Course Schedule and Catalog
Course Schedule - Spring Semester 2026
Meeting location information can now be found on student schedules in ESTHER (for students) or on the Course Roster in ESTHER (for faculty and instructors).Additional information available here.
Meeting location information can now be found on student schedules in ESTHER (for students) or on the Course Roster in ESTHER (for faculty and instructors).Additional information available here.
COLL 165 001 (CRN: 25806)
COMPUTER CODING MUSIC
Long Title: CRACKING THE MUSICAL CODE: EXPLORING COMPUTER MUSIC AND CREATIVE CODING PERFORMANCE (HANSZEN)
Department: College Courses
Instructors:
Meeting: 7:00PM - 7:50PM R (12-JAN-2026 - 24-APR-2026)
Part of Term: Full Term - No WL Purge
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Seminar
Language of Instruction: Taught in English
Method of Instruction: Face to Face
Credit Hours: 1
Course Syllabus:
Course Materials: Rice Campus Store
Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s):
Undergraduate Professional
Visiting Undergraduate
Undergraduate
Section Max Enrollment: 19
Section Enrolled: 16
Waitlisted: 0 (Max 99)
Current members of the waitlist have priority for available seats.
Enrollment data as of: 25-NOV-2025 1:39AM
Final Exam: No Final Exam
Description: Computers have reshaped the way music is created, performed, and understood. What once required entire studios of specialized hardware can now be achieved on a personal laptop, continuing a revolution in sound and composition. From the first computer-generated compositions to today’s algorithmic and networked performances, computer music has continually redefined artistic practice and cultural experience.
This course explores computer music through two interwoven lenses: history and practice. On the musicological side, students will trace the evolution of computer music from its mid-20th-century pioneers through contemporary creative coding movements. Topics include early experiments in algorithmic composition, the rise of digital synthesis, the role of networks and interactivity, and the emergence of new cultural practices such as Algorave, a performance scene where live coding merges algorithms, improvisation, and dance culture. Through readings and discussion, students will analyze the cultural, technological, and aesthetic implications of computer music across different contexts.
On the practical side, students will learn creative coding as a medium for music-making. No prior experience with coding or music-making is required—all levels are welcome! Students will create and modify original code for audio applications, responding in real time to the dynamics of performance. Through workshops with platforms such as TidalCycles, Sonic Pi, Strudel, and other live coding tools, students will not only build technical skills but also compose and perform original works, bridging critical understanding with creative experimentation.