Course structure and projects for undergraduate CSD Acoustic Phonetics courses

Abstract

Virtually all undergraduate communication sciences and disorders programs require a course in acoustic phonetics (sometimes titled speech science). In our undergraduate program, students have a separate phonetics (transcription) course prior to taking the acoustic phonetics course. My acoustic phonetics course splits the content into two halves: In the first half of the course we focus on the source, including basic acoustics (SHM, harmonics), vocal fold vibration, modes of phonation, and intonation. In the second half of the course, we focus on the filter, including resonance and tube models, vowel formants, and consonant acoustics. In this way, more abstract and basic acoustic properties are interwoven with specific examples of speech-related acoustics. Students complete one project using Praat that focuses on intrinsic F0. The project is divided into four components across the semester. The talk will focus on changes in course structure and the project.