Outline

Overview

Principal Study Composition supports the sustained development of compositional craft and creative voice through the preparation of composition(s) to be submitted at the end of each semester. Via one to one lessons, attendance at weekly Composition Seminars and Supplementary Classes, students are expected to progressively advance through Composition 5 to 8. Weekly Composition Seminars provide a forum for expert guests to present specialised knowledge. Supplementary Classes are delivered by the various members of our composition staff, and deal with a variety of topics related to craft, creativity, repertoire, workflow, technology and career. By the conclusion of the degree, students will have demonstrated a very high level of compositional ability, research capacity and notation/production skills.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Composition and Music Technology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	CMPN4607
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ivan Zavada, ivan.zavada@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Portfolio or journal	Composition portfolio A substantial portfolio of compositions, including score, recordings & interview	90%	Formal exam period	A minimum of 15 minutes recommended.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Participation and engagement Participation and engagement in weekly seminars and engagement in one’s art form.	5%	Ongoing	Ongoing	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Composition major work plan Submit a semester 'major work' plan including milestones agreed upon by you and your tutor. See Canvas site for more details.	5%	Week 03 Due date: 22 Aug 2025 at 23:59	500 words max	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Application and engagement Self-evaluation of application and engagement during semester	0%	Week 13	30	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

Composition portfolio (90%): Students are required to submit a composition portfolio consistent with the practices and values of their respective composition degree focus, whether this be Composition, Digital Music & Media, or Composition for Creative Industries. Please see Canvas for further information and discuss the outcomes with your individual composition teacher.
The remainder of your composition mark is based on Application and Engagement: 10%

This is arrived at via:

1. Your engagement throughout the semester (i.e., punctual attendance, consistency of progress, willingness to learn, etc.) and attendance at Composition seminars will account for 5% of your overall grade.

2. Composition major work plan (5%).

3. End of semester summary quiz – no marks allocated (hurdle task).

More detailed information for each assessment can be found on the Canvas Hub Site for Composition and Music Technology.

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading - see Canvas for more specific information

FA	Fail	0 - less than 50	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty. This grade, with corresponding mark, should also be used in cases where a student fails to achieve a mandated standard in a compulsory assessment, thereby failing to demonstrate the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard. In such cases the student will receive the mark awarded by the faculty up to a maximum of 49.
PS	Pass	Range from 50 to less than 65	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
CR	Credit	Range from 65 to less than 75	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
DI	Distinction	Range from 75 to less than 85	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
HD	High Distinction	Range from 85 to 100 inclusive	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

A penalty of 5% per day applies for late submissions without prior written permission. Please the Sydney Conservatorium Handbook for further information.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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	Individual composition lesson: 12 x 45 minute weekly sessions with a specialised composition tutor focusing on craft, creativity and presentation. Students can focus on notated, sound and media or electroacoustic music. Application, contribution and engagement with the activities of this unit of study is an inherent part of this course.	One-to-one tuition (9 hr)
Weekly	Composition Seminar - Wednesday 12-1pm. Weekly seminars will explore a variety of repertoire and composition techniques. Occasionally, guest speakers will present their work within the context of the composition stream or program. Students will be invited to present an update on their compositional progress and creative process. Weeks 1 and 13 will be combined seminars with all other composition cohorts to focus on miscellaneous yet pertinent topics. More detailed information on Canvas.	Seminar (12 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean (Education) or relevent delegated authority. The Associate Dean (Education) 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 per cent.

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 specal 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.

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

The following are not mandatory but very useful:

Behind Bars by Elaine Gould (Faber Music) is recommended as a reference for notation-based work. The presentation component of these units of study may be marked according to guidelines in this text.

The Study of Orchestration by Samuel Adler (W. W. Norton & Co.) is recommended as a reference for instrumentation and orchestration.

The Rest is Noise by Alex Ross (Fourth Estate) is recommended as a general reference for the development of compositional trends and developments throughout the 20th Century. This is an important guide to the century that preceded ours and hence provides helpful context to the musical milieu in which you are currently working.

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. Exhibit a very high level of compositional craft, research capacity, and notation and production skills.
LO2. Showcase good discernment in compositional decisions.
LO3. Engage with and appreciate a broad range of compositional traditions, genres, perspectives, and practices.
LO4. Cultivate confidence and independence in your creative practice.
LO5. Develop a personal artistic voice and style within your creative practice.
LO6. Collaborate with the performers of your compositions, emphasizing clear communication and meeting submission deadlines.

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.

Weekly Supplementary classes expanded to implement more guest instrumentalists to workshop and perform student compositions.

Additional information

Extensive information can be found on the Canvas Hubsite for Composition, Digital Music and Creative Industries. This includes further information regarding assessment criteria, unit of study details, and other content, such as composition/career opportunities.

Please note that 4th-year students enrolling in CMPN4608 as part of Composition Creative Industries or Digital Music and Media, will need to refer to the Canvas Hubsite for additional assessment information.

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

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading - see Canvas for more specific information

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

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

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CMPN4608: Composition 8

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading - see Canvas for more specific information

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

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

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links