Music Major Checklist

Complete the Preparatory Subject Matter, then choose one of the four Depth Subject Matter tracks below and complete the requirements listed for that track.

Preparatory Subject Matter (23–35 Units)

The department requires all incoming students to take a placement test before enrolling in MUS 6. Transfer students should take the MUS 6 placement test as a first step. If the placement test recommends it, students take MUS 3A, Introduction to Music Theory, in the fall before moving on to MUS 6A in the winter.

Intro Courses

Complete all of the following:

  • MUS 3A, Introduction to Music Theory (if recommended by placement exam)
  • MUS 6A, Elementary Theory, Part 1 (3 units)
  • MUS 6B, Elementary Theory, Part 2 (3 units)
  • MUS 13, Introduction to Musicianship (2 units)
  • MUS 16A, Elementary Musicianship, Part 1 (2 units)
  • MUS 16B, Elementary Musicianship, Part 2 (2 units)

Complete the following (MUS 7 and MUS 17 must be taken concurrently):

  • MUS 7A, Intermediate Theory, Part 1 (3 units), taken with MUS 17A, Intermediate Musicianship 1 (2 units)
  • MUS 7B, Intermediate Theory, Part 2 (3 units), taken with MUS 17B, Intermediate Musicianship 2 (2 units)
  • MUS 7C, Intermediate Theory, Part 3 (3 units), taken with MUS 17C, Intermediate Musicianship 3 (2 units)

Intro History

Complete both of the following:

  • MUS 24A, History of Western Music (Baroque and Classical Eras) (4 units)
  • MUS 24B, History of Western Music (Romantic Era) (4 units)

Depth Subject Matter (38–45 Units)

Choose one of the four upper-division tracks below and complete the requirements listed in that track.

Track 1: Music Composition (45 Units)

Theory and Composition

Complete all of the following:

  • MUS 101A, Advanced Theory, Part 1 (4 units)
  • MUS 101B, Advanced Theory, Part 2 (4 units)
  • MUS 103, Workshop in Composition (3 units)
  • MUS 123, Music as Culture (4 units)

Complete one:

  • MUS 121, Topics in Music Scholarship (4 units)
  • MUS 122, Topics in Analysis and Theory (4 units)
History

Complete both of the following:

  • MUS 124C, History of Western Music (20th Century to the Present) (4 units)
  • MUS 124D, History of Western Music (Middle Ages and Renaissance) (4 units)
Applied Study

Complete 6 units (3 quarters) of lessons through MUS 131A–W, Applied Study of Music: Advanced (Individual) (2 units each). Applied Study lesson units can come from more than one instrument. A maximum of 19 credits in performance courses (MUS 131, 140–156) apply toward the degree; see Unit Credit Guidelines in the College of Letters and Science degree requirements section. Academic Senate By-Law 51c makes it possible for students to take more than 19 units of performance classes without those additional units counting toward the 225-unit cap on units.

Ensemble

Complete 6 units of Ensembles (ensembles may be repeated for credit):

  • MUS 140, University Jazz Band (2 units)
  • MUS 141, University Symphony (2 units)
  • MUS 142, University Chamber Singers (2 units)
  • MUS 143, University Concert Band (2 units)
  • MUS 144, University Chorus (2 units)
  • MUS 145, Early Music Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 146, Chamber Music Ensemble (1 unit)
  • MUS 147, University Wind Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 148, Hindustani Vocal Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 149, Indonesian Gamelan Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 150, Brazilian Samba School (2 units)
  • MUS 151, Korean Percussion Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 152, Afro-Cuban Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 153, Brazilian Capoeira Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 155, Percussion Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 156, Mariachi Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 157, Bluegrass and Old Time String Band (2 units)
Upper-Division Electives

Choose 4 units from the following:

  • MUS 102, Tonal Counterpoint (4 units)
  • MUS 105, History and Analysis of Jazz (4 units)
  • MUS 106, History of Rock Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107A, Introduction to Electronic Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107B, Handmade Electronic Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107C, Computer Music (4 units)
  • MUS 108A, Orchestration (2 units)
  • MUS 108B, Orchestration (2 units)
  • MUS 110A, The Musical World of Beethoven (4 units)
  • MUS 110B, The Musical World of a 20th-Century Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 110C, The Musical World of J.S. Bach (4 units)
  • MUS 110D, The Musical World of Mozart (4 units)
  • MUS 110E, The Musical World of an 18th-Century Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 110F, The Musical World of an American Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 112A, Jazz Fundamentals (4 units)
  • MUS 112B, Jazz Theory (4 units)
  • MUS 112C, Jazz Composition (4 units)
  • MUS 113, Introduction to Conducting (2 units)
  • MUS 114, Intermediate Conducting (2 units)
  • MUS 115, History of Film Music (4 units)
  • MUS 116, Introduction to the Music of The Beatles (4 units)
  • MUS 117, The Broadway Musical (4 units)
  • MUS 118, Music and Nature (4 units)
  • MUS 121, Topics in Music Scholarship (4 units)
  • MUS 122, Topics in Analysis and Theory (4 units)
  • MUS 126, American Music (4 units)
  • MUS 127/SPA 171, Music from Latin America (4 units)
  • MUS 129A, Musics of the Americas (4 units)
  • MUS 129B, Musics of Africa, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent (4 units)
  • MUS 129C, Musics of East and Southeast Asia (4 units)
  • MUS 129D, Folk Musics of Europe (4 units)
  • MUS 135, Recital Prep (1 unit)
  • MUS 170, Recording Techniques (4 units)
  • MUS 192, Internship in Music (1–4 units)
  • MUS 199, Special Study (1–5 units)
Senior Project
  • MUS 195, Senior Project (2 units)
Composition Honors Option

Admission to the honors program in composition is by invitation from the composition faculty after submission of the junior portfolio. Instead of MUS 195, Senior Project, honors students complete 2 quarters (6–8 units) of MUS 194HA and MUS 194HB, Senior Composition Portfolio (2–4 units each). After reviewing junior portfolios, faculty may invite qualified students to join the composition track. Students must meet the GPA threshold for the Honors Program according to the Registrar website. Students create a portfolio in MUS 194HA and MUS 194HB meeting criteria for high honors or highest honors and apply for honors in the latter part of their junior year. Admission is based on GPA, examples of previous writing, and the recommendation of a faculty member willing to sponsor the student's project. We recommend that Honors track students complete at least one offering of MUS 121 or MUS 122 before the end of their junior year.

Track 2: Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology (42 Units)

Theory and Culture

Complete all of the following:

  • MUS 123, Music as Culture (4 units)

Complete one:

  • MUS 121, Topics in Music Scholarship (4 units)
  • MUS 122, Topics in Analysis and Theory (4 units)
History

Complete both of the following:

  • MUS 124C, History of Western Music (20th Century to the Present) (4 units)
  • MUS 124D, History of Western Music (Middle Ages and Renaissance) (4 units)
Applied Study

Complete 6 units (3 quarters) of lessons through MUS 131, Applied Study of Music: Advanced (Individual) (2 units each). Applied Study lesson units can come from more than one instrument. A maximum of 19 credits in performance courses (MUS 131, 140–156) apply toward the degree; see Unit Credit Guidelines in the College of Letters and Science degree requirements section. Academic Senate By-Law 51c makes it possible for students to take more than 19 units of performance classes without those additional units counting toward the 225-unit cap on units.

Ensemble

Complete 6 units (3 quarters) of Ensembles (ensembles may be repeated for credit):

  • MUS 140, University Jazz Band (2 units)
  • MUS 141, University Symphony (2 units)
  • MUS 142, University Chamber Singers (2 units)
  • MUS 143, University Concert Band (2 units)
  • MUS 144, University Chorus (2 units)
  • MUS 145, Early Music Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 146, Chamber Music Ensemble (1 unit)
  • MUS 147, University Wind Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 148, Hindustani Vocal Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 149, Indonesian Gamelan Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 150, Brazilian Samba School (2 units)
  • MUS 151, Korean Percussion Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 152, Afro-Cuban Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 153, Brazilian Capoeira Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 155, Percussion Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 156, Mariachi Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 157, Bluegrass and Old Time String Band (2 units)
Upper-Division Electives

Choose 12 units from the following:

  • MUS 101A, Advanced Theory, Part 1 (4 units)
  • MUS 101B, Advanced Theory, Part 2 (4 units)
  • MUS 102, Tonal Counterpoint (4 units)
  • MUS 103, Workshop in Composition (4 units)
  • MUS 105, History and Analysis of Jazz (4 units)
  • MUS 106, History of Rock Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107A, Introduction to Electronic Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107B, Handmade Electronic Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107C, Computer Music (4 units)
  • MUS 108A, Orchestration (2 units)
  • MUS 108B, Orchestration (2 units)
  • MUS 110A, The Musical World of Beethoven (4 units)
  • MUS 110B, The Musical World of a 20th-Century Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 110C, The Musical World of J.S. Bach (4 units)
  • MUS 110D, The Musical World of Mozart (4 units)
  • MUS 110E, The Musical World of an 18th-Century Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 110F, The Musical World of an American Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 112A, Jazz Fundamentals (4 units)
  • MUS 112B, Jazz Theory (4 units)
  • MUS 112C, Jazz Composition (4 units)
  • MUS 113, Introduction to Conducting (2 units)
  • MUS 114, Intermediate Conducting (2 units)
  • MUS 115, History of Film Music (4 units)
  • MUS 116, Introduction to the Music of The Beatles (4 units)
  • MUS 117, The Broadway Musical (4 units)
  • MUS 118, Music and Nature (4 units)
  • MUS 121, Topics in Music Scholarship (4 units)
  • MUS 122, Topics in Analysis and Theory (4 units)
  • MUS 126, American Music (4 units)
  • MUS 127/SPA 171, Music from Latin America (4 units)
  • MUS 129A, Musics of the Americas (4 units)
  • MUS 129B, Musics of Africa, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent (4 units)
  • MUS 129C, Musics of East and Southeast Asia (4 units)
  • MUS 129D, Folk Musics of Europe (4 units)
  • MUS 135, Recital Prep (1 unit)
  • MUS 170, Recording Techniques (4 units)
  • MUS 192, Internship in Music (1–4 units)
  • MUS 199, Special Study (1–5 units)
Senior Project
  • MUS 195, Senior Project (2 units)
Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology Honors Option

Note: The source checklist document describes this honors option using the same text as the Music Composition track's honors option (including references to "the composition faculty" and "Senior Composition Portfolio"). This appears to be a copy-paste carryover in the department's source document rather than track-specific honors language. It is reproduced below as written; please confirm the correct Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology honors requirements with the department.

Admission to the honors program is by invitation from the faculty after submission of the junior portfolio. Instead of MUS 195, Senior Project, honors students complete 2 quarters (6–8 units) of MUS 194HA and MUS 194HB, Senior Composition Portfolio (2–4 units each). After reviewing junior portfolios, faculty may invite qualified students to join the track. Students must meet the GPA threshold for the Honors Program according to the Registrar website. Students create a portfolio in MUS 194HA and MUS 194HB meeting criteria for high honors or highest honors and apply for honors in the latter part of their junior year. Admission is based on GPA, examples of previous writing, and the recommendation of a faculty member willing to sponsor the student's project. We recommend that Honors track students complete at least one offering of MUS 121 or MUS 122 before the end of their junior year.

Track 3: Music Performance (43 Units)

Theory and Culture

Complete all of the following:

  • MUS 123, Music as Culture (4 units)

Complete one:

  • MUS 121, Topics in Music Scholarship (4 units)
  • MUS 122, Topics in Analysis and Theory (4 units)
History

Complete both of the following:

  • MUS 124C, History of Western Music (20th Century to the Present) (4 units)
  • MUS 124D, History of Western Music (Middle Ages and Renaissance) (4 units)
Applied Study

Complete 6 units (3 quarters) of lessons through MUS 131, Applied Study of Music: Advanced (Individual) (2 units each). Applied Study lesson units can come from more than one instrument. A maximum of 19 credits in performance courses (MUS 131, 140–156) apply toward the degree; see Unit Credit Guidelines in the College of Letters and Science degree requirements section. Academic Senate By-Law 51c makes it possible for students to take more than 19 units of performance classes without those additional units counting toward the 225-unit cap on units.

Ensemble

Complete 13 units of Ensembles (ensembles may be repeated for credit):

  • MUS 140, University Jazz Band (2 units)
  • MUS 141, University Symphony (2 units)
  • MUS 142, University Chamber Singers (2 units)
  • MUS 143, University Concert Band (2 units)
  • MUS 144, University Chorus (2 units)
  • MUS 145, Early Music Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 146, Chamber Music Ensemble (1 unit)
  • MUS 147, University Wind Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 148, Hindustani Vocal Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 149, Indonesian Gamelan Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 150, Brazilian Samba School (2 units)
  • MUS 151, Korean Percussion Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 152, Afro-Cuban Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 153, Brazilian Capoeira Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 155, Percussion Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 156, Mariachi Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 157, Bluegrass and Old Time String Band (2 units)
Upper-Division Electives

Choose 6 units from the following:

  • MUS 101A, Advanced Theory, Part 1 (4 units)
  • MUS 101B, Advanced Theory, Part 2 (4 units)
  • MUS 102, Tonal Counterpoint (4 units)
  • MUS 103, Workshop in Composition (4 units)
  • MUS 105, History and Analysis of Jazz (4 units)
  • MUS 106, History of Rock Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107A, Introduction to Electronic Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107B, Handmade Electronic Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107C, Computer Music (4 units)
  • MUS 108A, Orchestration (2 units)
  • MUS 108B, Orchestration (2 units)
  • MUS 110A, The Musical World of Beethoven (4 units)
  • MUS 110B, The Musical World of a 20th-Century Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 110C, The Musical World of J.S. Bach (4 units)
  • MUS 110D, The Musical World of Mozart (4 units)
  • MUS 110E, The Musical World of an 18th-Century Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 110F, The Musical World of an American Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 112A, Jazz Fundamentals (4 units)
  • MUS 112B, Jazz Theory (4 units)
  • MUS 112C, Jazz Composition (4 units)
  • MUS 113, Introduction to Conducting (2 units)
  • MUS 114, Intermediate Conducting (2 units)
  • MUS 115, History of Film Music (4 units)
  • MUS 116, Introduction to the Music of The Beatles (4 units)
  • MUS 117, The Broadway Musical (4 units)
  • MUS 118, Music and Nature (4 units)
  • MUS 121, Topics in Music Scholarship (4 units)
  • MUS 122, Topics in Analysis and Theory (4 units)
  • MUS 126, American Music (4 units)
  • MUS 127/SPA 171, Music from Latin America (4 units)
  • MUS 129A, Musics of the Americas (4 units)
  • MUS 129B, Musics of Africa, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent (4 units)
  • MUS 129C, Musics of East and Southeast Asia (4 units)
  • MUS 129D, Folk Musics of Europe (4 units)
  • MUS 135, Recital Prep (1 unit)
  • MUS 170, Recording Techniques (4 units)
  • MUS 192, Internship in Music (1–4 units)
  • MUS 199, Special Study (1–5 units)
Senior Project
  • MUS 195, Senior Project (2 units)

More information on specific requirements for the Performance track, including the junior and senior recitals, can be found at arts.ucdavis.edu/performance.

Track 4: Independent Track (38 Units)

Theory and Culture
  • MUS 123, Music as Culture (4 units)
History

Complete both of the following:

  • MUS 124C, History of Western Music (20th Century to the Present) (4 units)
  • MUS 124D, History of Western Music (Middle Ages and Renaissance) (4 units)
Applied Study

Complete 6 units (3 quarters) of lessons through MUS 131, Applied Study of Music: Advanced (Individual) (2 units each). Applied Study lesson units can come from more than one instrument. A maximum of 19 credits in performance courses (MUS 131, 140–156) apply toward the degree; see Unit Credit Guidelines in the College of Letters and Science degree requirements section. Academic Senate By-Law 51c makes it possible for students to take more than 19 units of performance classes without those additional units counting toward the 225-unit cap on units.

Ensemble

Complete 6 units of Ensembles (ensembles may be repeated for credit):

  • MUS 140, University Jazz Band (2 units)
  • MUS 141, University Symphony (2 units)
  • MUS 142, University Chamber Singers (2 units)
  • MUS 143, University Concert Band (2 units)
  • MUS 144, University Chorus (2 units)
  • MUS 145, Early Music Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 146, Chamber Music Ensemble (1 unit)
  • MUS 147, University Wind Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 148, Hindustani Vocal Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 149, Indonesian Gamelan Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 150, Brazilian Samba School (2 units)
  • MUS 151, Korean Percussion Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 152, Afro-Cuban Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 153, Brazilian Capoeira Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 155, Percussion Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 156, Mariachi Ensemble (2 units)
  • MUS 157, Bluegrass and Old Time String Band (2 units)
Upper-Division Electives

Choose 12 units from the following:

  • MUS 101A, Advanced Theory, Part 1 (4 units)
  • MUS 101B, Advanced Theory, Part 2 (4 units)
  • MUS 102, Tonal Counterpoint (4 units)
  • MUS 103, Workshop in Composition (4 units)
  • MUS 105, History and Analysis of Jazz (4 units)
  • MUS 106, History of Rock Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107A, Introduction to Electronic Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107B, Handmade Electronic Music (4 units)
  • MUS 107C, Computer Music (4 units)
  • MUS 108A, Orchestration (2 units)
  • MUS 108B, Orchestration (2 units)
  • MUS 110A, The Musical World of Beethoven (4 units)
  • MUS 110B, The Musical World of a 20th-Century Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 110C, The Musical World of J.S. Bach (4 units)
  • MUS 110D, The Musical World of Mozart (4 units)
  • MUS 110E, The Musical World of an 18th-Century Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 110F, The Musical World of an American Composer (4 units)
  • MUS 112A, Jazz Fundamentals (4 units)
  • MUS 112B, Jazz Theory (4 units)
  • MUS 112C, Jazz Composition (4 units)
  • MUS 113, Introduction to Conducting (2 units)
  • MUS 114, Intermediate Conducting (2 units)
  • MUS 115, History of Film Music (4 units)
  • MUS 116, Introduction to the Music of The Beatles (4 units)
  • MUS 117, The Broadway Musical (4 units)
  • MUS 118, Music and Nature (4 units)
  • MUS 121, Topics in Music Scholarship (4 units)
  • MUS 122, Topics in Analysis and Theory (4 units)
  • MUS 126, American Music (4 units)
  • MUS 127/SPA 171, Music from Latin America (4 units)
  • MUS 129A, Musics of the Americas (4 units)
  • MUS 129B, Musics of Africa, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent (4 units)
  • MUS 129C, Musics of East and Southeast Asia (4 units)
  • MUS 129D, Folk Musics of Europe (4 units)
  • MUS 135, Recital Prep (1 unit)
  • MUS 170, Recording Techniques (4 units)
  • MUS 192, Internship in Music (1–4 units)
Senior Project
  • MUS 195, Senior Project (2 units)

Foreign Language (Recommended for All Tracks)

Students in any track contemplating graduate study in music are advised to consider pursuing foreign language study beyond the elementary level.