Instructor: Prof. Robert A. Lutfi
Office: Goodnight Hall, Rm. 482, Hours 10:45-11:45a TR, or by appointment.
Phone: 262-6485 (Goodnight)
Email: ralutfi@wisc.edu
Meets: 9:30-10:45a, Rm 62, Goodnight Hall
Texts:
Yost, W.A (1994). Fundamentals of Hearing (3rd Edition). Academic Press: New York.
Speaks, C.E. (1992). Introduction to Sound: Acoustics for the Hearing and Speech Sciences. Singular Publishing Group, Inc: San Diego.
Course Description and Objectives:
Normal Aspects of Hearing is a 3 credit undergraduate course which is offered by the Department of Communicative Disorders as a prerequisite for entry into the master's or doctoral program in language, speech, or audiology. It also counts toward the basic science requirement for the undergraduate degree. Sophmore standing is recommended though special exceptions can be made upon consent of instructor. The purpose of the course is to introduce undergraduate students to the basic terminology, concepts, theories, and experimental procedures entailed in the scientific study of hearing. The course is divided into three major sections: The first covers the physical laws underlying sound generation and the physical means by which sound and sound systems are measured. The second reviews basic functions of anatomy and physiology involved in sound transduction and neural activation in the auditory system. The third deals with psychological aspects of humans' response to sound including absolute and differential sensitivity, masking, binuaural phenomena, and the perception of pitch and timbre. Content information is presented in such a way so as to engender appreciation for the types of questions that motivate modern hearing research and the various means by which hearing scientists attempt to get answers to these questions.
Grading:
Grading is based on performance on three multiple-choice exams, an optional end of semester makeup exam, and and several homework assignments. The exams constitute four-fifths of the grade and the homework the remaining one-fifth of the grade. The exams are scored on an absolute scale, A=100-94,AB=93-89, B=88-84,BC=83-79, C=78-74, D=73-64, F<64. Only the best three scores on the exams count toward your grade. If you miss one of the first three exams you will want to take the makeup exam - there will be no rescheduling for missed exams. However, if you are happy with your grade after the first three exams, you need not take the makeup exam. The homework assignments are to be submitted electronically (see homework on the web). They are not scored but are recorded as either complete or incomplete. A score of 100 is recorded if all homework assignments are submitted complete when due. Your homework score and your best three exam scores are averaged to arrive at your final grade.
Course Format:
Lectures, demonstrations, handouts, and homework assignments will supplement
assigned readings in the text (see course schedule).
Students are encouraged to
ask questions and participate in class discussion. The instructor will be
available during regular office hours or by special appointment to further answer questions or to deal
with any other matters that might affect students' progress in the course.