Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences

• SAR SH 221: Phonetics
  Phonetics is the science of the sounds of speech, including how they are produced, perceived, and classified. In this course, students will develop competence in perceiving and classifying the segmental and suprasegmental patterns of American English. Students will master the International Phonetic Alphabet for broad and narrow transcription of vowels, consonants, and connected speech. Classroom and lab-based activities will develop listening and transcription skills for analyzing individual differences in dialect and accent, phonological development, and disordered speech.
• SAR SH 497: Directed Study in Speech Pathology and Audiology
  Independent study in selected areas of speech and language disorders, language and learning disabilities, speech and hearing sciences, or audiology. Term paper or other project summary.
• SAR SH 521: Phonetics
  Application of International Phonetic Alphabet to sounds of American English. Detailed analysis of vowel and consonant sounds. Students learn and practice the skills necessary to analyze and transcribe speech sounds to describe the speech patterns of various American dialects and speech disorders.
• SAR SH 522: Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
  Study of the physiological structures and functions that underlie speech production. Emphasis is placed on the respiratory, phonatory, and articulatory systems. Introduction to neuroanatomy and neural control of the production of speech as well as dysfunction of these normal processes in clinical disorders is included.
• SAR SH 523: Introduction to Speech Science
  Lecture, laboratory, and demonstrations. Introduction to the basic physics of sound, including the decibel scale, spectral analysis, and resonance. Includes speech production, speech perception and suprasegmental effects.
• SAR SH 524: Language Acquisition
  This course will focus on first language acquisition in infancy and childhood. We will cover the progression of language development in each of the traditional areas of linguistic analysis: phonology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics. The course will be focused on experimental research in typical language acquisition and on different theories that strive to explain the underlying cognitive and linguistic mechanisms at work in an early learner.
• SAR SH 531: Introduction to Communication Disorders
  Introduction to various speech and language disorders found across linguistically and culturally diverse populations. Characteristics underlying biological systems and methods for evaluation and treating a variety or communication disorders are examined. Exploration of the professions of speech pathology and audiology.
• SAR SH 535: Introduction to Audiology
  Requires both lecture and lab to cover hearing assessment through the use of pure-tone and speech audiometric techniques as well as the measurement of middle-ear function. The course also includes information about the anatomy and physiology of the auditory system, acoustics, and the effect of noise on hearing.
• SAR SH 542: Aural Rehabilitation
  An introduction to theory and techniques of audiologic habilitation and rehabilitation in audiology and speech-language pathology. The significance of Deaf world issues in the field of aural rehabilitation is addressed throughout the course.
• SAR SH 547: Introduction to the Clinical Process I
  This course is designed to prepare speech-language pathology students to enter into clinical practicum. Students will study theories of clinical process through guided observation experiences, culminating to a final mini-practicum experience. As part of this course, students will complete the ASHA requirement of 25 clinical observation hours.
• SAR SH 548: Introduction to Language Disorders Across the Lifespan
  This course will provide a broad overview of language disorders across the life span. Students will learn about the causes and characteristics of a variety of developmental and acquired language disorders. We will discuss assessment of language skills and various evidence-based treatment methodologies using video demonstration, live observation, and simulated practical experiences.
• SAR SH 605: Speech Sound Disorders
  Current theoretical models of phonological development and analysis will be applied to decision making processes in assessment and treatment of speech sound disorders.
• SAR SH 620: Neuroimaging for Speech and Hearing Research
  In this course, students will learn the scientific and technical foundations of magnetic resonance imaging and their application to cognitive neuroscience research in speech, language, and hearing. Topics include acquisition of the MRI signal and its neuroanatomical and neurophysiological bases, the design of MRI experiments to study brain structure and function, and the statistical analysis of structural and functional MRI data. Through lectures, readings, and hands-on laboratory exercises using standard computational software for human neuroimaging, students will explore contemporary application of MRI techniques and gain practical experience acquiring and analyzing MRI data.
• SAR SH 642: Senior Seminar: Internship Experience
  The goal of this capstone seminar is to provide students with knowledge and skills in the application of different types of evidence as a basis for practice in a variety of clinical and research internships related to the disciplines of speech language and hearing sciences.
• SAR SH 647: Introduction to Clinical Process
  This course is designed to prepare first year MS-SLP students to enter into clinical practicum. Students will study theories of clinical process through guided observation experiences in preparation for SH740, their first practicum experience in the Boston University Academic Speech, Language and Hearing Center. Also as part of this course, students will complete the ASHA requirement of 25 clinical observation hours.
• SAR SH 650: Healthcare Seminar
  MS in Speech-Language Students only. The goal of this seminar is to provide students in medical field placements with knowledge regarding service delivery models, reimbursement issues, documentation requirements, assessment approaches, goal setting, interdisciplinary team approaches, prioritizing treatment concerns and discharge planning. Case study presentations and discussions will be generated from students' field placement experiences.
• SAR SH 680: Neural Control of Speech
  The course will focus on speech motor control, i.e. the production of phoneme strings with minimal regard for linguistic content. More specifically, brain mechanisms responsible for commanding the musculature of the vocal tract to produce articulations that lead to an acoustic signal that conveys a desired string of syllables with a desired prosodic contour will be covered. This treatment will include neuroanatomical and neurophysiological descriptions of the primary brain structures involved in speech production, with particular emphasis on the cerebral cortex and its interactions with the cerebellum and basal ganglia using basic control theory concepts to explore the computations performed by these brain regions.
• SAR SH 691: Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication
  History and theory of non-speech communication. Survey of types of augmentative communication aids, techniques, and symbol systems including sign language, and traditional and nonstandard orthography. Speech, language, and communication assessment and intervention strategies for non-speech communication modes. Funding and advocacy issues and procedures.
• SAR SH 700: Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
  Evidence-based practice in the diagnosis and remediation of speech, language or hearing disorders requires the application of research methods to answering clinical questions. The course includes an introduction to a range of experimental designs, statistical analyses, and measurement approaches in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. Contemporary journal articles are evaluated for quality and used as examples for sufficiency of evidence in clinical decision making.
• SAR SH 702: Public School Programming in Speech-Language Pathology
  MS Speech-Language Pathology students only. The goal of this seminar is to provide students in public school practicum placements with knowledge regarding school-related issues such as service delivery models, assessment approaches, curriculum frameworks, governing laws and regulations, and the consultation process.

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