Undergraduate Courses 2026-27
AMCC
Arts and Machine Creativity
- AMCC 2010Digital Audio Workstation Composition3 Credit(s)DescriptionThis course will introduce students to electronic music composition using Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) with a focus on creative and technical fluency. Students will learn the fundamentals of compositional thought, audio editing, mixing, and production while exploring creative strategies unique to electronic and digital music-making. The course will also incorporate contemporary machine learning and AI music tools, enabling students to experiment with algorithmic generation and manipulation of musical material to enhance their creative workflow. Students will explore sampling, synthesis, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), and the integration of AI-tools into traditional DAW environments. Since we will be working with concrete sound rather than notated music, no prior experience in music notation, music theory, composition or performance is required. The course will culminate in a concert of original works that showcase students’ ability to creatively organize sound using technology. By the end of the course, students will have developed both practical DAW skills and critical awareness of how AI tools are reshaping modern music production.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate technical proficiency in using Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) for recording, editing, and producing electronic music
- 2.Apply fundamental compositional strategies creatively
- 3.Integrate contemporary machine learning and AI tools into the music composition workflow to generate and manipulate musical material
- 4.Critically analyze and evaluate electronic music works, including their own, with attention to sonic organization, aesthetic choices, and technological approaches
- 5.Create original electronic music compositions that showcase the ability to organize sound creatively, culminating in a concert presentation
- AMCC 2020Coding for Artistic Expression and Creation3 Credit(s)DescriptionThis course introduces students to the world of creative coding, where technology meets artistic expression. Students will engage in hands-on projects that explore concepts such as randomness, sound art, image processing, and generative art. Through individual assignments and a collaborative final project, students will learn to harness code as a medium for creativity, producing unique art pieces that blend visual, auditory, and interactive elements. While prior programming knowledge is preferred, this course will accommodate students with varying levels of programming experience. However, the emphasis will be on using coding as a tool for artistic expression rather than systematically covering all programming elements.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the principles and history of creative coding, demonstrating an understanding of its role in contemporary artistic practices
- 2.Create code-based artistic works that reflect artistic concepts and aesthetic sensitivity
- 3.Apply computational thinking to solve creative challenges, showcasing creativity through the practice of coding
- 4.Utilize AI tools to facilitate brainstorming, problem-solving, and coding processes in the creation of artistic projects
- 5.Collaborate effectively in teams to conceptualize and present a final art project, integrating various art forms and media
- 6.Reflect on the integration of technology in artistic practices and articulate the impact of creative coding on personal artistic expression
- AMCC 4900Independent Study in Arts and Machine Creativity1-4 Credit(s)DescriptionIndependent studies or projects under the directed guidance of a faculty member. Course requirements include readings on the relevant topic and a research or survey project specifically defined for the research topic. Credits assigned depend on the workload and may be repeated if different topics are taken. Enrollment requires approval of the course instructor. May be graded by letter, P/F or DI/PA/F for different offerings.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between art and technology, including historical and contemporary contexts.
- 2.Develop and demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- 3.Strengthen and advance students’ knowledge and research skills sets for them to construct their specific research projects.
- 4.Self-evaluate their own learning progress, develop motivation and creative skills for lifelong learning.
- 5.Work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, demonstrating strong communication and collaborative skills in the context of art and technology.
