Music & Sound Fundamentals 1A

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
MUSI 1003
Course ID icon
Course ID
204272
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Elder Con Mus & Sch Perf Arts
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Stephen Whittington
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

Music and Sound Fundamentals 1A involves the theoretical and aural examination of musical concepts relevant to the fields of Sonic Arts, Sound Engineering and Music Production. Specifically, the course enables students to develop an understanding of the connections between the physical nature of sound and listening, while developing skills in music theory and aural that are relevant to audio professionals. A range of concepts are introduced, including the physics of sound, physiology of hearing and basic critical listening. These concepts are connected with the fundamentals of music theory including pitch, rhythm, texture and melody. By the conclusion of the course, students will have acquired a solid understanding of basic music theory concepts and developed skills in their application to music production. In addition, students will have developed an appreciation of the importance of listening and acquired basic critical listening skills that can be applied to studio situations.

Course learning outcomes

  • Understanding of the fundamental principles of sound from the perspective of physics, psychoacoustics, cognition and psychology.
  • Understanding of how the physical perceptual and cognitive aspects of sound shape music and the human response to music
  • Ability to distinguish between various modes of description of sound and the ability to use appropriate vocabularies according to the context
  • Ability to apply understanding of acoustic and auditory aspects of sound to research

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 24318
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 60
Available
Available 58
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 9:10am - 10am Adelaide City Campus East MyUni, Online
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 9:10am - 10am Adelaide City Campus East MyUni, Online
Class number
Class number 24317
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 406
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 406
Notes:
Available to Music students only

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed MUSONIC1001 Music & Sound Fundamentals 1A at the University of Adelaide

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.