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Music, Audio Engineering and Recording Arts

Minor

Delivery Options

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Fall 2027 Deadline

Priority: November 1
Regular: January 15
Late: April 1

Apply Now Contact Admissions Team

Department

Arts and Social Sciences

Why Music, Audio Engineering and Recording Arts Minor?

Sound is where creativity and technology come together. The Music, Audio Engineering and Recording Arts minor at Colorado School of Mines gives you a structured way to explore how music, sound and recording technologies work together in real-world applications like music production, film, gaming and digital media.

Housed in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences department, the minor complements technical majors by combining artistic expression with hands-on audio skills. You will learn not just how sound works in theory, but how it is recorded, edited and shaped using industry-standard tools.

This minor is a strong fit if you are curious about how sound is created and want to understand both the creative and technical sides of audio. It prepares you to bridge artistic goals and technical execution, which is an advantage in media, entertainment and engineering-adjacent fields.

Program Overview

The Music, Audio Engineering and Recording Arts minor combines coursework in music, sound recording and audio technology. You will learn how sound behaves, how recording systems work and how artistic choices influence the final product. Courses emphasize listening skills, technical fundamentals and hands-on practice.

You will develop technical literacy in audio tools while strengthening creativity, collaboration and communication. When you graduate, you will bring a unique blend of technical understanding and artistic perspective that adds range and versatility to your bachelor’s degree.

Program Options

This minor combines the science of sound with the study of music to help you understand both how audio works and how it is shaped creatively.

  • You will gain hands-on experience with recording and production tools, applying what you learn in practical settings. The program also culminates in a capstone project that brings these skills together.
  • You can further tailor the minor by choosing coursework that focuses more on music theory or performance, depending on your interests.

Minor/Major Pairings

Electrical Engineering:

Audio engineering connects naturally to circuits, signals and electronics. This pairing supports work involving sound systems, hardware design and signal processing.

Computer Science:

Combining audio and computing strengthens skills related to digital audio, software tools and interactive media.

Mechanical Engineering:

This pairing adds insight into acoustics, vibration and system design, supporting work where sound and physical systems intersect.

Experiential Opportunities

This image shows a symphony conductor in a black suit directing an orchestra from behind a wooden music stand.

Experiential learning is central to this minor. Courses often include performance, recording projects and studio-based assignments where you apply concepts in real settings. You gain experience working with microphones, recording software and mixing techniques while collaborating with peers.

You may also participate in ensembles, performances or student-led creative projects that bring music and audio concepts to life. These experiences build confidence, teamwork and practical skills while giving you a creative outlet alongside your technical coursework.

World-Class Labs, Centers and Facilities

A female Mines student working in a recording studio featuring a wooden desk setup with multiple monitors, speakers and an MIDI keyboard controller.
Multimedia Production Studio

You will have access to a dedicated multimedia studio in the Arthur Lakes Library that includes professional-grade audio recording and editing equipment. This space allows you to record, mix and produce audio projects, as well as work with video and other digital media.

Mines student string quartet performing together in a large room.
Audio and recording tools

The program emphasizes learning through experience with industry-standard software and equipment used for recording, editing and producing sound. These tools are integrated into coursework so you can apply concepts in real-world production settings.

Mines Student focused on playing a Squier electric guitar during a live performance
Performance and rehearsal spaces

In addition to studio work, students can engage with music through ensembles and performance opportunities on campus, using rehearsal spaces and shared music facilities to develop practical musicianship alongside technical skills.

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