The Minor

The Minor in Music Engineering provides students with experiences at the intersection of music and technology. Students learn the technologies behind music-making, both traditional and modern, and how new technologies can be applied to musical goals. The minor is available to students both in the School of Engineering and the School of Arts & Sciences.

The minor consists of 5 courses and a final project (6 units in total).

The minor has three possible emphases:


(1) Sound recording and production


(2) Electronic instrument design


(3) Acoustic instrument design



Students can follow any one of these emphases, which will influence the choice of final project.

Music Engineering Minor Requirements​

1 Course in Music

MUS 5, 11, 14, 15, 17, 70, 71, 74, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 90, 101, 102, 103, 116, 118

1 Course in Electronics

EE 20, EE 21, ME 30, ES 3, BME 10

1 Course in Electronic Music

MUS 61

1 Course in Recording & Production

MUS 142/ES 65

1 Course in Elective

any course listed above as an option for the minor, EE 99, ME 99, ES 62/MUS 62/ME 93,

ME 21, ME 126, ME 127, ME 45, SCPC 36, MUS 141/ES 95, SCP 110, ES 2, ES 4, CS 10, CS 11

Final Project

A project in Music or ECE mentored by a minor advisor.

Independent projects without course credit may fulfill this requirement with approval of the

minor advisor.

1 Course in Introduction

ES 62/MUS 62/ME 93

1 Course in Music

MUS 5, 11, 14, 15, 17, 70, 71, 74, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 90, 101, 102, 103, 116, 118

1 Course in Electronic Music

MUS 61, MUS 90, SCP 110

1 Course in Electronic Instruments

MUS 141/ES 95

1 Course in Elective

any course listed above as an option for the minor, EE 99, ME 99, EE 20, EE 21, ME 30, ES 3, BME 10,

MUS 140, MUS 142/ES 65, ME 45, SCPC 36, ME 21, ME 126, ME 127, ES 2, ES 4, CS 10, CS 11

Final Project

A project in Music or Mechanical Engineering mentored by a minor advisor.

Independent projects without course credit may fulfill this requirement with approval of the

minor advisor.

1 Course in Introduction

ES 62/MUS 62/ME 93

1 Course in Music

MUS 5, 11, 14, 15, 17, 70, 71, 74, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 90, 101, 102, 103, 116, 118

1 Course in Acoustics

ME 21, ME 126, ME 127

1 Course in Acoustic Instruments

ME 45, SCPC 36

1 Course in Elective

any course listed above as an option for the minor, EE 99, ME 99, EE 20, EE 21, ME 30, ES 3,

BME 10, MUS 140, MUS 142/ES 65, MUS 141/ES 95, MUS 61, SCP 110 

Final Project

A project in Music or Mechanical Engineering mentored by a minor advisor.

Independent projects without course credit may fulfill this requirement with approval of the

minor advisor.

Other requirements:

Each student taking the Minor must have a minor faculty advisor who approves course selections and mentors the final project.

Internships must be taken with the approval and under the direction of the minor faculty advisor. A written report on the internship is usually required upon its completion. Internships may be taken for credit or non-credit.

Students doing senior projects (honors or otherwise) may use their projects as the final project for the Minor, provided the project is appropriate to the Minor, as determined by the minor faculty advisor.

Minors should be declared during the student’s junior year, but students are advised to plan for the minor before then. Those interested in the Minor should therefore work with their own advisors and the Minor’s directors as early as possible to map out their plan of study.

The Forms for declaring and completing the Minor can be downloaded here.