BIONB 4960 - [Bioacoustic Signals in Animals and Man]

Fall. 3 credits. S-U or letter grade option.

Prerequisites: Two majors-level biology courses, PHYS 1101–PHYS 1102 or PHYS 2207–PHYS 2208, and permission of instructor. Offered alternate years. Next offered 2012-2013. Junior, senior, or graduate standing. Limited to 12 students.

C. W. Clark and R. R. Hoy.

Teaches students about animal acoustic signaling by introducing them to various animal acoustic systems. Presents the physical properties of sound, physiological mechanisms for sound production and hearing, and the behavioral contexts in which sounds are used. Acoustic techniques are provided in the laboratory where students learn how to record, synthesize, and analyze sounds with the aid of recorders and Mac and/or PC computers running customized software. Labs are designed around the lecture material and provide practical real-world exercises designed to stimulate discovery of fundamental principles described in lectures. Class research projects on a selected topic in bioacoustics are required. Engineering students with interests in music, audio analysis, digital signal processing, and computer science are encouraged.