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CS92PROD
Waves, Brains and Music
BIOL 299
Spring 2011
Section: 01  
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.

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.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM BIOL
Course Format: LectureGrading Mode: Student Option
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: (BIOL)(CIS)(NS&B)(PSYC)(STS)
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available

Last Updated on MAR-28-2024
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