CREATIVE CODING B - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module is designed to further extend the creative coding skills developed in the Creative Coding A module. After a period of revision and consolidation, students are encouraged to develop their own computer music projects with the assistance of the module lecturer. The module introduces the possibilities of bespoke compositional environments that interface with other hardware and software music systems. Using such systems for live performance is also an area of exploration in the module.

Module provider

Music & Media

Module Leader

HALL Thomas (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): 28

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

CMT2010 Creative Coding A 

Module content

Indicative content includes:
- Advanced programming techniques, including software externals, data flow, control data handling, DSP for audio
- Advanced algorithmic techniques for computer composition
- Interactive control using external hardware
- Advanced interfacing with third-party software

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their learning, creative and technical musical knowledge in the context of computer music programming that follows on at more advanced level than in Creative Coding A.

Summative assessment for this module consists of a creative coding music portfolio (addresses learning outcomes 1-6). The portfolio format is considered most effective here as it allows students to demonstrate a range of interconnected creative coding skills.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment in this module is intended to help students monitor their learning and ensure they are ready to work on the summative assessments. Students work on weekly technical tasks, elements of which may be developed further as part of their summative assessment submissions.

Feedback

Weekly tasks undertaken by students are shared in class and will receive verbal as well as written feedback as necessary. Weekly seminars include regular integrated individual tutorial time for general guidance and formative feedback. Individual tutorials are also available as required upon request for additional feedback.

Module aims

• - To build on existing coding skills for musical composition
• - To develop knowledge and practice of algorithms for music
• - To enhance techniques for live performance, compositional systems and interfacing with other systems
• - To allow students to develop their own music programming projects
• - To further develop awareness and appreciation of contemporary computer-based compositional practice and aesthetics

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to create a series of seminars and workshops covering technical, aesthetic and creative skills to advance students compositional programming knowledge and abilities beyond that reached in Creative Coding A.

The learning and teaching methods include weekly seminars, interactive learning materials, regular individual exercises, group exercises and coursework and feedback. A particular feature of the module is the provision of detailed coding examples which function as learning aids and initial models for the students' own creative investigations.

Group discussions and peer feedback help test and develop students understanding of the module content. Supporting materials on SurreyLearn and elsewhere as appropriate supplement the learning that occurs during the weekly seminars.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: CMT3013

Other information

The Department of Music and Media is committed to developing graduates with attributes encompassing employability, digital skills, global and culture awareness, sustainability as it relates to music and the wider arts and, finally, resourcefulness and resilience.

Employability

This module helps develop key employability skills, especially relevant to current industry practices in the creative industries. These include strong employability skills within area of creative computer programming. Transferable skills developed include those related more generally to programmatic thinking and systems design.

Digital capabilities

As is the case with other modules in the Creative Music Technology programme, our focus and ways of working inherently involve digital capabilities, using computers with specialist software for digital audio. During the course of this module you will learn new digital workflows involving graphic programming using specialist software in the digital audio domain.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.