Category Archives: Undergraduate

Courses for All IMA Students

Future Tense (INTM-SHU 236T)

Science fiction, in literature, graphic novels, motion pictures, video games, and other mass media, has been a valuable form of sociocultural expression for generations. We use it to express our concerns for humanity, as well as our relationship to technology, one another, and our forms of governance. In the first half of this course we will learn about the field of future studies as we examine a body of works across various media which explore a popular theme in science fiction, such as time travel, space exploration, robots, dystopia and utopia, or pandemic. In the second half of this course we will produce a collective work of transmedia science fiction that reflects on the past, address concerns about the present day, and forecasts possible future scenarios. The theme of this semester will be pandemic. Prereq: None. Fulfillment: IMA/IMB elective.

Interactive Media Arts (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 16 Weeks

Woodworking for Art and Design (INTM-SHU 152T)

Learn woodworking as a form of expression. Wood can be used to create both practical and artistic projects, from sculpture to furniture to musical instruments. Students will use the IMA woodshop to learn hand tools and machine tools and woodworking techniques. They will learn to safely operate woodshop tools. They will learn about wood: its structure, its properties, its use as a material and as a medium. We will learn about tone woods, sound, and music. Projects will include the design and fabrication of practical and artistic woodworking artifacts, and will include a major project in an area that is selected by the student. Woodworking sits at the intersection of design, engineering, and performance of a specific set of motion practices. During the course, we will reflect on the woodworking process, and relate it to other practices such as software design and construction. Prereq: None Fulfillment: IMA/IMB elective.

Interactive Media Arts (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 16 Weeks

Web Page to Web Space (INTM-SHU 292T)

The Internet and computer devices have evolved rapidly. New technology may soon allow us to communicate virtually through Web VR/AR platforms. 3D contents may eventually overpower 2D images and textual content on the platforms. Web pages will become Web Spaces. This class allows students to explore new possible ways of using the Web by utilizing basic web development knowledge and advanced 3D visualization to create new immersive environments in the web platform. This is an advanced course with technically challenging concepts. Prereq: Creative Coding Lab, or similar programming background Fulfillment: IMA/IMB elective.

Interactive Media Arts (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 16 Weeks

Open Project Salon (INTM-SHU 140T)

This course offers students the opportunity to develop a self-initiated project with close mentorship from a faculty member. Projects undertaken can span the areas of conceptual research, business development, creative practice, and media production. The course includes structured weekly workshop and critique times with peers and special guests. It is expected that students will embrace open-source and open-content ideals in their work, be invested in the work of their peers by providing feedback, and consider the feedback they receive during critique. In addition to weekly meeting times, students are expected to also participate in regular one-on-one meetings with faculty, peers, and guests. A formal project proposal, weekly assessments and documentation, a final project presentation, and participation in the IMA End of Semester show are all required. Although students are encouraged to continue work they may have initiated in a prior class, they may not combine or in any way double count work from this class in another class taken in the same semester. Group work is allowed assuming all group members are enrolled in this class. Students may take this course in either the first or second 7 weeks for 2 credits or repeated across 14 weeks for 4 credits. It is open to anyone in any major assuming they have satisfied the prerequisites. Prerequisites: None

Interactive Media Arts (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 16 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2021)


INTM-SHU 140T-000 (20409)01/25/2021 – 05/14/2021 Mon1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Early afternoon)at ShanghaiInstructed by Belanger, Matthew

NIME: New Interfaces for Musical Expression (INTM-SHU 287)

This course will focus on designing, creating, and performing with self-built electro-acoustic music systems to explore the limits of human musical expression. Over the semester, students are asked to research examples of contemporary work by creators of musical interfaces and discuss a wide range of issues facing technology in the performing arts. Readings and case studies will provide background for class discussions on the theory and practice of designing gestural controllers for musical performance. Students will invent and prototype a complete system encompassing musical control, mapping input to sound, and the creation of sound itself. Interaction Lab is a prerequisite, however, prior performing experience is not required. The performance discipline is inherently interdisciplinary and collaborative, so an open mind to working with others is imperative. The class will culminate in a performance where students will play their instruments live as well as a formal presentation of the students’ works at the NIME2021 conference hosted by NYU Shanghai. Prerequisite: Interaction Lab Fulfillment: IMA/IMB elective.

Interactive Media Arts (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 16 Weeks

Digital Electronics Lab (MPATE-UE 1828)

Credits: 1
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Thu
Credits: 1
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Thu,Tue

Hands-on lab accompanying Digital Electronics. Lab sessions will contain hands-on experience with logic circuits & microcontrollers. The course culminates with a student developed final project.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
1 credits – 15 Weeks

Analog Electronics (MPATE-UE 1817)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue

An introduction to Analog Electronic theory including solid-state devices. Ohm’s Law & related measurement techniques will be explored. Students must enroll in a Lab section to apply hands-on experience in basic circuit design & measurement.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks

Digital Electronics (MPATE-UE 1818)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue

An introduction to Digital Electronics, including binary systems & logic. Students must enroll in a Lab section to apply hands-on experience in simple computer programming techniques, digital processing applied to music with specific relevance to computer music synthesis & MIDI.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks

Analog Electronics Lab (MPATE-UE 1827)

Credits: 1
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue
Credits: 1
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue,Thu
Credits: 1
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue,Thu,Mon
Credits: 1
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue,Thu,Mon
Credits: 1
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue,Thu,Mon,Fri
Credits: 1
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue,Thu,Mon,Fri

Hands-on lab accompanying Analog Electronics. Lab sessions will contain hands-on experience with analog audio circuitry. The course culminates with a student developed final project.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
1 credits – 15 Weeks

Elect Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techn (MPATE-UE 1037)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Fri
Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Fri

This course focuses on electronic music synthesizer techniques. Concepts in the synthesis of music, including generation of sound, voltage control, and treatment of sound and tape techniques. Included is a short synopsis of the history and literature of analog electronic music. Students complete laboratory tasks and compositions on vintage synthesizer modules and create one or more final projects that demonstrate(s) the application of these concepts.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks

Comp Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techniques (MPATE-UE 1047)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Mon

Introduction for teachers, composers, and performers to explore potentials of computer music synthesis. Basic concepts of music synthesis presented through the use of a microcomputer, keyboard, and appropriate software. System may be used as a real-time performance instrument or as a studio composition instrument. Educators may explore potentials for classroom application.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks

Digital Recording Technology (MPATE-UE 1003)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue

Digital recording technology & production techniques are explained & demonstrated. Lecture topics engage analog to digital conversion, digital to analog conversion, digital signal theory & filter design, digital audio effects & mixing. Studio lab assignments are performed outside of class reinforcing weekly lecture topics.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks

Electronic Music Performance (MPATE-UE 1019)

Credits: 2
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed
Credits: 2
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed,Thu
Credits: 2
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed,Thu,Mon
Credits: 2
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed,Thu,Mon
Credits: 2
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed,Thu,Mon

Through weekly performing, readings and discussions, students study the conceptualization and production of live electronics ensemble performance. Students create new works, improvisations, and rehearse compositions from a growing repertoire of electronic ensemble compositions, to be performed at a semester’s end public concert.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
2 credits – 15 Weeks

Resisting Dystopia (MCC-UE 1041)

A deep sense of a descending dystopian future has become more pronounced with the global pandemic, economic shutdowns, and the rise of extremism and authoritarianism. Scholars, novelists, journalists, filmmakers, and activists around the world have been writing and speaking about political systems and leadership classes incapable of addressing such issues for decades. Students explore dystopia through literature, film, and scholarly works, and examine strategies for resisting dystopia. Students participate in a social action project and create video projects.

Media, Culture & Communication (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2021)


MCC-UE 1041-000 (23974)01/28/2021 – 05/10/2021 Wed2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Early afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by Gary, Brett

History of Computing: How the Computer Became Personal (MCC-UE 1171)

This course focuses on technological developments and cultural contexts relevant to understanding the development of digital computing technology. The course familiarizes students with the social forces and technocultural innovations that shaped the personal computing industry, and uses primary documents, academic history and critical theory to contextualize and problematize popular frameworks of technological progress and challenge narratives of computing’s inevitability.

Media, Culture & Communication (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2025)


MCC-UE 1171-000 (18059)01/21/2025 – 05/06/2025 Wed2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Early afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by Yates, Katie Lane

Fame (MCC-UE 1346)

Credits: 4
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Mon,Wed

Fame, notoriety, renown – the desire to be recognized and immortalized — is the most enduring and perhaps most desirable form of power. Culture, commerce, politics, and religion all proffer promises of fame – whether for fifteen minutes or fifteen centuries. What is fame? Why do people want it? How do they get it? What can they do with it? Drawing on texts from history, ethnography, theory, literature, philosophy, and contemporary media, this course reflects on the ethics, erotics, pragmatics and pathologies of fame.

Media, Culture & Communication (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Applied Cryptography (CS-GY 6903)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed
Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed
Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed,Tue
Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed,Tue

This course examines Modern Cryptography from a both theoretical and applied perspective, with emphasis on “provable security” and “application case studies”. The course looks particularly at cryptographic primitives that are building blocks of various cryptographic applications. The course studies notions of security for a given cryptographic primitive, its various constructions and respective security analysis based on the security notion. The cryptographic primitives covered include pseudorandom functions, symmetric encryption (block ciphers), hash functions and random oracles, message authentication codes, asymmetric encryption, digital signatures and authenticated key exchange. The course covers how to build provably secure cryptographic protocols (e.g., secure message transmission, identification schemes, secure function evaluation, etc.), and various number-theoretic assumptions upon which cryptography is based. Also covered: implementation issues (e.g., key lengths, key management, standards, etc.) and, as application case studies, a number of real-life scenarios currently using solutions from modern cryptography. | Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Computer Science (Graduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks

Application Security (CS-GY 9163)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue,Thu
Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue,Thu
Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue,Thu,Tue

This course addresses the design and implementation of secure applications. Concentration is on writing software programs that make it difficult for intruders to exploit security holes. The course emphasizes writing secure distributed programs in Java. The security ramifications of class, field and method visibility are emphasized. | Knowledge of Information, Security and Privacy equivalent to CS-GY 6813. Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Computer Science (Graduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks

Machine Learning (CS-GY 6923)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed
Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed
Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed

This course is an introduction to the field of machine learning, covering fundamental techniques for classification, regression, dimensionality reduction, clustering, and model selection. A broad range of algorithms will be covered, such as linear and logistic regression, neural networks, deep learning, support vector machines, tree-based methods, expectation maximization, and principal components analysis. The course will include hands-on exercises with real data from different application areas (e.g. text, audio, images). Students will learn to train and validate machine learning models and analyze their performance. | Knowledge of undergraduate level probability and statistics, linear algebra, and multi-variable calculus. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Computer Science (Graduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks