The Bachelor of Music degree, a four-year program, is intended for students who wish to become professional musicians or continue further study in music at the graduate level. You can also view this degree plan on the Rice University website here.
Degree Requirements
Music Theory:
MUSI 211 Theory I
MUSI 212 Theory II
MUSI 311 Theoretical Studies III
MUSI 312 Theoretical Studies IV
Plus one of the following:
MUSI 315 Multi-Media Composition
MUSI 378 Classical, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Asian Music
MUSI 403 Basic Electronic Music
MUSI 404 Electronic Music Composition
MUSI 405 Music Business and Law
MUSI 416 Orchestration
MUSI 417 Music for Media
MUSI 512 Analytical Systems
MUSI 513 Modal Counterpoint
MUSI 514 Score Reading
MUSI 517 Early Modern Masters
MUSI 613 Tonal Counterpoint
MUSI 617 Music Since 1950
Aural Skills and Performance Techniques:
MUSI 231 Aural Skills and Performance Technique I
MUSI 232 Aural Skills and Performance Technique II
MUSI 331 Aural Skills and Performance Technique III
MUSI 332 Aural Skills and Performance Technique IV
Music History:
MUSI 222 Medieval & Renaissance Eras
MUSI 321 Baroque & Early Classical Eras
MUSI 322 Classical & Romantic Eras
MUSI 421 The Modern Era
Individual and Ensemble Study:
MUSI 463 Trumpet for Majors - 8 semesters
MUSI 337 Undergraduate Orchestra - 8 semesters
MUSI 338 Chamber Music - 4 semesters
Recitals:
MUSI 341 Junior Recital
MUSI 441 Senior Recital
Piano proficiency exam
Additional University Requirements - partial list*
FWIS 1XX First-Year Writing-Intensive Seminar – 3 hours**
Complete one Lifetime Physical Activity Program (PE) – 1 semester
UNIV 194 CTIS Workshop or LPAP 195 Critical Thinking in Sexuality, UNIV 195 CDOD Workshop (Critical Dialogues on Diversity)
Analyzing Diversity course
Distribution Credit Courses (9 courses). NOTE: 3 courses of at least 3 credit hours each are required in each Group:
Group I – Humanities (3 courses)
Group II – Social Sciences (3 courses)
Group III – Natural Sciences and Engineering (3 courses)
Students are responsible for making certain that their plan of study meets all degree and major requirements. Please visit the Undergraduate Students section of the General Announcements for additional information regarding University and Distribution Requirements: http://ga.rice.edu.
**All students must take the English Composition Examination prior to matriculating. Students who fail the English Composition Exam (or fail to take it) must successfully complete FWIS 100 during their first semester, and prior to enrolling in the FWIS course used to meet the graduation requirement. FWIS 100 cannot be used to meet the FWIS graduation requirement.
To graduate from Rice University’s bachelor degree program, all students must complete at least 120 semester hours (some degree programs require more than 120 hours).
This degree plan was updated August 2024 and is intended for the 2024-25 academic year.