The Department of Music at UCI is a dynamic center of excellence that has at its heart the mission of the University of California as a public-serving institution. The expertise of our faculty spans a wide range of music stylistically, chronologically, and geographically including Persian music, Jazz, Karnatic music and South Indian dance; African-American music, the historic silk road, European art music from the 17th century to the present, popular music, hip-hop, electronic music, and music technology. We equip students with the skills necessary to understand a wide variety of musical practices, and to interrogate musical material and modes of research through an array of critical lenses. Our undergraduate degrees (B.A. and B.Mus.) offer strong foundations in both practical and intellectual approaches to music, and allow our students to develop skills to think critically about music. Our graduate programs provide students with the opportunity to work closely with scholars, performers, and creative practitioners of international standing, while also encouraging independent practice and research.