CSD 209 -- Acoustics of Speech and Hearing

James Madison University
Course Syllabus
CSD 209: ACOUSTICS OF SPEECH AND HEARING
Spring Semester, 2009
MWF 10:10-11:00am, HHS 1301

Instructor: Dan C. Halling, Ph.D.
Office: HHS 1129
Lab: HHS 1018
Phone: 568-3874
Office Hours: T 12-1; W 11-1; F 11-12
E-mail: hallindc@jmu.edu

Instructor: Rory A. DePaolis, Ph.D.
Office: HHS 1144
Lab: HHS 1142
Phone: 568-3869
Office Hours: TBA
E-mail: depaolra@jmu.edu

Teaching Assistants: email address: acoustics209@gmail.com
            Jess Miller: M 3-5; W 3-5 (1^st half of course)
            Meredith Robotti: M 11-1; H 12:30-2:30
            DePaolis GA: TBA (2^nd half of course)
Lecture notes for Dr. Halling are on reserve in the CISAT Library (to copy).
Lecture notes for Dr. DePaolis are found on Blackboard.

TEXTS:

Mullin, W.J., Gerace, W.J., Mestre, J.P., and Velleman, S.L. (2003). Fundamentals of Sound with Applications to Speech and Hearing. Allyn and Bacon. (Optional: On Reserve)
Ferrand, C. T. (2007). Speech Science: An integrated approach to theory and clinical practice. Allyn and Bacon.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Introduction to acoustics of speech and hearing. Topics include physical acoustics, sound generation and transmission, resonance, speech acoustics and speech perception.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Dr. Halling (formulas)	Mullin et al	Supp
· Introduction/Orientation/Basic mathematical concepts	10 I-L (p178-181), App A
· Characteristics of sound	chapter 1
Simple harmonic motion (SHM)/Uniform circular motion	10 A-D (p169-176)	#1 & #2
Instantaneous amplitude and digital signals
· Sound Transmission
Sound source/propagation medium
Speed of sound (c)/Wavelength (l)
Longitudinal and Transverse waves
· Simple and complex vibration	chapter 6	#3
Components of a complex waveform (link) (link)
Fourier analysis and synthesis	7A-B (p77-83)
Modes of vibration 1 2 3 4
· The decibel	10 E-H (p176-178)	#4 & #5
Intensity and Pressure	11 A-H (p185-190)
Adding decibels	11 K-L (p193-195)
Inverse square law
· Resonance		#6
Standing waves	chapters 2 & 3
Free and forced vibrations	chapter 4
Acoustical impedance
Filter functions	7 E (p86-87)
Dr. DePaolis		Ferrand
Source	See BB	ch 4, 6, 7
Filter	"	ch 8
Source-Filter Theory	"	ch 8, 9
Vowels	"	ch 8
Fricatives	"	ch 8
Stops & Affricates	"	ch 8
Nasals, liquids and glides	"	ch 8
Prosody and Coarticulation	"	ch 8
Auditory System		ch 10
Hearing Loss, Perception and Production Models		ch 11, 14

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
There will be four exams during the semester. Each will assess knowledge of material covered during that portion of the course and is worth 15% of the final grade. The dates of the exams are February 4^th, March 4^th, April 8^th, and May 8^th. Note that the final exam is offered on the Friday of exam week. The exam will not be offered early (plan your travel around this)! In addition to the exams, there will be exercises, lab assignments, and pop quizzes, which will combine for 40% of the final grade (10% for exercises, 25% for labs, and 5% for quizzes). The quizzes will test you upon the assigned reading and class lecture material (keep up!). Assessment day is February 17^th, and every CSD student is required to attend Sophomore and Senior assessment in order to graduate with a degree in CSD.

ADMINISTRIVIA:

Students need to have access to a computer capable of running free software for analyzing acoustic signals. It is easiest if the computer is connected to the internet, as students will need to download software and email sound files. The computer must be sound capable (microphone and speakers/headphones).
Students must have access to a scientific calculator that has LOG, ANTILOG (10^x), and SIN functions.
Letter grades will be assigned according to 93%=A, 90%=A-, 87%=B+, etc.
There will be no makeup exams.
Attendance is expected. History has shown that performance in the class is tied to regular attendance. Class members are responsible for any information, assignments, deadlines, etc., that are announced in class, or any changes in deadlines, etc announced in class. Quizzes are not announced, and students are not allowed to make up a quiz because they were not in class.
All written work is expected to conform to proper grammar and punctuation.

POLICIES and REQUIREMENTS

Academic Honesty

All students are expected to adhere to the JMU Honor Code. Upon enrollment at JMU, each student is subject to the provisions of the Honor system and has a responsibility to become familiar with the Honor Code and the provisions of the Honor system. Each examination, paper, and other written or electronically submitted assignment is submitted pursuant to the Honor Code.

Disability Statement

If you are a student with a documented disability who will be requesting accommodations in class, please make sure you are registered with the Office of Disability Services (http://www.jmu.edu/disabilityser/) and provide one of us with an Access Plan letter outlining you accommodations. We will be glad to meet with you privately during office hours to discuss your special needs.

Inclement Weather

For information on cancellation of class go to the JMU web page (http://www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/students/), 1610AM, or listen to local radio stations.

Safezone

Dr. DePaolis is a member of Safe Zone. Safe Zone JMU is a program through which faculty, students, and staff at the university are educated and informed about the special needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) people on our campus. The Safe Zone sticker, which is displayed in offices across campus, helps to convey a message that the person displaying it is supportive, trustworthy, and sensitive to the needs and concerns of GLBT people. In addition, it makes a statement that homophobic and heterosexist comments and actions will not be tolerated but instead, will be addressed in an educational and informative, non-threatening manner.