Course Description
Eleven lectures will be devoted to the organization of the visual system and eye-movement control. Topics covered will include:
- The Retina
- The Lateral Geniculate Nucleus and the Visual Cortex
- The Parallel Channels of the Visual System
- The Processing of Color
- Motion
- Depth and Form
- The Neural Control of Visually Guided Eye Movements
Eleven lectures will be devoted to audition. The topics will include:
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Sound; External, Middle, and Inner Ears
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Hair Cells: Transduction, Electrophysiology and “Cochlear Amplifier”
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Auditory Nerve; Psychophysics of Frequency Discrimination
- Hearing Loss and Cochlear Implants
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Cochlear Nucleus: Tonotopy, Unit types and Cell types
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Brainstem reflexes: OC Efferents and Middle Ear Muscles
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Sound Localization. I. Psychophysics and Neural Circuits
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Sound Localization. II. Superior Olivary Complex and Inferior Colliculus
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Auditory Cortex. I. General Physiology and Role in Sound Localization
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Auditory Cortex. II. Bats and Echolocation; Language
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Eaton-Peabody Lab Tour at Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary in Boston
The following topics examine anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system which are relevant to speech and hearing. Specific topics include:
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The Connections, Neurochemistry and Single-neuron Physiology of the Brainstem Auditory System, including the Feedback Control Systems
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The Midbrain and Forebrain Auditory System
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Auditory Evoked Potentials
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Motor Control and the Control of the Muscles of Speech
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Cortical Representation of Speech and Language Function
The last session will provide an overview of the auditory and visual systems.
In preparation for each session, students are strongly encouraged to do the preparatory assigned reading from my website prior to attending each class.
Readings
The reading assignments will, for the most part, draw on original research articles. As the course proceeds, there will be increasing time devoted to class discussion.
Requirements
Class participation
Paper report
Midterm exam
Final exam