Course # / Title:

AET 4230 Auditory Perception and Hearing Science

Course Credit Hours:

3 hrs.

Semester:

Fall 2008

Instructors:

Wesley A. Bulla, Ph.D., M.M.E., B.M.

Kent Walker, Ph.D. candidate, M.M, B.A.

Instructor Contacts:

bullaw@mail.belmont.edu  615.460.6272

walker@mail.belmont.edu

Instructor Office Hours:

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM M-F

Class Location:

MCREMS B25 (Massey Center R. E. Mulloy Studios room B25)

Meeting Time(s):

MW 6:00-7:15 PM

Final Exam:

Wednesday, December 10, 2007, 7:00-9:00 PM

 

Course Description:

 

This course is a study of auditory perception, psychoacoustics, and hearing science as it relates to audio engineering, sound recording, and music production.

 

Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

 

·         Recall facts and detailed information about the neurobiological organization of the auditory system.

·         Explain the function, significance, and parameters of the mechanisms of aural processing.

·         Evaluate and contrast writing and research on auditory perception and psychophysical research methods.

 

Performance Tasks:  During this course, the student will:

 

·         Identify and explain the significance of the physical and neurobiological mechanisms of auditory processing.

·         Read, compare, and critique research-based journal articles.

·         Assess the parameters of aural stimuli response through the application of critical listening.

·         Participate in the design and implementation of a psychoacoustic research project.

·         Create a journal-style paper based on the empirical findings from a course-driven perceptual research project.

 

Assessment Tools: During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:

 

·         Multiple choice and short-answer tests based on lectures and assigned readings.

·         A 10-page, long-form comprehensive mid-term essay exam.

·         1st and 2nd drafts of journal-style empirical research paper.

 

Testing & Assignments:

 

Activity

Credit

Purpose / Description

1.  Quizzes

30 %

Based on reading assignments and lectures, weekly quizzes will assess the student’s knowledge base and understanding of the topic.  Quiz format will be multiple choice and short-answer.

2.  Comprehensive Midterm Exam

30 %

Based on reading assignments and lectures, a comprehensive midterm test will assess the depth of the student’s mastery of the knowledge base of the topic.  This test is comprised of a series of long-form essay questions.

 

3.  Research Project & Papers

40 %

 

Two drafts 20% each

1st and 2nd drafts of a research paper (7- to 10-pages plus charts/graphs etc.) written in AES Journal peer-review submission format.  The paper will allow the student to incorporate assigned readings, individual background research, course lecture material, and data from a psychophysical experiment conducted in the class and will demonstrate an assimilation of knowledge gained from original research, lectures, and assigned readings.

 

 

 

Course & Classroom Policies:

 

Attendance & Participation:

 

Class attendance follows university policy as stated in the current Undergraduate Bulletin.  Class participation is expected; attendance and absence will be noted.  Points (%) will be deducted from the final grade for unexcused absences. 1 absence, 2 %; 2 absences, 4 %; 3 absences, 6 %; 4 absences, 8 %; 5 absences, 10 %; 6 absences, 12 %; 7 absences, 14 %; 8 absences, the student will be dropped from the class with a failing grade (WF).

 

Materials:

 

Standard classroom materials such as a notebook and writing utensils will be needed.  A no. 2 pencil will be required for the multiple-choice quizzes.  Copies of readings will be given out in class.  Supplemental readings and resources will be posted on the class website at http://campus.belmont.edu/mb/AET4230.

 

Grade Evaluation:  As per CEMB policy, the grade assignment scale for this course is:

 

Grade

Percent (GPA)

A

94 (4.0)

A-

90 (3.7)

B+

87 (3.3)

B

84 (3.0)

B-

80 (2.7)

C+

77 (2.3)

C

74 (2.0)

C-

70 (1.7)

Final grades below 70 % will not apply to the major.

D+

67

D

64

D-

60

F

< 60

 

Honor Code:  It is the responsibility of each student to abide by the Belmont University Honor Code.  “In affirmation of the Belmont University Statement of Values, I pledge that I will not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false or impermissible aid in course work, in the preparation of reports, or in any other type of work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of my grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud. Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of this Honor Pledge.”

 

Accommodation of Disabilities:  In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University will provide reasonable accommodation of all medically documented disabilities.  If you have a disability and would like the university to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course, please notify the Office of the Dean of Students located in Beaman Student Life Center (460-6407) as soon as possible.

 

Class Schedule:

 

Week

Date

Activities

1

Aug. 27

Class begins.

The ear-brain mechanism: the structure of the ear.

Reading:

Actual Size (Bulla)

The Ear and How it Works (Mathews)

2

Sept. 01, 03

NO CLASS Sept. 01 (Labor Day)

The ear-brain mechanism (cont.): cochlear structure, the organ of corti, basilar membrane, sensory cells

Quiz 1: The Ear and How it Works (Mathews)

Reading:

The Auditory Brain (Mathews)

3

Sept. 08, 10

Auditory performance parameters and the cognitive auditory system.  The ear-brain mechanism (cont.): masking curves & critical bandwidth. pitch perception (rate & place), cochlear tuning, neural processes,

Listening Demo: cochlear tuning and critical bandwidth using auditory beats & masking.

Quiz 2: The Auditory Brain (Mathews)

Reading:

The Ears are Analog Part 1 (Bulla)

The Ears are Analog Part 2 (Bulla)

4

Sept. 15, 17

Auditory precedence, summing localization, echo threshold.

Listening Demo: The precedence effect, detecting phase, level differences that affect location, binaural masking.

Quiz 3: Knowledge base to date.

Reading:

Echo Threshold & the Precedence Effect (Bulla)

The Pinna

5

Sept. 22, 24

Introduction to research design part 1

Seashore Test of Musical Aptitude (part 1: pitch, loudness, time)

6

Sept. 29, Oct 01

Seashore Test of Musical Aptitude (part 2: rhythm, timbre tonal memory)

Introduction to research design part 2

7

Oct. 06, 08

NO CLASS Fall Break (Watch the debate)

8

Oct. 13, 15

Auditory space perception: life-cycle of sound in space.

Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTF,) Minimum Audible Angle (MAA), pinna filtering, binaural localization (horizontal & vertical).  Discussion of research design & journal papers.

Listening Demo: Noise burst w/notch filtering

Quiz 4: Echo Threshold & the Precedence Effect

Reading:

Auditory Space Perception (Bulla)

Now Hear This: Spatial Hearing (parts 1 & 2) (Bulla)

AES paper # 6323 Localization in the Horizontal Plane (Jeppesen, Moller)

9

Oct. 20, 22

Review of knowledge base to date.

MID-TERM EXAM

10

Oct. 27, 29

Review mid-term exam

Auditory investigation class project.

Reading:

Audibility of a CD-Standard A/D/A Loop Inserted into High-Resolution Audio Playback (Meyer, Moran)

11

Nov. 03, 05

Psychophysical test (class project)

Reading: AES paper #5673 Localization of lateral phantom images in a 5-channel system with and without simulated early reflections (Corey, Woszczyk)

Discussion of AES paper #5673

12

Nov. 10, 12

Review & discussion of project data

13

Nov. 17, 19

Field trip to the Vanderbilt anechoic chamber.

Review of knowledge base to date.

Draft of research paper due.

14

Nov. 24, 26

NO CLASS Nov. 26 (Thanks Giving Break)

15

Dec. 01, 03

Revision and final draft of research paper due.

16

Dec. 8, 10

Review & FINAL EXAM (Wed. Dec. 10 7:00-9:00 PM)