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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 - Spring 2025

Week View

Graduate Courses

Course
Day
Time
Location
Course Code

MAT 200B

Music & Technology

4 units

Instructor: J. Kuchera-Morin, S. Ahn

MW
10am - 11:50am
Elings 2003
28498

Description

Overview of music and technology, including historical aspects. Readings and exercises with a range of music software applications. Basics of Internet audio and evolving media, music production, business, technical, and aesthetic aspects.

MAT 200C

Digital Media Technology and Engineering

4 units

Instructor: K. Yerkes

F
10am-12:50pm
Elings 2003
54684

Description

This course surveys pattern formation mechanisms. Many complex visual phenomena can be generated from less than 100 lines of code, such as the Mandelbrot set, reaction-diffusion, and the Lorenz attractor. We will study and implement a variety of these phenomena.

MAT 201B

Computing with Media Data

4 units

Instructor: K. Yerkes

TR
1pm - 2:50pm
Elings Hall 2003
54700

Description

This course is a hands-on introduction to developing interactive audiovisual applications for full-surround virtual environments. We explore selected aspects of 3D graphics, computer networking, interaction, simulation, animation, generative art, agent systems, and spatial audio. Each student develops an original open-source software-based multiuser experience and demonstrates this in the AlloSphere or another immersive system. Other topics include C++, Git, and object-oriented programming.

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 261E

Transvergence Projects

4 units

Instructor: M. Novak

W
2-5:00pm
Elings Hall 2615
28548

Description

Advanced projects course fusing all modalities of transvergence into implemented works embodying the Transmodal Continuum. Physical Worldmaking: addition of physical computing, spatial sensing, and digital fabrication to immersive, eversive, and locative Worldmaking. Worldmaking and phenomenology.

MAT 265

Open Projects in Optical/Motion - Computational Processes

4 units

Instructor: G. Legrady

TR
10am-11:50am
Elings Hall 2611
55160

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 276LC

Digital Audio Montage

2 units

Instructor: J. Oliveira

T
3-4:50pm
Music 1213
28555

Description

Second quarter of a three-quarter sequence course concentrating on studio based composition.

MAT 293

Internship in Industry

1-4 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
28563

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
28589

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
28597

MAT 594CE

CREATE Ensemble

1-4 units

Instructor: K. Yerkes

F
2pm-4:50pm
Elings 2816
28605

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 594P

Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music.

1-4 units

Instructor: J. Kuchera-Morin

TR
10-11:50am
Elings 2809
28613

Description

MAT 594P is a studio-based course in media composition for making media art works for MAT grads working on their portfolios. We will deal with the compositional process with regard to multimodal content that unfolds over time and space. The object of this seminar is to make, and also to discuss our compositional processes as we build our portfolios. Each student will work on their individual or group project and will present work each week. We can meet as a group and individually as well. During the class/lab sessions, students can also bring in various works and readings from artists and researchers from which their philosophy of making is being drawn.

594P is a place where students can work on their media arts/tech/science projects. You can sign up for as many units that you are putiing in to work on your portfolio. It is open ended. It is modeled after private lessons in studio. I work with each student individually and then we meet as a group to share our work with one another and share with each other. All of the MAT sudents are welcome. Media works can be whatever your area and interests are. These can be visual sonic and or interactive and also material. This also includes making computational systems as some students come from the engineering side and some from the arts side. It depends on the area that a student is pursuing. It is a way to begin integrating both sides of the MAT. So its really about deisgn and craft. I do not teach software or systems so one can work on whatever platform they wish.

MAT 595M

Media Arts and Technology Seminar Series

1 unit

Instructor: M. Novak

M
1-2:30pm
Elings 2003
28621

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
28639

MAT 597

Individual Study, PhD exams

1-12 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
28647

MAT 598

Master's Thesis/Project Research

1-12 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
28654

MAT 599

PhD Dissertation Research and Preparation

1-12 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
28662

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).