Music, Computer Science and Engineering, opportunities for students

The disciplines of Music and Computer Science have a natural affinity. The history of music over the last half century has been very largely a history of its attempts to take in and adapt the new possibilities afforded by technological innovation. Conversely, a knowledge of music and audio-related applications has become a valuable and very practical part of a Computer Science or Electrical Engineering program. Over the years there have been a significant number of students from Electrical Engineering and Computer Science who have worked at projects - on occasions thesis projects - in the electronic and computer music studios of the Music School, and a smaller number of music students have migrated to Engineering - at UVic and elsewhere - to pursue studies in audio engineering.

Digital audio is a rapidly growing and complex field. It is an essential component of digital video (films and video games have audio), and can also stand alone (music). In fact, it is growing so rapidly that it is difficult to identify specific career paths; in all likelihood the field will look quite different by the time the first students are graduated from this program. What can safely be said is that jobs will be there. The following list of career areas may give some idea of the scope. It is not suggested that this program will prepare students to move directly into any or all of these, but it should give them a solid foundation.

• Film and television audio
• Audio for video games (e.g. Electronic Arts in Vancouver, revenues of several billion dollars)
• Studio recording
• Internet audio formats: design, delivery, translation, migration
• Audio recording formats: design and delivery
• Music-related software: design and delivery
• Music-related hardware: design and delivery
• Remote, collaborative music events (including remote rehearsal and performance)
• Music pedagogy: web design and delivery
• Design of new (virtual) musical instruments
• Sonic environments
• Sonic recognition