program Leader, or relevant Unit of Study Coordinator. The Dean, Head of School, Program Leader or relevant Unit of Study Coordinator may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.
In addition to the rule above, full (100 per cent) and punctual attendance is a requirement in all activities where students have a role as active participants in the class or activity. Active participation includes situations where the student's contribution is to perform, rehearse or direct rehearsals in a small or large ensemble, or to give seminar and tutorial papers or presentations or undertake assessment tasks. Active participation also includes all one-to-one studio teaching and supervision. Except in cases of special consideration, failure to attend activities or classes where a student is an active participant will be seen as failure to meet the requirements of the unit of study.
Students are expected to attend all mandatory Composition and Music Technology Forums at the start and end of semester. A QR Code attendance roll will be taken on the day of the common forum.

Additional information

For all students enrolled in third and fourth year Composition Principal Study units (CMPN3605, CMPN3606, CMPN4607, CMPN4608, CMPN4610-13, a 20% Application and Engagement mark will contribute to the overall mark for each semester in addition to Seminar Formative Assessments worth 10%.

Information on the assessment rubric for Application and Engagement is available on the Composition & Music Technology Canvas hub site.

Final year Composition Principal study (Composition, Composition for Creative Industries, Digital Music Composition) and Honours students are required to attend a Summative Assessment Interview during the official examination period.

Third year Composition Principal Study (BMus Composition only) study are required to attend a Summative Assessment Interview during the official examination period.

Seminar attendance requirements:
- Composition, CCI and DMM 1st and 2nd year students are required to attend only the common forum in Week 1 and Week 13.
- Composition, CCI and DMM 3rd and 4th year students are required to attend the common forum in Week 1 and Week 13, with the addition of weekly seminars from Week 2 to Week 12 inclusively (except mid-semester break and Special Projects Week 10). Each degree/program has respective seminar allocations.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time such as an assignment, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension. The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment or during the semester , you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Elaine Gould ‘Behind Bars’ Faber Music.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. classify, compare and apply pitch within compositional structures
LO2. analyse, notate and combine rhythms and cyclical ostinato patterns
LO3. identify and experiment with elements of instrumental writing
LO4. demonstrate understanding of music notation conventions
LO5. create and arrange short pieces with musical notation and digital audio workstations
LO6. examine relationships between compositional conventions and dramatic contexts
LO7. appraise and critique compositional elements through peer learning and self-reflection
LO8. experiment with and utilise specialised software associated with composition for creative industries

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This UoS will have a dedicated lecture time and a student showcase concert. Tasks are specifically tailored to the Creative Industries.

Additional information

Student responsibilities

Additional costs

Purchase of professional music notation software and digital audio workstation (DAW) software is essential and compulsory. Required software: Notation - Sibelius or Dorico DAW - Cubase or Logic

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

CMPN1331: Composition for Creative Industries 1

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

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