The Neuroscience of Music

Catalog description

NEUR 1000 is the pre-requisite course for all Penn LPS Online Neuroscience courses. Music is a biological mystery: a ubiquitous human behavior with no obvious value for survival. Why do all human cultures have music? What accounts for the common threads running through the world's music? We look for answers by looking at the auditory system: the ear and especially the brain, in humans and in animals. Topics like musical universals, consonance and dissonance, scale structure, music, and emotion, music theory, talent, and improvisation are greatly illuminated by thinking about their neurobiological foundations. You have the option to enroll in this individual course without committing to the entire Certificate in Neuroscience, enjoying the flexibility and expertise offered by Penn LPS Online to suit your schedule and interests. BAAS students, certificate students, and those taking individual courses must first complete NEUR 100 before enrolling in this course.