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ACADEMICS

Courses

UCSB's Online Schedule of Classes:

To search for a course at UCSB, or obtain a list of courses by department, use the online Schedule of Classes.

MAT Schedule of Classes - Fall 2025

Week View

Graduate Courses

Course
Day
Time
Location
Course Code

MAT 200A

Arts & Technology

4 units

Instructor: G. Legrady

TR
1pm - 2:50pm
Elings 2611
29892

Description

Overview of the digital media arts field with an emphasis on technological developments and their integration in art research and production. Students are introduced to contemporary and historical directions and methodologies through seminar lectures, research presentation, and a final project.

MAT 201A

Media Signal Processing

4 units

Instructor: K. Yerkes

TR
10am - 11:50pm
Elings 2003
59238

Description

This course focuses on practical tools for processing data that might be part of some artwork or music composition. We use/learn the Python Notebook stack (NumPy, SciPy, matplotlib) to analyze, synthesize and transform sounds, images, movies, and other sensor data (e.g., EMG, IMU, screen-time activity logs, radio telescope data). Students create notebooks and write Python for homework and for their final project.

The concepts and algorithms explored include the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), the Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT), Sonification, the Phase Vocoder (PV), Sinusoidal Modeling, Digital Filters, Linear regression, Basic Machine Learning, and more (or less) depending on the pace we keep. We won't go deep into the mathematics of all this, but I will talk about it and if you are interested, we can go there.

For the first 5-7 weeks we will assign programming homework and readings. After that, each student will work on a final project while lectures refocus on challenges that come up in projects.

MAT 236

Computational Systems for Visual Art and Design

4 units

Instructor: J. Jacobs

MW
3:30pm-4:45pm
Elings Hall 2003
59246

Description

Computational systems of rules, relationships, and behaviors can extend traditional art and design practices or support new creative workflows. We will explore the creation of computational systems for visual art and design. We will use creative coding platforms and algorithms to create visual works that are flexible, dynamic, and generative. In the process, we will touch on the design philosophy and abstractions of existing creative coding platforms and examine methods to create alternatives. Students learn basic approaches to modify creative programming languages and frameworks or develop new software interfaces for visual expression. Technical production will be complemented by readings on computational art and design theory.

MAT 240A

Digital Audio Programming

4 units

Instructor: K. Yerkes

WF
10am - 11:50pm
Elings Hall 2003
29900

Description

Audio programming can take many forms. We require different tools and practices for artistic projects versus scientific research versus commercial applications. This course will present an overview of many audio programming languages and systems, exploring what they have in common and what makes each unique. We cover selected aspects of programming language design, domain-specific languages, metaprogramming, and software development environments as they relate to audio. We compare and contrast a curated set of languages and systems, including SuperCollider, Max, Puredata, FAUST, ChucK, Gibber, Python, C++, Rust, etc. Each student proceeds through stages of development such as sketching, research, prototyping, and implementation and then demonstrates their open-source software / creative project.

For the first 5-7 weeks I will assign programming homework and readings. After that, each student will work on a final project while lectures refocus on challenges that come up in projects. Learn an audio programming language!

MAT 240A is a part of a three-quarter series of practical programming courses. Students develop audio apps using state-of-the-art methods and tools such as c++, Max, SuperCollider, javascript, and rust. See also MAT 240B and MAT 240C.

MAT 240C

Digital Audio Programming

4 units

Instructor: K. Yerkes

TR
10am - 11:50pm
Elings Hall 2003
228522

Description

Audio programming can take many forms. We require different tools and practices for artistic projects versus scientific research versus commercial applications. This course will present an overview of many audio programming languages and systems, exploring what they have in common and what makes each unique. We cover selected aspects of programming language design, domain-specific languages, metaprogramming, and software development environments as they relate to audio. We compare and contrast a curated set of languages and systems, including SuperCollider, Max, Puredata, FAUST, ChucK, Gibber, Python, C++, Rust, etc. Each student proceeds through stages of development such as sketching, research, prototyping, and implementation and then demonstrates their open-source software / creative project.

For the first 5-7 weeks I will assign programming homework and readings. After that, each student will work on a final project while lectures refocus on challenges that come up in projects. Learn an audio programming language!

MAT 240C is a part of a three-quarter series of practical programming courses. Students develop audio apps using state-of-the-art methods and tools such as c++, Max, SuperCollider, javascript, and rust. See also MAT 240A and MAT 240B.

MAT 261A

Transvergence Seminar I

4 units

Instructor: M. Novak

W
2-5pm
Elings Hall 2615
29926

Description

Artistic, philosophical, scientific, and technical foundations of transdisciplinarity, transmodality, and Transvergence. New conceptions of actual, virtual, and informational space and form. Trans-Euclidean geometry, from Gauss to present. Emergence and immanence in algorithmic poetics and information aesthetics. Models of physical, biological, and social complex systems. Worldmaking and epistemology.

MAT 261B

Transvergence Studio I

4 units

Instructor: M. Novak

W
5:30pm-8:30pm
Elings Hall 2615
29934

MAT 265

Open Projects in Optical/Motion - Computational Processes

4 units

Instructor: G. Legrady

TR
3:30pm-5:20pm
Elings Hall 2611
59279

Description

Student defined research projects course focused on optical, or other imaging/sensing device interfaced with a computer such as anamorphs, experiments in multiple exposure, spatial & virtual exploration, distance/presence, reflection and penetration (x-ray, infrared, medical (MRI, PET), etc.

MAT 276IA

Direct Digital Synthesis - Processing and Composition

4 units

Instructor: J. Kuchera-Morin

MW
10-11:50am
Elings 2611
59295

Description

First quarter of general purpose computing for computer music applications. Topics include: music synthesis using computer programs, and score input programs.

MAT 276LA

Digital Audio Montage

2 units

Instructor: J P Oliveira

T
3pm-4:50pm
NH 1105
29942

Description

First quarter of a three-quarter sequence course concentrates on multi-track recording, mixing, digital signal processing, and studio based composition

MAT 293

Internship in Industry

1-4 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
29959

Description

Special projects for selected students. Offered in conjunction with selected industrial and research under direct faculty supervision. Prior departmental approval required.

MAT 299

Independent Study

4 units

Instructor: TBD

TBD
TBD
TBD
29967

Description

Independent research under the guidance of a faculty member in the department. Offers an opportunity to qualified students to undertake independent research or work in a group laboratory in digital media arts and technology.

MAT 502

Teaching in MAT

1-4 units

Instructor: TBD

TBD
TBD
TBD
29975

MAT 594CE

CREATE Ensemble

1-4 units

Instructor: K. Yerkes

F
2pm-4:50pm
Elings 2816
29983

Description

Hands on practical approach to composition, improvisation, critique, refinement, and research dedicated to live performance.

Open to laptops, new interfaces for artistic expression, audiovisual art, live coding, local and/or wide area networked performance, interactive dance, music for acoustic and electronic instruments, performance art, trans-categorical live performance, etc.

Prerequisite: graduate standing in MAT or Music or consent of instructor; students are expected to contribute some combination of technical development, composition, and/or performance skills. Optionally, take in conjunction with independent study for related research.

We will prepare one structured improvisation for the entire group and several smaller pieces according to our resources. Will discuss many potential venues on and off campus for events.

MAT 594ST

Special Topics in Soft Robotics

1-4 units

Instructor: E. Hawkes

MW
2pm - 3:15pm
ENGR 22226
59311

MAT 595M

Media Arts and Technology Seminar Series

1 unit

Instructor: M. Novak

M
1-2:30pm
Elings 2003
30007

Description

A weekly writing, theory and guest lectures seminar, focused on research topics of interest to the wide fields at the intersection of media arts and technology. The seminar is organized in topical modules, covering writing methodologies, media theory, philosophy and critique.

MAT 596

Directed Research

2-12 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
30015

MAT 597

Individual Study, PhD exams

1-12 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
30023

MAT 598

Master's Thesis/Project Research

1-12 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
30031

MAT 599

PhD Dissertation Research and Preparation

1-12 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
30049

Miscellaneous

M - Monday,  T - Tuesday,  W - Wednesday,  R - Thursday,  F - Friday.

Choose your electives from Art, Computer Science, ECE, and Music, then have them approved by the instructor.

Instructor Codes: T. Höllerer (27), J. Jacobs (02), J. Kuchera-Morin (33), G. Legrady (09), M. Novak (03), F. Offert (12), M. Peljhan (11), K. Yerkes (21).