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BSc Computer Science (Human Computer Interaction) / Course details

Year of entry: 2021

Course unit details:
Sensory Systems for Human Computer Interaction

Unit code BIOL22341
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Offered by School of Biological Sciences
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Sensory Systems provides an understanding of how we see, hear, smell, taste and feel. You will gain an understanding of the mechanisms that allow us to receive sensory information and how it is processed by the relevant areas of the brain.

 

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Excitable Cells BIOL10832 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
BIOL10832 is a compulsory pre-requisite of BIOL22341

Aims

This course aims to explain:

• how external stimuli impact upon central neural pathways to give rise to perception

• the nature and extent of sensory systems from periphery to CNS, with emphasis on the higher mammalian systems, but including appropriate comparative comparisons.

• basic elements of the cognitive processes involved in sensory interpretation and reaction.

 

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to:
  • comprehend the ability of nervous systems to access, integrate and interpret sensory information
  • understand the common plan of sensory systems across species, as models for neuroscience research
  • look beyond ’sense’ to cognition.

Group/team working  

  • Encourage the use of Blackboards discussion group for student-to-student communication. There is also a student led discussion group. 

Oral communication  

  • Students are reminded (repeatedly) to ask questions during or after lectures, and one session is devoted to discussion of examination questions and how best to answer them. 

Research       

  • Looking at research, as presented in the lecture course; with insight into research methods etc.  

Written communication          

  • Strongly encourage the use of Blackboards discussion group.  

 

Teaching and learning methods

All lecture material will be offered in advance on Blackboard. An appropriate mini-exam will be provided for week 7 and a forum for discussion. "Interesting examples" of non-lecture materials, designed to highlight aspects of the lecture-based material, will be provided.

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 10%
Written exam 45%
Written assignment (inc essay) 45%

2 on-line MCQ tests in weeks 7 and 11 - 10%

Written assessment in weeks 6-7 - 45%

Written examination in MCQ + short answer format, covering all aspects of the course, lecture-based or Blackboard. It will include a choice of 15/30 MCQ’s and 3 sections of short answer questions with a choice of 1/3 questions in each section i.e. 3 questions in total. (It is suggested that students spend 20 minutes on MCQ’s and 40 minutes on short answers.)

1 hour in length - 45%

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 22
Independent study hours
Independent study 78

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Kenneth Grieve Unit coordinator

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