OLET1801: Semester 1, 2025
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Unit outline_

OLET1801: Music Theory and Notation Essentials

Semester 1, 2025 [Online] - Sydney

This Online Learning Environment unit (OLE) provides a grounding in music notation and music theory. It is aimed at students with no background in music, but also caters for students with some background in music who are looking to refresh their skills. Course material starts with the absolute basics and progresses quickly. An understanding of how music theory works is extremely useful to a range of diverse disciplines that engage with music: game and user interface designers, film and drama studies students, and those who have learnt musical practice from an aural rather than notated tradition, such as contemporary popular musicians and singers.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points 2
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
MUSC1503 or MUSC1504 or MCGY1008
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Natalie Nicolas, natalie.nicolas@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam OLET1801 in person
Final exam for OLET1801. This is an in person exam (not online)
60% April exam week 50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small continuous assessment AI Allowed Multiple Assessed Mini Assignments
17 Mini assignments due across the three corresponding assignments weeks.
10% Multiple weeks 17 Mini assignments
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Attendance hurdle task Participation
Participation in 4 of 4 tutorials - participation mandatory for passing.
10% Multiple weeks 4 x 1hr tutorials.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small continuous assessment AI Allowed Week 2 quiz
Quiz on week 2 content and #earlyfeedbacktask
6.7% Week 03
Due date: 14 Mar 2025 at 23:59
17 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Small continuous assessment AI Allowed Week 3 quiz
Quiz on week 3 content
6.7% Week 04
Due date: 21 Mar 2025 at 23:59
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment AI Allowed Week 4 quiz
Quiz on week 4 content
6.6% Week 05
Due date: 28 Mar 2025 at 23:59
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Please complete all set tasks. The final exam is a hurdle task, which means you must pass it in order to pass this Unit of Study. 

Assessment criteria

All assessments are marked according to the accuracy of the answers provided.

For this unit, students receive a grade of Satisfied requirements (SR) or Failed requirements (FR).

This unit is marked on the basis of Pass / Fail where students are awarded a grade of Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements as set out in this table.

Result name

Mark range

Description

Satisfied requirements 

50 - 100

The learning outcomes of the unit of study have been met to a satisfactory standard. 

Failed requirements

0 - 49

The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Standard University penalties apply to late submission of work.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Week 1 lecture Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 1 tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 02 Week 2 lecture Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 2 tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 03 Week 3 lecture Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 3 tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 04 Week 4 lecture Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 4 tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 05 Week 5 lecture Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 5 tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.
  • Pass/Fail: This course has a pass/fail final grading as of 2025. This means there is no distinction, high distinction, credit, etc. Students will not get a mark, only a grade - either:
    • SR (satisfied requirements)
    • FR (Failed requirements)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All resources are provided on the Canvas site.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. read basic pitch notation that uses treble and bass clefs
  • LO2. understand the principles of rhythmic notation that uses time signatures
  • LO3. identify some basic musical elements which may include intervals, major and minor scales and triads, from notation and aurally
  • LO4. understand the basics of how a musical score works
  • LO5. understand some of the history behind basic music notation and theory

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

N/A

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 28 Feb 2025.

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