To search for a course at UCSB, or obtain a list of courses by department, use the online Schedule of Classes.
MAT 80AS
Mediated Worlds/THEMAS Arts+Sciences Emphasis
4 units
Instructors: M. Novak, D. Flatley
Description
Integrative overview of media arts and technologies, emphasizing the interconnections between technologies and humanities (means and ends), engineering and mathematics (concrete and abstract), and arts and science (synthesis and analysis). The THEMAS model proposes a continuum across disciplines previously separated by narrow specializations. This class emphasizes Arts+Sciences (synthesis/analysis) within the overall model of THEMAS.
MAT 200A
Arts & Technology
4 units
Instructor: M. Peljhan
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 200B
Music & Technology
4 units
Instructor: C. Roads
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 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 238
Computational Fabrication
4 units
Instructor: J. Jacobs
Description
Computational fabrication enables people to design digital forms by writing code and then construct these forms, at least partially, via fabrication machines, like 3D printers and computer-numerical-controlled (CNC) machines. In this course, students explore tools, workflows, representations, and applications of computational fabrication. Students are instructed in the use of computer-aided-design software tools and programming languages aimed at the design of physical artifacts. The course also covers the process of converting digital designs to physical form through computer-aided machining (CAM) for different forms of additive and subtractive CNC machines.
MAT 240C
Digital Audio Programming
4 units
Instructor: K. Yerkes
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 254
Arts-Engineering Research
4 units
Instructor: M. Peljhan
Description
Theoretical and applied directions in arts-engineering research.
MAT 261E
Transvergence Projects
4 units
Instructor: M. Novak
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 276LC
Digital Audio Montage
2 units
Instructor: C. Roads
Description
Third 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
Description
Special projects for selected students. Offered in conjunction with selected industrial and research under direct faculty supervision. Prior departmental approval required.
MAT 294CR
Presenting MAT Projects
1 unit
Instructor: M. Peljhan
Description
Students develop concise descriptions and practice mock presentations that will be critiqued by faculty and peers in preparation for public exhibition of their work. Emphasis on technical and aesthetic clarity.
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 594CE
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 594P
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music.
1-4 units
Instructor: J. Kuchera-Morin, R. Millett
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.
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), C. Roads (08), K. Yerkes (21).
