Speech and Hearing Science

Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
122 Cary Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3005
(716) 829-2797
Fax: (716) 829-3979
Web: Communicative Disorders and Sciences
Elaine Stathopoulos, Chair
Jan Charles-Luce, Director of Undergraduate Studies

The Program
The undergraduate program in the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences (CDS) is a preprofessional program leading to a bachelor of arts degree. The preprofessional major in speech and hearing science provides the common core of knowledge concerning the normal processes of speech, language, and hearing that is required for a background for study of disorders of communication. No certification is available based on the undergraduate curriculum. The graduate degree is the entry level into the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.

The student who successfully completes the undergraduate major in speech and hearing science and who wishes to become professionally qualified as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist must apply to a graduate program offering a master's degree for speech-language pathology or a doctorate of audiology for audiology.

After gaining admission to the department by completing CDS282, CDS286, and CDS288 with a minimum combined GPA of 2.5, each student is assigned a departmental faculty advisor who assists the student in program planning. It is the responsibility of the student to make an appointment with the faculty advisor to request assistance of any kind. A message folder is established for each major in the department. Please check that folder as it is used to contact students and circulate information.

Graduation with Distinction
Students who perform exceptionally well in their CDS academic courses are recommended for graduation with distinction, high distinction, and highest distinction.

Departmental Honors Program
The honors program stimulates excellence by encouraging students to undertake in-depth study in a specialty area within the fields of communicative disorders and sciences. Students gain a more sophisticated understanding of at least one aspect of the field and develop their analytical skills or creative talents. A senior thesis is required. Students who complete the project receive a recognition certificate from the department.

Transfer Policy
If prospective majors have taken courses at another school that they believe are equivalent to the required courses of the department, transfer evaluation and waiver request forms may be obtained from the department office.

Communicative Disorders and Sciences (CDS)

151 Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (3) (F)
Surveys the field of communication disorders and introduces the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. Introduces the nature of communication disorders and the effects of speech-language-hearing handicaps on the lives of individuals, families, and society. Informational course for students in education, social, and health-related fields who deal with persons whose communicative behaviors are at variance with the norm. LEC

282 Applied Physics of Sound (4) (F)
Prerequisite: ULC148 or MTH115 or higher
Overview of the mathematical and physical bases necessary to understand acoustic phenomena related to speech and hearing. Students discover acoustics and solve realistic problems using computer systems to create, analyze, and listen to sounds. Lab section included. LEC/LAB

286 Phonetics (3) (F)
Introduces the fundamentals of articulatory and acoustic phonetics; general principles of speech production and speech perception; recognition and description of English phonemes and allophonic variation; transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet. LEC

287 Psychoacoustic Science (3) (F)
Prerequisite: CDS282
Acoustic science background necessary for study in speech pathology, audiology, physical acoustics, electroacoustics, speech acoustics, psychoacoustics, psychology and hearing science. LEC

288 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism (3) (F)
Anatomic presentation of the respiratory, laryngeal and supralaryngeal areas of the speech mechanism. Examines muscle and skeletal structure for each speech component. Emphasizes an in-depth discussion of breathing physiology for speech, laryngeal function for phonation and supralaryngeal function for articulation and resonance. Provides an anatomic and physiologic basis for all speech and voice disorders. LEC

289 General and Speech Acoustics (3) (Sp)
Prerequisites: CDS282, CDS288
Simple and complex waveform characteristics. Discusses acoustic-phonetic composition of vowels, semi-vowels, nasals, and obstruents, including models of speech perception. LEC

290 Audiology: Diagnosis and Management (3) (Sp)
Introduces etiology, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of auditory disorders. LEC

301 Language Development in Children (3) (F)
Acquisition of the form and function of language by typical developing children. Discusses the normal development of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics from infancy through early adolescence by examining empirical data and current theoretical issues and controversies. Examines the emergence of literacy skills and the differences in acquisition between mono- and bi- (or multi-)-lingual children. Includes the impact of cultural, ethnic, gender, socioeconomic, and individual variation on children's normal language acquisition. LEC

302 Language Disorders in Children (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: CDS301
The study of language disorders in children, including mental retardation, language learning disabilities, and autism. Topics include assessment techniques with emphasis on language sample analysis, consideration of dialect differences, and treatment techniques to facilitate generalization. LEC

383 Anatomy and Physiology of Audition (3) (Sp)
Prerequisites: CDS282, CDS287
Introduces the anatomy and physiology of the auditory system from the cochlea to the cortex. LEC

428 Neural Basis of Communication (3) (F)
Prerequisites: SHS majors only, senior standing
Basic concepts of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology as the foundation for diagnosis and treatment of communication problems of neurologically impaired children and adults. LEC

428 Neural Basis of Communication Lab (1) (F)
Prerequisite: senior standing in speech and hearing science
Corequisite: CDS428 LEC
Anatomical demonstrations associated with classroom demonstrations. LAB

480 Clinical Observation and Participation (1) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: senior standing in speech and hearing science
Presentations and class discussions related to assessment and remediation of a variety of communication disorders. Minimum of twenty-five clock hours of directed observation in the areas of diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, and hearing disorders which is required by ASHA as a prerequisite to clinical practicum. LAB

482 Diagnostics in Communicative Disorders (3) (F)
Prerequisite: senior standing in speech and hearing science
Procedures involved in the formal and informal evaluation of a variety of speech and language disorders in children and adults. Units include assessment of speech and language interactions in the home, clinic, and school settings. LEC

483 Diagnostics in Communicative Disorders Lab (1) (F)
Prerequisite: senior standing in speech and hearing science
Corequisite: CDS482
Practical experience in interviewing, test administration, oral facial examination, and conferencing during the diagnostic process. LAB

484 Aural Rehabilitation (3) (F)
Prerequisites: CDS290, senior standing in speech and hearing science
Studies the effect of hearing impairment on children and adults. Examines the application of knowledge of acoustics, linguistics, cognition, learning, and counseling psychology to the reduction of hearing handicaps. LEC

485 Speech Pathology in the Schools (3) (Sp)
Prerequisites: CDS302, CDS482, senior standing in speech and hearing science
Organization and administration of speech, language, and hearing programs in schools. Current legislation and practices in school programs. Includes models of service delivery, individualized educational programming, rights and responsibilities of teachers and other staff; instructional design and planning including case selection; multicultural and bilingual considerations; speech-language pathologist's role in language and literacy development. Required for certification of Teachers of the Speech-Language and Hearing Handicapped. LEC

492 Phonological Disorders: Diagnosis and Management (3) (Sp)
Prerequisites: CDS286, CDS301, speech and hearing science majors
Phonological development in children with normal language skills; introduces organic speech disorders and functional misarticulation in young children; discusses etiology of disorders and principles of diagnostics; and introduces basic remediation plans. LEC

493 Honors Research Seminar (3) (F)
Students admitted to the Early Admission Program (early admission to the graduate program in CDS at UB) participate in tutorials from individual academic and clinical faculty members in the department covering research and clinical methods in speech, language, and hearing abilities and disorders. Readings are pertinent to each topic, and students complete a paper or project with a faculty member in an area of interest. SEM

499 Independent Study (1-4) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: permission by petition
Individual project or inquiry into an area of relevance to a student's particular interest within the field of communicative disorders and sciences. Must secure permission of instructor prior to enrollment. TUT

Speech and Hearing Science - B.A.

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses: CDS282, CDS286, CDS288

Advising Notes
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in CDS courses and a minimum grade of "C-" in each required CDS course is needed to graduate
CDS courses must be taken for letter grades; S/U grading not allowed

Required Courses
BIO129 Perspectives in Human Biology
BIO130 Perspectives in Human Biology
CDS151 Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
CDS282 Applied Physics of Sound
CDS286 Phonetics
CDS287 Psychoacoustic Science
CDS288 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
CDS289 General and Speech Acoustics
CDS290 Audiology: Diagnosis and Management
CDS301 Language Development in Children
CDS302 Language Disorders in Children
CDS383 Anatomy and Physiology of Audition
CDS480 Clinical Observation and Participation
CDS482 Diagnostics in Communicative Disorders
CDS483 Diagnostics in Communicative Disorders Lab
CDS492 Phonological Disorders: Diagnosis and Management
CSE101 Computers: A General Introduction
MTH115 Survey of Algebra and Trigonometry or ULC148 Intermediate Algebra and Trigonometry
PSY101 Introductory Psychology
One linguistics course (choose from LIN205, 207, 315, or any 300/400-level LIN course except LIN355)
One statistics course (choose from CEP207, PSY207, SOC294, SSC225, STA111-112, or STA119)
Two human behavior courses (choose from AAS333, APY311, COM423, LAI205/SSC208, NUR250, PRS213-214, PSY221, PSY222, PSY223, PSY224, SOC304, SOC308, SOC313, SOC314, SSC363)

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Major Requirements

First Year
Fall-BIO129, CDS151, CSE101, PSY101
Spring-BIO130, MTH115, one linguistics course (LIN205, 207, 315, or any 300/400-level LIN course except LIN355)

Second Year
Fall-CDS282, CDS286, CDS288
Spring-CDS289, CDS290, one statistics course (CEP207, PSY207, SOC294, SSC225, STA111-112, or STA119)

Third Year
Fall-CDS287, CDS301, one human behavior course
Spring-CDS302, CDS383, one human behavior course

Fourth Year
Fall-CDS482, CDS483
Spring-CDS492
Fall or Spring-CDS480

Summary
Total required credit hours in communicative disorders and sciences - 39
Total required credit hours outside communicative disorders and sciences - 27

Speech and Hearing Science - Minor
The field of communicative disorders and sciences relates to many fields and subspecialties. For this reason, the department offers a minor for students who are majors or prospective majors in other departments. Students may choose courses to meet their specific interests.

Required Courses
CDS151 Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Five additional CDS courses, which may include independent study
Total required credit hours - 18

Academic Affairs

Phone: (716) 645-6003

Fax: (716) 645-2549

Last updated: Thursday, 09-Dec-2004 15:21:16 EST