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Unit of study_
BIOS1163: Speech Science
2026 unit information
This unit provides an understanding of the anatomy, physiology and physics of speech and sound. Students will gain a detailed knowledge of head and neck anatomy as well as functional activities involving swallowing and speech. The unit will also cover breathing and respiration mechanisms required for speech in normal and pathological conditions. This unit includes laboratory classes in which human body donors are utilised; attendance at such classes is required.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Department of Medical Sciences |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Use anatomical and directional terminology appropriately.
- LO2. Understand the ethics of working with human cadavers.
- LO3. Name and describe the structure and function of the four basic tissues in the body, and the basic structure of the peripheral nervous system.
- LO4. Identify and describe the anatomical features of the skull and describe the differences between adult and foetal skulls.
- LO5. Understand and describe the anatomy and movements of joints, focusing on the temporomandibular joint, and identify and describe the anatomy, movements and innervation of the muscles of mastication and facial expression.
- LO6. Understand and describe the anatomy, function and innervation of the oral cavity, the hard and soft palates, pharynx, larynx and their component structures, and their influence on swallowing, sound production and speech.
- LO7. Understand and describe the blood supply and lymphatic drainage of the head and neck, and understand the role of the lymphatic system in disease.
- LO8. Understand and identify the sensory and motor nerve supply to the head and neck, and be able to deduce the effect of a nerve lesion on speech and swallowing.
- LO9. Understand, define and apply principles of physics associated with production of speech including vibrations and waves, superposition of waves, standing waves, frequency response curves and Fourier’s theorem, sound production, fluid flow and the Bernoulli principle, myoelastic aerodynamic theory and source filter theory.
- LO10. Understand and describe the normal anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system.
- LO11. Understand the basic processes of respiration and the roles of relaxation pressure, maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure in respiration for speech.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2026
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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