To search for a course at UCSB, or obtain a list of courses by department, use the online Schedule of Classes.
MAT 200A
Arts & Technology
4 units
Instructor: G. Legrady
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
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
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
Description
This course explores human-computer interfaces, communication schemes, and mapping strategies in the context of audio software development. It also introduces audio and audio programming. We explore high- and low-level aspects of interactive control of musical systems by designing and using digital musical instruments (DMI) and tools. Topics include graphical user interface (GUI), tangible user interface (TUI), essential audio synthesis and processing techniques, and considerations of embedded audio systems. Each student is guided through stages of development such as sketching, research, prototyping, implementation, and performance and then demonstrates their open-source software.
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.
Required Tools: Max, C++, personal laptop.
MAT 261A
Transvergence Seminar I
4 units
Instructor: M. Novak
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
MAT 265
Open Projects in Optical/Motion - Computational Processes
4 units
Instructor: G. Legrady
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
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
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
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
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
MAT 225
CREATE Ensemble
1-4 units
Instructor: K. Yerkes
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
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
MAT 597
Individual Study, PhD exams
1-12 units
Instructor: Use specific instructor code
MAT 598
Master's Thesis/Project Research
1-12 units
Instructor: Use specific instructor code
MAT 599
PhD Dissertation Research and Preparation
1-12 units
Instructor: Use specific instructor code
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).