| We
will use Fourier analysis and other techniques to
analyze several different types of biological signals.
In this course, biological signals will include
the signals produced by different animals for communication
such as sounds and speech. In addition, we may study
the electrical signals produced by nerve, heart,
or muscle cells. Analysis of these signals gives
us a better understanding of how these tissues work.
We will start by analyzing components of our own
speech. You may think that we recognize spoken words
by the pitch and intensity of the sounds produced.
Yet, two different people can produce the same words
using sounds of very different pitches and intensities.
So how is it that we recognize the same word spoken
by different individuals? Fourier analysis may give
us some clues to this puzzle.
We will, therefore, review the mathematics behind
Fourier analysis. Then, we will use these tools
to study the human ear and hearing. Toward the end
of the semester, we may record EEG (brain waves)
from each other and attempt to analyze these signals. |
