Waves, Brains, and Music
BIOL 299
Spring 2012
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
NS&B 299 |
Pressure waves bounce against the ear, and we create perceptions called sounds from them. We organize sounds to make music, making more waves, and the cycle goes forward. This course will provide an introduction to the fraction of these phenomena that can be measured and analyzed, focusing on the mathematics of signal analysis, auditory physiology, and the physiology of musical perception and production. Periodic waveforms include musical tones and the voltage fluctuations that can be measured from brains. The first third of this course (waves) is an introduction to the quantitative analysis of periodic waveforms, with the goal that the student will have a better understanding of how to interpret the analysis of both musical sounds and neuronal recordings. The second part of the course (brains) examines the known mechanical processes (physiology) by which the mammalian brain analyzes the periodic waveforms that we interpret as sound. The third part of the course uses these lessons to examine original research articles about the neuroscience of music, i.e., how neuronal networks produce musical perception. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Quantitative Reasoning
Through an introduction to the methods of signal analysis, students will learn how to interpret the analysis of periodic waveforms. Examples of periodic waveforms include musical tones and recordings of voltage fluctuations from the brain.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
NSM BIOL |
| Course Format: Lecture | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240] |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (BIOL)(NS&B)(PSYC)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Readings for this course will include selections from various books, textbooks, and original research articles.
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Examinations and Assignments:
There will be two exams and students will also write 3-4 short papers that will review and evaluate research articles about the neuroscience of music. |
| Instructor(s): Aaron,Gloster B. Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM; Location: SHAN201; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 30 | | SR major: 8 | JR major: 8 | | |
| Seats Available: -2 | GRAD: 2 | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 8 | FR: 0 |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 4 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 3 |
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