Course Catalogue

The FdSc Sound Engineering and Music Production programme is intended to produce graduates able to critically evaluate sound & music production and to operate effectively in technical areas of live or recorded entertainment industries. The programme aims to develop knowledge and understanding in appropriate areas of sound recording, electronics, and digital recording technology, together with a range of widening activities of relevance to live or recorded entertainment in associated modes of media content creation. The objectives of the programme are that graduates should be able to: - Use a combination of general and specialist knowledge and understanding in the context of existing and emerging sound recording technology and allied media formats - Apply appropriate practical methods to commission, operate or maintain products, equipment, processes or services in the context of live or recorded entertainment. - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of content creation and capture, technical operations and commercial management - Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills - Demonstrate an understanding of professional standards and recognise obligations to society, the profession and the environment. - Encourage students to fully engage with the World of Work programme. Additionally for sandwich students: The aim is to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give the students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study, as well as attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment.

Core knowledge and understanding is acquired mainly through practical fieldwork, lectures, laboratories and tutorials. Web-based or other open learning resources are also used in some modules. Group work is important in some modules. Development of the student as independent learner is achieved via directed and independent learning approaches within modules. Work based learning and graduate skills development are incorporated into the programme to provide a vocational element. Promoted by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussions and other work, and assignment tasks. Use of case studies and other 'work-based learning' such as guest lecturers, industry visits, at all levels. By examination and coursework. Courseworks include media presentations, portfolio assessment; individual written reports; group reports. Examination questions may be based on case studies to develop students' ability to apply theory to practice. Assignment includes practical tasks (such as studio operations) and oral/written reports of work carried out. Practical work is carried out in studio, class and/or as assignment tasks. Industrial visits and guest lecturers are also used to provide additional work-based learning opportunities. In this way the relevance of theory to practice is developed to a strong extent. The final year project provides opportunity for these skills to be developed to a high level. Assignment such as portfolios, oral and written reports. Some assessment of practical skills may take place in examinations e.g. where appraisal of the use of a tool/technique is required; or where tools/techniques are applied to case study examples. Practical work is carried out in studio, class and/or as assignment tasks. Some modules are supported by open-learning resources etc. Key skills are developed in particular at Level 4 through professional development , and production work, further enhanced at Level 5 with entrepreneur work, and recording opportunities.

Industry standard hardware and software, and real life case studies are used throughout the programme. Industry processes and practices are also used and taught.