Sound Engineering Systems - BSc (Hons) full-time
Course overview
This course involves a partnership between the University of Bolton and the School of Sound Recording (SSR), Manchester (www.s-s-r.com). Some travel between Bolton and Manchester will be necessary.
The course includes the fundamentals of sound systems, sound engineering, sound for radio and TV, special effects, computer games design, electronic music, the science of sound and the recording chain, synthesis and midi, studio techniques, electronic principles, signal analysis and digital signal processing.
During the first year of the degree you will be trained in the use of industry-standard equipment and develop the skills essential for studio work in sound engineering. This provides a firm basis for the more academic engineering topics developed in the second and third years of this degree.
Fact file
| School | School of Business and Creative Technologies (BCT)
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| Award | BSc (Hons) |
| UCAS code | H343 BSc/SESys |
| How to apply | Please visit our How to apply for a bachelor degree course webpage for details. |
| Mode of attendance | Full-time |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Available Pathways | Single Honours |
| Start dates | September
January: January start is subject to sufficient demand. |
| Entry requirements(typical offer) | For September 2010 and January 2011 entry:
240 UCAS points from at least two A2-level passes (or equivalent) including one engineering, electronics or physical science subject, and one from mathematics, music or a technology-based subject.
You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent) including mathematics and English.
You may be required to attend for interview.
Please also read our general entry requirements.
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course please consider our FdSc Sound Engineering & Design course.
For September 2011 and January 2012 entry:
260 UCAS points from at least two, but preferably three, A2-levels (or equivalent) including one engineering, electronics or physical science subject AND one from mathematics, music or a technology-based subject.
You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent) including mathematics and English.
You may be required to attend for interview.
Please also read our general entry requirements.
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course please consider our FdSc Sound Engineering & Design course. |
| Tuition fees | Please contact Student Data Management Fees Enquiries on +44 (0)1204 903406 or +44 (0)1204 903059 for details. |
| Additional costs | Pro Tools training manuals by Digidesign.
You will be responsible for paying your travelling costs. |
| Awarding body | University of Bolton |
| Locations | On average over the duration of the course you will spend 2 or 3 days per week at the School of Sound Recording and 1 day per week at the University of Bolton.
University of Bolton:
Deane Campus, Deane Road, Bolton, BL3 5AB
School of Sound Recording:
Ina Centre, 65-69 Downing Street, Manchester, M1 7JE
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About the course
During the first year the fundamentals of sound systems, studio principles and associated professional software will be taught in a highly hands-on manner. In the second year you will begin studying the theoretical concepts of electronic systems and signals. To gain a wider experience of the applications of sound engineering, you will also be able to choose an optional module from radio and TV programming, video post-production, or advanced audio studio techniques. In the final year your understanding and design abilities in audio electronic and digital signal processing systems will be further developed and enhanced. Business issues relevant to the digital media industries will also be covered as well as a large, technical project.
What you will learn
In addition to acquiring specific studio skills for sound engineering, you will develop analysis and design abilities for audio engineering systems. These will include the ability to analyse electronic circuits, signals and electronic systems, to technically evaluate new, proprietary sound engineering equipment and systems and to design solutions to audio engineering problems.
Recognised, key transferable skills are also embedded in the course. These include written and presentational skills, analytical reasoning, inter-personal skills and self-management.
We use a wide variety of learning methodologies including studio sessions, demonstrations, activity-based assignments and electronics and computer laboratory work. Assessments may include formal examinations, assignments, small projects, tests (practical and written), demonstrations or viva as appropriate.
What you will study
Level 1
Core modules: Core Skills; Sound in Context; Electronic Music -Theory and Practice; The Science of Sound and the Recording Chain; Studio Techniques; Introduction to Synthesis and MIDI; Digital Sound Production.
Level 2
Core modules: Electrical and Electronic Principles; Post-production Techniques; Studio Design; Electronic Composition; Signal Analysis. Option modules (choose 1): Radio and TV Programming; Video Post-production; Advanced Audio Studio Techniques.
Level 3
Core modules: Audio Electronic Systems; Digital Signal Processing for Audio Systems; Business Issues of Digital Media; Project. Option modules (choose 1): Post-production Techniques (music or video); Live Sound and PA Design.
The final year project is a major undertaking and counts as a double module. Students have a personal supervisor to support them in their investigations. Typically, students perform some design/constructional task which involves an element of research.
Special features
- The University of Bolton has a long tradition of teaching undergraduates in electrical and electronic engineering.
- Research and development topics undertaken by staff span electronic instrumentation for industrial and medical applications, sensors, control engineering and digital signal processing.
- More recently research has begun in the field of physics engines for computer games.
- Our partner organisation, the School of Sound Recording in Manchester, having been a commercial recording studio and training school for 25 years, has a large list of studio contacts around the North West. These include local radio and TV as well as concert halls, theatres and digital media companies.
- The School of Sound Recording also has national and international links with the major audio engineering equipment manufacturers. These links mean that new technical developments and trends in the industry become known immediately to the tutoring team and often state-of-the-art equipment is available for student use shortly after its release.
Careers and professional development
Career opportunities exist in many areas of sound production. Examples include audio engineer, studio designer, sound designer, production mixer and sound recordist. In addition, having studied the theoretical and design aspects of audio system engineering, you may opt to undertake developmental work in some aspect of audio engineering systems.
Employment opportunities exist in TV and radio broadcasting, recording studios, multimedia and new media firms, film and computer games production companies, and audio systems manufacturers.
After graduation, and once you have gained appropriate experience in your field of employment, you may wish to become a member of a professional society. Two well-regarded societies are the Audio Engineering Society (visit http://www.aes.org/) and the Institute of Acoustics (visit http://www.ioa.org.uk/). Their web pages describe the scope of each society and the entry requirements for the different grades of membership.
Professional recognition
While studying towards this degree you will also have the opportunity to be assessed for the internationally recognised qualifications in ProTools by Digidesign (www.digidesign.com).
Related courses
Open days
Go to our Visit Us webpages to find out about our Open Days and Courses Advice Days.
Further Information
For an informal discussion and further details about the course please contact:
Brennan Tighe
(Programme Leader)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903556
E-mail: B.Tighe@bolton.ac.uk
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