AUDIOL 701 : Auditory Neuroscience
Medical and Health Sciences
2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Auditory Neuroscience AUDIOL701 (together with the course, Central Auditory Function AUDIOL704 in the second semester), provides a scientific foundation for audiology by examining how our auditory system works: how our ears interact with sound, how they transduce sound energy into neural information, how this is processed by the brain, and how these processes manifest in auditory behaviour. The course begins with a broad overview of how we hear, then describes the anatomy and basic function of the components of the ear and auditory brain. It then explores the physiology of hearing, working through the functions of the outer and middle ear to the inner ear where the processes of sound transduction and balance are explored. We then work up into the auditory brain and discuss how aspects of auditory behaviour occur, and develop an understanding of the underlying neuroscience of hearing. Throughout the course, we consider how the normal function of the auditory system may be interrupted by pathologies, and and through regular interactive sessions, discuss how this manifests clinically. We will also examine the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system to introduce the scientific foundation of balance as a foundation for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of balance disorders. To develop good understanding in this course, it is important for students to develop an understanding of the basic physics of mechanical systems, impedance, and the nature of sound and its measurement, so the course is strongly linked to the course on Physics and Acoustics for Audiology (AUDIOL715). The course is delivered through a lectures/seminars and student interactive sessions and coursework.
Course Contacts
Course Administrator
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of the anatomy of the brain including the cranial nerves (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the ear and the auditory nerve pathways. (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
- Understand and explain the processes of detection of sound and head movement by the ear. (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
- Understand and critically evaluate scientific literature and communicate this to others (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
- Understand and explain the physiology of the central auditory system and its response to sound. (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Understand and integrate fundamental aspects of psychoacoustics with the underlying auditory neuroscience. (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
- Express an ability to integrate the scientific basis of hearing and hearing behaviour and relevant aspects of clinical audiology and daily life (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
- Demonstrate an understanding of and be able to critically evaluate the role of the vestibular system in maintaining balance (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Test 1: Basic anatomy and physiology of the ear | 10% | Individual Test |
| Test 2: Basic anatomy and physiology of the ear | 10% | Individual Test |
| Test 3: Central auditory anatomy and physiology | 10% | Individual Test |
| Test 4: Vestibular anatomy and physiology | 10% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 60% | Individual Examination |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |||
| Test 1: Basic anatomy and physiology of the ear | ||||||||||
| Test 2: Basic anatomy and physiology of the ear | ||||||||||
| Test 3: Central auditory anatomy and physiology | ||||||||||
| Test 4: Vestibular anatomy and physiology | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect a 2 hour lecture and a seminar, tutorial or interactive practical session of up to three hours (varying according to topic and need). The remaining hours will include reading and self-directed learning of content, work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures, seminars and tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars and tutorials will be available only when possible as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions and tutorials.
The tests and exam will be delivered in person.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
This course has been co-ordinated by an academic who is retiring new staff will be appointed to this role and will revise and adjust the course according to their expertise and SET feedback at a later date.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.