Where: Department of Music, NUI Maynooth

Course duration: 1 year (H Dip) or 2 years (MA)

Entry requirements: primary degree, preferably in music (in general, a solid music background is expected).

Number admitted to the course: 12

Target group: Composition students and musicians in general with a keen interest in applications of technology (in particular, music technology).

Course content: The course covers the basic theory and practice of computer music and sound technology in the first year (H Dip). After first year, students have the option of leaving with the H Dip. Admission to second year is subject to academic performance. In the second year, students specialise in one or more areas of computer music such as digital audio, man-machine interaction, electronic music composition and multimedia.

How long has the course been running? two years

Why was it introduced? To provide music graduates (and graduates from other areas with a solid music background) an opportunity to study the use of technology from a musical perspective. Music technology courses elsewhere tend to focus on the technical aspects, whereas in NUI Maynooth the artistic aspects of the area dominate the course programme, according to the course co-ordinator.

How does the H Dip work? The H Dip in music technology is year one of NUI Maynooth's two-year master's degree in computer music.

Dr Victor Lazzarini, course coordinator, says: "It is being taught in the new state-of-the-art music technology laboratory, which includes a purpose-built recording studio. This degree programme was introduced in 1999.

"The main thrust of this new course is the study of advanced computer technology applications in musical composition and sound processing, as well as training in basic aspects of music technology such as sound recording and production. It is indicative of our commitment here at NUI Maynooth to playing a vital national role in the development of our burgeoning music technology industry."

Job prospects for graduates: Electronic composition; multimedia design and authoring; sound recording production and engineering; music software design; interdisciplinary research and further academic work.

Costs: This course has been funded by the EU advanced skills conversion programme. The fees are £690 per annum.

Contact: Dr Victor Lazzarini, tel (01) 708 3545; e-mail: Victor.Lazzarini@may.ie;

Website: http://www.may.ie/academic/music/musictec. This includes the distribution of free software developed at the lab, examples of some of the music produced by staff and students, and some more information about courses and facilities.