Some courses displayed may not be offered every year. For actual course offerings by quarter, please consult the Quarterly Class Search
or GOLD (for current students). To see the historical record of when a particular course has been taught in the past, please visit the Course Enrollment Histories.
MAT 10. Introduction into Media, Arts, Design, Engineering, and Science in a Computational Context
(4)
PELJHAN
Introduces students to the technology/art/science/society/creativity/ computation matrix. Covers the history of this field, and a set of conceptual and theoretical strategies that will enable them to navigate this complex transdisciplinary environment.
MAT 80AAZZ. Mediated Worlds: MAT
(4)
STAFF
Repeat Comments: Each child course may be taken once as long as letter designations are different.
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. It builds upon the successes of STEM/STEAM, with greater emphasis on the humanities, creativity, and synthesis.
MAT 80AS. Mediated Worlds/THEMAS Arts+Sciences Emphasis
MAT 80EM. Mediated Worlds/THEMAS Engineering+Mathematics Emphasis
MAT 80TH. Mediated Worlds/THEMAS Technologies+Humanities Emphasis
MAT 80VR. Mediated Worlds: Enacting the Metaverse - Generative Worldmaking and Virtual Reality
MAT 80XU. Mediated Worlds:THEMAS Special Topics:(E)Utopian Design Tools
MAT 110AAZZ.
MEDIA ARTS AND DESIGN CONCEPTS
(4)
PELJHAN
Prerequisite: Not open to freshmen.
Enrollment Comments: MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT PROVIDED THE LETTER DESIGNATIONS ARE DIFFERENT.
COURSES EXPLORING THE INTERSECTION OF ART AND TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING ITS BROADER SOCIAL IMPACTS AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS. TOPICS VARY.
MAT 110CF.
Media Arts and Design Concepts: MAD Concepts - Fundamental Concepts of Media Arts and Design
MAT 111AAZZ.
MEDIA ARTS AND DESIGN SKILLS
(4)
PELJHAN
Prerequisite: Not open to freshmen.
Enrollment Comments: MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT PROVIDED THE LETTER DESIGNATIONS ARE DIFFERENT.
PROJECT-BASED COURSE WITH AN EMPHASIS ON TECHNICAL SKILLS WITHIN THE CONTEXOF DIGITAL ARTS OR MUSIC. TOPICS VARY.
MAT 111FS.
Media Arts and Design Skills: MAD Skills - Fundamental Skills of Media Arts
MAT 189.
Media Arts and Design Capstone
(2)
PELJHAN
Prerequisite: MAT 10 or CMPSC 8 or CMPSCW 8
Recommended Preparation: Students taking this course should have already completed at least two upper-division courses within the Creative Computing Minor.
Capstone course for the Media Arts and Design Minor. Synthesizes learning ffrom other Media Arts and Design courses through the development of a digital portfolio and meetings with guest speakers.
MAT 200A.
Arts and Technology
(4)
PELJHAN
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
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 and Technology
(4)
ROADS
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)
STAFF
Enrollment Comments: Designed for majors.
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 201A.
Media Signal Processing
(4)
STAFF
Basic concepts in digital signal and image processing (transforms, convolutions, etc.), filter design, image enhancement and coding, digital video.
MAT 201B.
Computing with Media Data
(4)
STAFF
Recommended Preparation: One quarter introductory programming course and one quarter "data structure and algorithms" course.
Hands-on introduction to developing multimedia applications. Representation and perception of sound, images, and time. Media computing paradigms including OOP, callbacks, multithreading, OpenGL, distributed computing, algorithmic control, indeterminacy, real-time interactivity, and mapping data between sensory modalities. Students develop a series of audiovisual works (as C++ software) leading to a final project.
MAT 201C.
Media and Society
(4)
STAFF
Comparison of electronic and traditional media. Topics: Impact of networks on art and commerce, social history of communication technologies. Notions of authorship, shifting role of corporations in an increasingly global economy. Impact of multi-user environments and virtual reality technology on society.
MAT 232.
Advanced Computer Graphics
(4)
STAFF
Covers advanced computer graphics topics in rendering, animation, and modeling. Topics may include, but are not limited to: programmable shading, General-Purpose GPU (GPGPU) computing, rigid body dynamics, OpenCL programming, physically based animation, subdivision surfaces, shadow algorithms, character skinning methods, ambient occlusion, and fractal growth algorithms.
MAT 236.
Computational Systems for Visual Art and Design
(4)
JACOBS
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 237.
Designing Expressive Technologies
(4)
JACOBS
Computational tools create new opportunities for making things, yet designing expressive computational systems poses many challenges. Addressing these challenges requires finding ways to integrate rigorous and structured research and development methodologies with observations of real-world creative production, and dialog and collaboration with different kinds of makers. This course is for Ph.D and Masters students with an interest in researching and designing computational technologies for art, design, manufacturing, or craft. The course is run as a seminar involving discussion of readings and concepts presented in lecture and exploration of human-computer interaction research methodologies.
MAT 238.
Computational Fabrication
(4)
JACOBS
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 240A.
Digital Audio Programming: The Series
(4)
POPE
Recommended Preparation: Some experience in programming and basic acoustics.
A six-quarter practical programming course devoted to digital audio applications development. The emphasis is on learning to use current state-of-the-art programming methods, tools, and library APIs. Programming assignments are given in the C, C++, Java, Smalltalk and/or SuperCollider programming language. Topics: A. Using Commerical I/O APIs; B. Spectral Transformations; C. Spatial Sound Manipulation; D. Sound Synthesis Techniques; E. Multi-rate Control and Synchronization; F. Media Application Integration.
MAT 240B.
Digital Audio Programming: The Series
(4)
POPE
Recommended Preparation: Some experience in programming and basic acoustics.
A six-quarter practical programming course devoted to digital audio applications development. The emphasis is on learning to use current state-of-the-art programming methods, tools, and library APIs. Programming assignments are given in the C, C++, Java, Smalltalk and/or SuperCollider programming language. Topics: A. Using Commerical I/O APIs; B. Spectral Transformations; C. Spatial Sound Manipulation; D. Sound Synthesis Techniques; E. Multi-rate Control and Synchronization; F. Media Application Integration.
MAT 240C.
Digital Audio Programming: The Series
(4)
POPE
Recommended Preparation: Some experience in programming and basic acoustics.
A six-quarter practical programming course devoted to digital audio applications development. The emphasis is on learning to use current state-of-the-art programming methods, tools, and library APIs. Programming assignments are given in the C, C++, Java, Smalltalk and/or SuperCollider programming language. Topics: A. Using Commerical I/O APIs; B. Spectral Transformations; C. Spatial Sound Manipulation; D. Sound Synthesis Techniques; E. Multi-rate Control and Synchronization; F. Media Application Integration.
MAT 240D.
Digital Audio Programming: The Series
(4)
POPE
Recommended Preparation: Some experience in programming and basic acoustics.
A six-quarter practical programming course devoted to digital audio applications development. The emphasis is on learning to use current state-of-the-art programming methods, tools, and library APIs. Programming assignments are given in the C, C++, Java, Smalltalk and/or SuperCollider programming language. Topics: A. Using Commerical I/O APIs; B. Spectral Transformations; C. Spatial Sound Manipulation; D. Sound Synthesis Techniques; E. Multi-rate Control and Synchronization; F. Media Application Integration.
MAT 240E.
Digital Audio Programming: The Series
(4)
POPE
Recommended Preparation: Some experience in programming and basic acoustics.
A six-quarter practical programming course devoted to digital audio applications development. The emphasis is on learning to use current state-of-the-art programming methods, tools, and library APIs. Programming assignments are given in the C, C++, Java, Smalltalk and/or SuperCollider programming language. Topics: A. Using Commerical I/O APIs; B. Spectral Transformations; C. Spatial Sound Manipulation; D. Sound Synthesis Techniques; E. Multi-rate Control and Synchronization; F. Media Application Integration.
MAT 240F.
Digital Audio Programming: The Series
(4)
POPE
Recommended Preparation: Some experience in programming and basic acoustics.
A six-quarter practical programming course devoted to digital audio applications development. The emphasis is on learning to use current state-of-the-art programming methods, tools, and library APIs. Programming assignments are given in the C, C++, Java, Smalltalk and/or SuperCollider programming language. Topics: A. Using Commerical I/O APIs; B. Spectral Transformations; C. Spatial Sound Manipulation; D. Sound Synthesis Techniques; E. Multi-rate Control and Synchronization; F. Media Application Integration.
MAT 254.
Arts-Engineering Research
(4)
LEGRADY
Theoretical and applied directions in arts-engineering research.
MAT 255.
Concepts and Aesthetics of the Computational Image
(4)
LEGRADY
Recommended Preparation: Some knowledge in any or all of the following relavant fields: computation, simulation and modeling, aesthetics and visual studies.Enrollment Comments: Open to non-majors. Designed for majors.
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 258.
Art and Science of Aerospace Culture
(4)
PELJHAN
Prerequisite: Upper-Division standing; Consent of instructor.
Enrollment Comments: May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 16 units. Letter grade required for majors.
Interdisciplinary course/seminar/practice for artists, academics, engineers, and designers interested in exploring the technological aesthetic, cultural, and political aspects of the space side of the aerospace complex. Design history, space complex aesthetics, cinema intersections, imaging/telecommunications, human spaceflight history, reduced/alternating gravity, experimentation, space systems design/utilization.
MAT 259.
Projects in Visualizing Information
(4)
LEGRADY
Enrollment Comments: Quarters usually offered: Winter.
A project-based course focused on techniques of information retrieval and the language of algorithmic visualization. Course concentration on fundamentals of data visualization and design, with an emphasis on data query, data analysis and processing, and visualization in 2D frequency and 3D interactive spatial visualization.
MAT 259A.
Projects in Visualizing Information
(4)
LEGRADY
Project-based course focused on aesthetics of algorithmic visualization. Course concentration on fundamentals of data visualization and design, with an emphasis on data query, analysis, processing and visualization in linear, 2D frequency, and spatial map visualizations.
MAT 261A.
Transvergence Seminar I
(4)
NOVAK
Recommended Preparation: Demonstrated experience and accomplishment in creative and analytical fields; programming; interactive media; 3D computer graphics; geometry and trigonometry; physics; art/architecture/music/design; theory and criticism.Enrollment Comments: Open to non-majors. Concurrently offered with 261B. Quarters usually offered: Fall. Discourse-driven seminar (with implemented art/research component). Concurrent enrollment in Transvergence Studio I 261B is strongly recommended. Recommended for incoming students.
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)
NOVAK
Recommended Preparation: Demonstrated synthetic and analytical ability; programming; media. Project-driven studio (with articulated discourse component). Concurrent enrollment in Transvergence Seminar I (261A) is strongly recommended.Enrollment Comments: Open to non-majors. Concurrently offered with 261A. Quarters usually offered: Fall.
MAT 261C.
Transvergence Seminar II
(4)
MARCOS NOVAK
Recommended Preparation: Demonstrated synthetic and analytical ability; programming; media Discourse-driven seminar (with implemented art/research component). Concurrent enrollment in Transvergence Studio II (261D) is strongly recommended.Enrollment Comments: Open to non-majors. Concurrently offered with 261D. Quarters usually offered: Winter.
Introduction to Transmodal Continuum. n-dimensional conceptions of space (and form) after Riemann. Scalar, vector, and tensor fields and beyond. Digital, physical, biological, and neurophysiological considerations in the poetics of the very small. Models of morphogenetic and evolutionary developmental emergence. World making and ontology.
MAT 261D.
Transvergence Studio II
(4)
MARCOS NOVAK
Recommended Preparation: Demonstrated synthetic and analytical ability; programming; media Project-driven studio (with articulated discourse component). Concurrent enrollment in Transvergence Seminar II (261C) is strongly recommended.Enrollment Comments: Open to non-majors. Concurrently offered with 261C. Quarters usually offered: Winter.
Trans Architectures: The Pantopicon, Habitable Cinema, and Invisible Architectures. Multi-agent systems: Implementation of morphogenetic and developmental models of emergence. Design and implementation of everted virtual environments and eversive Worldmaking. Locative Worldmaking: linking locative media, online worlds, tracked/sensed space, and eversive virtual environments.
MAT 261E.
Transvergence Projects
(4)
MARCOS NOVAK
Recommended Preparation: Demonstrated synthetic and analytical ability; programming; media.Enrollment Comments: Open to non-majors. Quarters usually offered: Spring.
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)
LEGRADY
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)
KUCHERA-MORIN
Prerequisite: MAT majors and graduate non-majors in areas of electrical engineering, computer science, physics and math; consent of instructor.
First quarter of general purpose computing for computer music applications. Topics include: music synthesis using computer programs, and score input programs.
MAT 276IB.
Direct Digital Synthesis - Processing and Composition
(4)
KUCHERA-MORIN
Prerequisite: MAT 276IA.
Second quarter of a two-quarter sequence course concentrates on computer music instrument design using music software and exploring applications of frequency modulation, additive/subtractive synthesis, digital signal processing, and computer music composition.
MAT 276LA.
Digital Audio Montage
(2)
ROADS
Prerequisite: Graduate MAT majors and graduate non-majors in areas of electrical engineering, computer science, physics and math; consent of instructor.
First quarter of a three-quarter sequence course concentrates on multi-track recording, mixing, digital signal processing, and studio based composition.
MAT 276LB.
Digital Audio Montage
(2)
ROADS
Prerequisite: MAT 276LA.
Second quarter of a three-quarter sequence course concentrates on studio based composition.
MAT 276LC.
Digital Audio Montage
(2)
ROADS
Prerequisite: MAT 276LB.
Third quarter of a three-quarter sequence course concentrates on studio based composition.
MAT 276N.
Special Topics in Electronic Music
(4)
ROADS
Prerequisite: MAT 276LA-LB-LC.
Advanced topics in computer music composition, synthesis, and digital signal processing.
MAT 293.
Internship in Industry
(1-4)
STAFF
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Enrollment Comments: May be repeated with faculty approval.
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)
STAFF
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)
STAFF
Prerequisite: Consent of graduate advisor and Director of graduate studies.
Enrollment Comments: Students are limited to 4 units per quarter. No more than 12 units may be credited toward their Master's degree. Not intended for thesis research.
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 Media Art & Technology
(1-4)
STAFF
Prerequisite: Must be a T.A.
Courses taught or assisted by T.A.'s.
MAT 594AAZZ.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
(1-4)
STAFF
Special course in selected problems in multimedia engineering, visual arts, or electronic music.
MAT 594A.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594AC.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594AV.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594B.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594C.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594CB.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594CE.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594CM.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594CP.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594D.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594E.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594G.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594GL.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594H.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594I.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594JD.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594L.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
(1-4)
STAFF
Special course in selected problems in multimedia engineering, visual arts, or electronic music.
MAT 594M.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594MP.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
(1-4)
STAFF
Special course in selected problems in multimedia engineering, visual arts, or electronic music.
MAT 594NP.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594O.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594P.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594R.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594S.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
(1-4)
STAFF
Special course in selected problems in multimedia engineering, visual arts, or electronic music.
MAT 594SP.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594ST.
Special Topics in Soft Robotics
MAT 594T.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 594X.
Special Topics in Multimedia Engineering, Visual Arts or Electronic Music
MAT 595M.
Writing, Theory, Lectures, Seminars in Media Arts and Technology
MAT 596.
Directed Research
(2-12)
STAFF
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and Director of graduate studies.
Independent research, either experimental or theoretical, may be taken by properly qualified graduate students under the direction of a faculty member.
MAT 597.
Individual Study for Ph.D. Examinations
(1-12)
STAFF
Enrollment Comments: Quarters usually offered: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall.
Maximum of 12 units per quarter; enrollment limited to 24 units per examination. Instructor is normally student's major advisor or chair of dissertation committee. S/U grading. Individual studies for Ph.D. qualifying examination.
MAT 598.
Master's Thesis Research and Project Research
(1-12)
STAFF
Prerequisite: Consent of Master's adviser.
Enrollment Comments: Quarters usually offered: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall.
For research underlying the thesis/project and writing of the thesis/project.
MAT 599.
Ph.D. Dissertation Research and Preparation
(1-12)
STAFF
Prerequisite: Consent of dissertation advisor.
Enrollment Comments: Quarters usually offered: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall.
For research and preparation of the dissertation.