2025/26 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ARCS1147 Fundamentals of Hearing Science

20 Credits Class Size: 35

Module manager: Ted Killan
Email: e.killan@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

Pre-requisite qualifications

Programme entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Audiology

Module replaces

ARCS1103 Neurosensory Anatomy and Physiology ARCS1105 Neurosensory Physics and Measurement

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module introduces students to the underlying principles of hearing science. Lectures, tutorials, practicals and independent study will cover a range of topics essential to understanding the sense of hearing. These include acoustics, anatomy and physiology and psychoacoustics.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to provide students with foundational knowledge and understanding of the bases of hearing science.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Apply fundamental physical and mathematical concepts relevant to audiology

2. Understand the basic principles of acoustics and sound measurements

3. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the peripheral and central auditory system

4. Understand the fundamentals of psychophysics and the perception of sound

Skills outcomes

Performing sound measurements

Use of mathematical formulae

Using and interpreting schematic diagrams

Syllabus

Indicative topics include:

- Physical and mathematical concepts relevant to hearing science

- Acoustics

- Measurement of sound

- Anatomy of the ear

- Physiology of the auditory periphery

- Neurophysiology of the auditory system

- Introductory psychoacoustics

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 7 2 14
Practical 1 3 3
Tutorial 3 1 3
Independent online learning hours 21
Private study hours 159
Total Contact hours 20
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

Independent online learning:

This module covers seven main topics. Each topic will have an introductory lecture and typically three hours online independent study. This will involve reading/watching a range of resources and completion of structured tasks. Understanding of the content of online independent learning will be formatively assessed via tutorials and self-evaluation quizzes.

Private study:

Students will be required to undertake further reading and revision to prepare for the summative assessment.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Review of structured online independent learning during tutorial sessions. Students will have the opportunity to seek feedback on their understanding of the structured tasks.

- Provision of model answers to self-evaluation quizzes (one 0.5 hour quiz for each topic = 3.5 hours in total). Quiz style will be in similar format to summative exam to facilitate development of exam technique.

- Understanding of sound measurements will be monitored through completion of the sound measurement practical

Exams
Exam type Exam duration % of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S1) 3.0 Hrs 1 Mins 100
Online Time-Limited assessment 3.5 Hrs 0 Mins 0
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) 100

This module provides content fundamental to audiological clinical practice. Solid knowledge and understanding of these topics are essential for students’ future clinical competence, therefore a timed, face to face, invigilated exam is required.

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 05/08/2025

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team