Bi 463/563 Sensory Physiology

General Information

Sensory Physiology is an introduction to the world of animal sensory biology. How do animals find their way in the world? Do fish smell? How can bats use their auditory system to find flying moths... and how can the moths detect bat ultrasound and avoid becomming dinner.

We will take a comparative approach to sensory biology exploring a variety of neuroethological model systems, but we will also cover human sensory systems. Attention will be directed to the biophysics and cell biology of transduction: the conversion of real world signals (light, sound, vibration, etc) into a neural code. There is less emphasis placed on the central nervous system processing of sensory information.

NOTE: See the new pdf file on vertebrate eyes. There were some slides changed/added in the version presented in class relative to the previously posted file. There is only the pdf for this new one, not the powerpoint.

Spring 2008: Lectures are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM in room 381, Neuberger Hall.

Randy Zelick (your instructor) can be found in 332 Science Building II, or in 329 SB-II which is the lab across the hallway. I am often, but not always, available for drop-in chats. You may send an email to set up an appointment, or to ask questions. If the answer is not too elaborate, I will respond via email so you don't even have to stop by.

Also, I will have regular office hours when you are welcome to stop by:

    Wednesday 3:30 to 5:30 PM

Notes 3 April 2008: I scanned one chapter (well, actually the introduction to a block of several chapters) from the Smith book as an example of what a student chapter might look like. This one is a little short, but it serves to illustrate the idea of what is expected.

12 May 2008: Zelick is sick today, so no class. Enjoy the break!

14 May 2008: I fiddled around with the LaTex example that I passed out in class. I made some improvements and discovered some tricks. I put the files on the web site - the tex document, the pdf made from it, and the graphics files used. You can download and compile yourself if you want to try it out. Have fun!!