Departments & Programs

Speech and Hearing Sciences

Course Descriptions
  • SPHS-A 100 American Sign Language I (4 cr.) Introductory sign language for students with no previous experience. Builds a good basic vocabulary of signs, teaches finger spelling, introduces basic aspects of the grammar and the proper use of facial expression in sign language conversation. Students are also exposed to Deaf culture. This course will not count as part of the 42 credit hours taken in the department by speech and hearing sciences majors.
  • SPHS-A 150 American Sign Language II (4 cr.) P: A100 or consent of instructor. Continues building receptive and expressive abilities. Puts emphasis on the use of signing space, facial grammar, body postures, fluent finger spelling, and continued vocabulary development. More complex grammatical structures are introduced. Deaf culture component included. This course will not count as part of the 42 credit hours taken in the department by speech and hearing sciences majors.
  • SPHS-A 200 American Sign Language III (3 cr.) P: A150 or consent of instructor. Emphasizes the development of conversational ability. Examines more complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on ability to use these structures in conversation. Readings, videos, and discussion cover characteristics of the Deaf population and their cultural values. This course will not count as part of the 42 credit hours taken in the department by speech and hearing sciences majors.
  • SPHS-A 250 American Sign Language IV (3 cr.) P: A200 or consent of instructor. Continues to develop knowledge of American Sign Language and of Deaf culture. Students will experience the language outside the classroom through interaction with the Deaf community. Credit given for only one of A250 or A300.
  • SPHS-S 110 Survey of Communication Disorders (3 cr.) CASE S&H Introduction to behavioral and social aspects of communication disorders. Includes a broad overview of human communication, with emphasis on development, adult functions, and cultural differences, in addition to disorders. Also examines general approaches to rehabilitation of the communicatively handicapped and current controversies.
  • SPHS-S 111 Introduction to Phonetics for Speech and Hearing Sciences (3 cr.) CASE N&M Scientific study of speech production, based on the International Phonetic Alphabet. Exercises in transcription.
  • SPHS-S 115 Honors Seminar (1-3 cr.) CASE N&M An undergraduate seminar targeting Hutton Honors College freshmen and sophomores. Topics covered vary from year to year, but the format consistently allows for in-depth exploration of puzzles, mysteries, and controversies in speech and hearing sciences. May be repeated twice with different topics for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • SPHS-S 201 Speech and Hearing Physiology (3 cr.) CASE N&M Introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism, including respiration, phonation, articulation/resonance, nervous system, and audition.
  • SPHS-S 275 Human Hearing and Communication (3 cr.) R: S111. Examines human hearing and communication, including the physics of sound, auditory anatomy and physiology, and auditory perception; diagnostic audiology, including hearing assessment and screening; rehabilitative audiology, including an overview of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and educational issues for children with hearing loss.
  • SPHS-S 290 Spoken Language Computer Interfaces (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: MATH M025 or above. R: CSCI A110 or INFO I101 or equivalent. The goal is to develop knowledge and competence in manipulating speech and language in computers. Basic principles and applications of voice input and output interfaces are taught. Topics include speech processing, synthesis and recognition, spoken-language interfaces, language translation, and Internet voice applications. Assignments are primarily laboratories and projects.
  • SPHS-S 302 Acoustics for Speech and Hearing Sciences (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: MATH A118, M118, S118, M119, M120, or any 200-level mathematics course. Basic acoustics with the emphasis being on topics applicable to the speech and hearing sciences. Acoustics of the speech and hearing mechanisms. Instrumentation for sound production and recording.
  • SPHS-S 307 Cognitive and Communicative Aspects of Aging (3 cr.) CASE N&M R: SPHS S201 or ANAT A215 or equivalent. Review of cognitive and communicative changes associated with normal aging as well as with diseases and conditions that are prevalent in the aging population. Includes discussion of methodological issues in research on aging as well as principles for maximizing communication with the elderly population.
  • SPHS-S 311 Introduction to Research in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (3 cr.) R: K300. Introduction to research methodology in the field, both basic and applied. Focuses on basic designs, analyses, and how research informs clinical practice. Course includes discussion of ethics, evaluation of research, and scientific writing.
  • SPHS-S 333 Childhood Language (3 cr.) CASE N&M R: LING L103 or L303. Develops student knowledge of how language is acquired by young children. Examines data on what young infants and young children know about language at different ages, and considers the kinds of theories that may explain this data.
  • SPHS-S 370 Clinical Issues in Audiology (1 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Introduction to clinical practice in audiology. Emphasis on familiarization with clinic equipment and protocol as well as clinical application of concepts learned in other audiology courses. A limited number of students may also qualify for supervised experiences in the clinic. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • SPHS-S 373 Laboratory in Amplification (1 cr.) C: S376. Laboratory exercises in hearing aid selection, fitting and evaluation, earmold acoustics, hearing aid instruction and repair, and electroacoustic evaluation of instruments. To be taken concurrently with S376.
  • SPHS-S 375 Hearing Science (3 cr.) Provides an in-depth study of hearing in the normal auditory system. Topics include anatomy and physiology of the ear, anatomy and physiology of the auditory brain, and auditory perception and psychophysics.
  • SPHS-S 376 Amplification for the Hearing Impaired (3 cr.) C: S373. Types and components of electroacoustic hearing aids, earmold acoustics, and procedures for the selection, evaluation, and fitting of hearing aids.
  • SPHS-S 378 Introduction to Psychoacoustics (3 cr.) Perception of sound by normal and hearing-impaired listeners. Topics covered include masking, pitch, loudness, sound localization, and other auditory phenomena.
  • SPHS-S 399 Reading and Research for Honors (1 cr.) P: Junior standing and approval of departmental honors committee.
  • SPHS-S 415 Seminar in Speech and Hearing Sciences (1-6 cr.) P: Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.000. Readings, experiments, and reports in area of student’s special interest. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • SPHS-S 420 Phonological Acquisition and Disorders in Children (3 cr.) P: S111 or LING L103 or L303. Survey of acquisition and development of sound systems, with focus on perception and production. Relationship between normal sound development and phonological disorders. Procedures for assessing and treating phonological disorders.
  • SPHS-S 436 Language Disorders in Children (3 cr.) P: S333 or S433. Theory and method in language assessment and intervention. Coverage of principles of language intervention based on psycholinguistic theory and research with language disordered children, design and execution of language intervention experiences; current alternative approaches to language intervention.
  • SPHS-S 444 Voice Physiology Across the Lifespan (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: S201. R: S111. Covers anatomical, biomechanical, and behavioral aspects of voice physiology and explores changes in the voice that occur from birth through adulthood. Discussion of normal voice function is augmented with descriptions of common causes of dysphonia, as well as lessons on how to maintain a healthy vocal system.
  • SPHS-S 445 Introduction to Fluency Disorders (3 cr.) Focuses on developmental stuttering, as well as cluttering, neurogenic stuttering, and psychogenic stuttering. Emphasis on the identification, behavior characteristics, and etiology of developmental stuttering, along with an overview of common diagnostic/treatment approaches for stuttering across the lifespan.
  • SPHS-S 462 Seminar/Practicum (1-3 cr.) P: S461. Beginning practicum experience in speech and language pathology, with seminar. May be repeated once for credit for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • SPHS-S 473 Principles of Speech-Language Pathology (3 cr.) P: One of SPHS-S420, SPHS-S436, or SPHS-S445. Examines the field of speech-language pathology, including assessment and treatment of speech and language disorders. In-class laboratory provides observation and experience with specific assessment procedures.
  • SPHS-S 474 Introduction to Audiological Testing (4 cr.) P: S275. Rationale and basic procedures in the evaluation of hearing loss. Laboratory exercises.
  • SPHS-S 475 Principles of Audiology (4 cr.) R: S275. Examines the field of audiology including assessment and treatment of hearing loss. Laboratory exercises are provided so that students can gain hands-on experience with hearing evaluation and treatment.
  • SPHS-S 477 Auditory Disorders (3 cr.) P: S275. Study of auditory pathology and the associated audiological test findings. Focus placed on etiology and the auditory and non-auditory manifestations of the disorders.
  • SPHS-S 478 Rehabilitative Audiology (3 cr.) P: S275. Basic orientation to audiologic rehabilitation for children and adults. Topics covered include speech acoustics, audiovisual speech perception, hearing aids, assistive listening devices, implantable auditory prostheses, cultural issues, and assessment and treatment options for children and adults with hearing loss.
  • SPHS-S 480 Independent Study in Speech and Hearing Sciences (1-3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Individual study under guidance of faculty member. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
  • SPHS-S 499 Reading and Research for Honors (1 cr.) P: Senior standing and approval of departmental honors committee. Course must be taken during the fall and spring of the academic year.