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MUS10190

Academic Year 2026/2027

Music Theory 1 (MUS10190)

Subject:
Music
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Music
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Conor Power
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces students to concepts of melody, triads, voice-leading, and orchestration. The module examines the convergence of harmony and melody in four-part vocal chorales, and asks students to arrange a contemporary tune for a vocal choral. The module culminates with classes on orchestral writing, wherein students consider orchestration and texture, and arrange a familiar melody for a small ensemble. Lectures will be supplemented by weekly tutorials in music theory, wherein student are encouraged to put theoretical principles into practice. Students will have weekly keyboard harmony classes (labs).

Students who wish to take this module should note that musical literacy and a solid knowledge of intervals, scales and key signatures are required. Students should have taken MUS 10020 or MUS 10210 beforehand.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
- demonstrate a thorough knowledge of diatonic harmony and voice-leading
- explain and analyse the basic elements of tonal music
- harmonise a chorale melody in four-voices
- analyse and realise figured bass
- analyse a short orchestral score and arrange/reduce it for piano or small ensemble
- demonstrate basic keyboard skills

Indicative Module Content:

Chapters 3 to 15 of Burstein & Straus, Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony (New York & London: W. W. Norton, 2025).

— Figured bass harmonisation
— SATB chorale composition
— Voice-leading analysis
— Fundamentals of diatonic harmony
— Using notation software (such as Musescore)
— Alto and tenor clefs
— Transposing instruments
— Orchestral textures and timbres
— Reduction and arrangement of small musical scores
— Basic keyboard skills

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Novice

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Novice

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Novice

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Novice

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

12
Laboratories

12
Specified Learning Activities

36
Autonomous Student Learning

16
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Weekly lectures and small group tutorials.
Formative assessment through assignments during tutorials
Summative assessment through graded assignments and feedback from tutors
Autonomous engagement with online textbook resources
Practical learning in keyboard harmony groups

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Completing MUS10210 (Musicianship) in Autumn is highly recommended for any student who needs to strengthen their skills in reading music notation and the basic elements of music theory before attempting this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Take home assessment (hard copy submission) Week 8 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Score reduction (online submission) Week 15 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Keyboard Assessment (by tutor) Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Online MCQ Quiz Week 5 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Attendance at lectures and tutorials is essential to progression in this module. Feedback will be provided individually and to the group within tutorials. Individual feedback is also available from the module coordinator during weekly office hours. Students are also encouraged to engage with the self-assessment activities available in the textbook and its online resources.

Chapters 3 to 15 of Burstein & Straus, Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony (New York & London: W. W. Norton, 2025).

Graded Keyboard Musicianship Book 1, Anne Marsden Thomas, Frederick Stocken, 2017, Oxford University Press

Name Role
Ms Aoife Murphy Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 15 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 18 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 2 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 3 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 4 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 5 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 6 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 7 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 11 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 12 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 13 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 15 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 16 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
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