University of California, Los Angeles School of the Arts and Architecture 35 courses
The undergraduate Computational Art major cultivates both technical proficiency and creative exploration, with a particular emphasis on creative coding, interactive systems, electronics and physical computing, and other current and emerging art and technology areas. Students begin with lower-division core courses in social computing and media histories, and computer programming designed to enhance conceptual thinking and critical engagement with digital media. Upper-division core courses include work in tangible media, art and internet, generative art, computational sound art, arts research and practice, and other areas. Upper-division electives explore art and science collaboration, design futures, and other computational media related courses. The program culminates in a two-quarter-long senior capstone project. Most courses are taught as studios of no more than 22 students, which encourages individual growth, allows for strong faculty mentorship, and fosters a sense of community within the department. The Computational Art major is a designated capstone major. Students are required to complete an advanced project of their own that entails full engagement with the field. Through their capstone work, students demonstrate their capacities for research, ideation/concept development, creative and design direction, communication strategy, design, production/fabrication, and critical analysis. Capstone courses focus on career choice, and final projects are showcased at the spring senior show.
Preparation for the Major: Required Lecture Courses
Complete the following two courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 8 | Media Histories | 5 |
| DESMA 29 | Social Computing | 5 |
Preparation for the Major: Required Studio Courses
Complete the following four courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 21 | Drawing and Color | 4 |
| DESMA 24 | Motion | 4 |
| DESMA 27 | Three-Dimensional Modeling | 4 |
| DESMA 28 | Interactivity | 4 |
Preparation for the Major: Elective Studio Courses
Select one of the following courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 22 | Form | 4 |
| DESMA 25 | Typography | 4 |
The Major: Required Lecture Course
Complete the following course:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 101 | Media Arts: Introduction | 5 |
The Major: Required Studio Courses
Complete the following six courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 110 | Tangible Media | 5 |
| DESMA 111 | Art and the Internet | 5 |
| DESMA 113 | Generative Art | 5 |
| DESMA 114 | Arts Research and Practice | 5 |
| DESMA 116 | Sonic Media | 5 |
| DESMA 143 | Disability and the Web | 5 |
The Major: Elective Studio Courses
Select three of the following courses:
The Major: Senior Project
Complete the following two courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 159A | Senior Praxis | 5 |
| DESMA 159B | Senior Capstone Project | 5 |
Click a course code or title to read the full course description.
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