Bachelor of Music with Honours

The Bachelor of Music with Honours program is designed to allow well qualified graduates in Music or Music/Teaching to extend their studies by pursuing specialist Music research and creative portfolio projects.

Students will work with a supervisor to pursue guided research in ethnomusicology, musicology, performance studies, popular music studies, or in the study of creative music making principles and techniques in the areas of composition or music technology.

Students complete their studies by presenting a dissertation, or research informed exegesis and creative portfolio in their area of specialisation.

The course prepares students for postgraduate study and establishes a sound basis for a successful future career.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Music with Honours develops a student's ability to undertake increasingly independent research in music and critically apply approaches to methodology and/or practice to large projects. Students are able to synthesise and critique current knowledge in the discipline and apply this knowledge to a project under specialised supervision.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: independently apply a coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more music specialisations and knowledge of research principles and methods; demonstrate a high level of research skills and the ability to write critically; conduct and report independent research that contributes knowledge to a particular musical specialisation; demonstrate enhanced communication proficiency within a discipline specific context; and demonstrate an understanding of the social and ethical issues in relation to various musical contexts with intellectual independence.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will have coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more musical specialisations as well as highly developed knowledge of research principles and methods and an advanced comprehension of one particular area of study that the student has selected to research. Supervisors will guide students to identify important resources that will be used as the basis for their dissertation or exegesis and creative portfolio. This knowledge will then be assessed throughout the degree through a range of assessment tasks, including the dissertation or exegesis and creative portfolio. Graduates will gain a global musical perspective in one or more specialised areas through discussion, presentation, research and critical evaluation activities guided by their supervisor and pertaining to their primary research topic. Communication Skills Graduates will have high-level communication skills, oral and written, and be able to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences. Guided by their supervisor, these communication skills will be developed by students when completing, for example, ethics applications, contacting potential research participants, conducting empirical and other research, communicating their ideas orally, and in the writing of the dissertation or in the development, documentation and presentation of musical work. The honing of these skills will stand students in good stead for the workplace. Problem Solving Graduates will have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and provide solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence. With initiative and judgement these skills will enable students to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts. During the course of their studies, students will need to locate, evaluate and apply information from a variety of sources throughout their degree. Students will be taught how to evaluate and interpret information in a useful manner and will be assessed on their ability to deconstruct relevant literature and to integrate theoretical and critical approaches into their work. Information Literacy Graduates will be able to recognise pertinent information and will have the advanced cognitive skills to use appropriate media, tools and methodologies to locate, access, critically analyse and interpret information. They will have the cognitive skills to exercise critical and creative thinking and judgement in developing new understanding of a subject. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates will be aware of their professional responsibilities as a researcher to act ethically by providing balanced and accurate research and data. In addition, students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'. Lifelong Learning Graduates will have the research and critical thinking skills as well as intellectual capacity to enable them to continually further their learning. These attributes will be fostered throughout the honours program. Through completing the coursework, dissertation, or exegesis and creative portfolio, students will be provided with the necessary lifelong skills to be able to independently research, write about and discuss critical issues. These skills can be transferred to any discipline, will be useful in any career positions and are essentially lifelong competences. Independence and Collaboration Graduates will be able to exercise responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice as well as the ability to work collaboratively with others within broad parameters. Students will be required to participate in professional, respectful and ethical discussions with their supervisor, and with other students, on issues associated with their area of study.