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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 2022

Undergraduate Courses

Course
Day
Time
Location
Course Code

MAT 80TH

Mediated Worlds/THEMAS Technologies+Humanities Emphasis

4 units

Instructors: M. Novak, D. Flatley

TR
W
T
R
3:30pm - 4:45pm
11am - 11:50am
2pm - 2:50pm
2pm - 2:50pm
ARTS 1349
HSSB 3202
HSSB 3202
GIRV 1108
---
29991
30007
30015

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 Technologies+Humanities (means/ends) within the overall model of THEMAS.

Graduate Courses

Course
Day
Time
Location
Course Code

MAT 240A

Digital Audio Programming

4 units

Instructor: K. Yerkes

WF
10am - 11:50am
Elings Hall 2003
30023

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.

MAT 255

Concepts and Aesthetics of the Computational Image

4 units

Instructor: G. Legrady

TR
1-2:50pm
Elings 2611
59212

Description

Interdisciplinary course to analyze the digital computational image, its history, the theoretical, conceptual, philosophical underpinnings, issues of aesthetics, and critical analysis of simulation and representation. Course bridges arts, engineering, humanities. Assignments include reports and possibly projects.

MAT 261A

Transvergence Seminar I

4 units

Instructor: M. Novak

W
2-5pm
Elings Hall 2615
30031

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
30049

MAT 265

Open Projects in Optical/Motion - Computational Processes

4 units

Instructor: G. Legrady

TR
3:30-5:20pm
Elings Hall 2611
60731

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

TR
10-11:50am
Elings 2809
67108

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: C. Roads

M
4-5:50pm
Music 2215
30056

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
30064

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
30072

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
30080

MAT 594E

Computing Arts
Programming and Computing for the Arts and the Humanities

1-4 units

Instructor: K. Yerkes

TR
10am-11:50am
Elings Hall 2003
30106

Description

Students receive an introduction to selected aspects of computer art, computer science, software development, computer networking, and interactive audiovisual applications. With Processing and other tools, we develop a series of 2D games and artworks of increasing complexity. We cover various topics, including physical/biological modeling and simulation, interactivity, data structures, complexity, chaos, data wrangling, cellular automata, agent systems, command-line interface, graphical user interface, object-oriented programming, functional programming, and much more. Each student is guided through stages of development such as sketching, research, prototyping, implementation, and performance and then demonstrates their open-source software project.

MAT 594P

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

1-4 units

Instructor: J. Kuchera-Morin

TR
10-11:50am
Elings Hall 2809
30122

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: K. Yerkes

M
1-2:30pm
 
30148

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
30155

MAT 597

Individual Study, PhD exams

1-12 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
30163

MAT 598

Master's Thesis/Project Research

1-12 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
30171

MAT 599

PhD Dissertation Research and Preparation

1-12 units

Instructor: Use specific instructor code

TBD
TBD
TBD
30189

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: A. Cabrera (17), 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), Y. Visell (18), K. Yerkes (21).