Postgraduate Module Descriptor


ANTM108: Bioacoustics

This module descriptor refers to the 2016/7 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • The soundscape and acoustic ecology
  • Human and nonhuman acoustemology
  • Infrasound, ultrasound and the sonic spectrum
  • Bernie Krause and niche hypothesis
  • Noise pollution and nonhuman animal behavior
  • Sound, animals and sensory politics
  • Zoomusicology
  • Hearing birdsong: a case study
  • Sound and cellular life (amplification, sonification and transduction)
  • Sound and cryptozoology

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
201300

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity1010 x 1 hour podcast audio lectures with accompanying powerpoint presentations
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity1010 x 1 hour discussion/ seminar participations on the VLE discussion forums (including formative assessments)
Guided independent study45Weekly preparatory reading for lectures and seminars
Guided Independent Study30Preparation for formative assessments
Guided Independent study50Research and writing of summative assessments
Guided Independent study5Listening exercise

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Antennae, Issue 27 (Winter). Bioacoustics. http://www.antennae.org.uk/back-issues-2013/4583481046

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Elephant Listening Project.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/elephant/cyclotis/language/infrasound.html

Other Learning Resources

Audio recordings:

Cusack, P. 2012. Sounds from dangerous places. ReR Megacorp.

Watson, Chris. 2000. Outside the Circle of Fire. Touch.