Please note:

To view the Spring 2025 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/spring.

School for the Contemporary Arts | Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology Simon Fraser University Calendar | Summer 2025

Music and Sound Extended Minor

Those who wish a bachelor of arts (BA) general degree, by completing an extended minor, are directed to the music and sound extended minor. A balanced introduction to contemporary composition and creative music making is supplied at the lower division, with a less concentrated experience at the upper division. This minor may be used for teaching in the public and private school system.

Admission Requirements

Program and course admission is contingent upon University admission. Contact Student Services for admission procedures, requirements and deadlines. Entry to all programs in the School for the Contemporary Arts is by audition, interview or application. Contact the school’s office for information on procedures and deadlines or visit our website.

Although the University operates on a trimester system, most CA courses are planned in a two term (fall and spring) sequence. Consequently, students enter in the fall term (September) and are advised to contact the school in the preceding January for program entry and requirements information.

Students may apply for admission to the Music and Sound Extended Minor after completing CA 140, 143, 144, and achieving a B (or higher) in CA 145 and CA 146.

A minimum 2.4 SCA GPA and 2.0 CGPA is required to remain in good standing in the program.

Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing

Unassigned or general elective (type 2 and 3, respectively) transfer credit awarded for courses completed at other recognized post-secondary institutions will not automatically entitle students to advanced standing in the school’s programs. Advanced standing is generally given on an individual basis as a result of an audition or interview.

About the School’s Course Offerings

Students are encouraged to take advantage of interdisciplinary offerings within the school. As many programs depend on a continuing sequence of courses completed in order, students should plan carefully to gain the maximum benefit and efficiency from their study. Note that not all courses are offered every term and several are offered on a rotational basis, i.e. every third or fourth term. An advisor is available to help plan study programs.

Students are reminded that the school is an interdisciplinary contemporary arts department, and are strongly advised to acquaint themselves with the many disciplinary courses that are available.

Special Topics Courses

The subject matter (and prerequisites) of special or selected topics courses vary by term.

Prior Approval Prerequisite

Where a prerequisite is or includes ‘prior approval,’ approval must be obtained before enrolling in the course. Contact the school for further information.

Program Requirements

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum total of 45 units, including

Two core courses below

CA 186 - Art and the Moving Image (3)
CA 285 - Interdisciplinary Studio - Composition/Collaboration (3)

and all of

CA 140 - Contexts in Creative Music and Sound Practice (3)
CA 143 - Sound Fundamentals I (3)
CA 144 - Sound Fundamentals II (3)
CA 145 - Creative Sound Studio I (3)
CA 146 - Creative Sound Studio II (3)
CA 240 - Soundbox I (3)
CA 245 - Creative Sound Studio III (3)
CA 246 - Creative Sound Studio IV (3)
CA 247 - Creative Electronics Lab I (3)

and two of

CA 241 - Creative Coding Lab (3)
CA 242 - Creative Ensemble Lab I (3)
CA 243 - Gamelan I (3)
CA 249 - Selected Topics in Music and Sound I (3)

and one additional CA studio course from outside the extended minor

and one additional CA history course from outside the extended minor.

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum total of 15 units, including three of

CA 315 - Sound Art: History and Concepts (4)
CA 340 - Creative Ensemble Lab II (3)
CA 341 - Music and Culture (3)
CA 342 - Ensemble in Residence Lab (3)
CA 343 - Gamelan II (3)
CA 344 - Thinking and Writing About Sound (3)
CA 345 - Creative Sound Studio V (4)
CA 346 - Creative Sound Studio VI (4)
CA 347 - Creative Electronics Lab II (3)
CA 349 - Selected Topics in Music II (3)
CA 386 - Film Music: An Overview of the Relationship between Music and Moving Pictures (3)
CA 440 - Soundbox II (3)
CA 445 - Senior Project I (5)
CA 446 - Senior Project II (5)
CA 448 - Solo Performer and Electronics Lab (3)
CA 449 - Installation/Sound Art Lab (3)

and six additional units in upper division CA courses. Additional music and sound courses may be used to fulfil this requirement.

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.

WQB Graduation Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit

Requirement

Units

Notes
W - Writing

6

Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each)

Q - Quantitative

6

Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more)
B - Breadth

18

Designated Breadth

Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division:

Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc
Two courses (total six units or more) Humanities: B-Hum
Two courses (total six units or more) Sciences: B-Sci

6

Additional Breadth

Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements).

Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.