Communication Sciences & Disorders (COMM)

COMM 401 - American Sign Language I

Credits: 4

This course provides an introduction to American Sign Language with emphasis on visual receptive and expressive use of language, as well as providing opportunities for other forms of visual communication such as facial expression, mime, and gesture. Participants develop their skills through videotapes, classroom participation, and readings that cover issues important to the Deaf community. An online language laboratory is required as part of this course.

Equivalent(s): ASL 435

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 420 - Survey of Communication Disorders

Credits: 4

This course provides an introduction of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) as it relates to the CSD undergraduate major and the professions of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Students will learn about foundational knowledge of the speech and hearing mechanism, language development, normal communication processes, diagnoses, and treatment across different communication disorders and lifespans. Given the importance of communication, the course information can be applied to various human service careers.

Equivalent(s): COMM 520

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 502 - American Sign Language II

Credits: 4

This course provides continued acquisition of American Sign Language with an emphasis on active language use to improve speed and accuracy. Advanced linguistic principles of ASL as well as the cultural considerations are presented. Comparison of ASL with signed languages from around the world will be explored. An online language laboratory is required as part of this course.

Equivalent(s): ASL 436, COMM 402

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 504 - Basic Audiology

Credits: 4

This course provides an overview of the profession and practice of Audiology. Students will learn about the causes of hearing loss and the diagnostic process. The anatomy and physiology of the auditory system will be reviewed. The physical properties of sound will be studied, particularly as these relate to hearing loss.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 522 with a minimum grade of C and COMM 636 with a minimum grade of C.

Equivalent(s): COMM 704

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 521 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms

Credits: 4

This course provides the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, neurology, and function of the mechanisms associated with speech, language, swallowing, and hearing. Multi-media platforms, class and group discussions, and problem-based learning will be utilized. Students will gain the essential foundation and knowledge for assessment, treatment, and management related to communication and swallow disorders.

Prerequisite(s): BMS 507 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 522 - Language Acquisition

Credits: 4

This course is an introduction to typical language acquisition. The progression of language development is examined within a linguistic framework, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Theories of language acquisition overviewed.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 524 with a minimum grade of C.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 524 - Clinical Phonetics

Credits: 4

This course focuses on the application of the International Phonetic Alphabet to describe adult, child, and disordered speech production. Students will learn to use broad and narrow transcriptions of speech. Information on basic speech science, acoustic and articulatory phonetics, and acoustic analysis of speech production will be provided.

Prerequisite(s): LING 405 with a minimum grade of D- or ENGL 405 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 610 - Fact, Fiction, Fraud: Evaluating Motivations, Claims, and Evidence

Credits: 4

This course provides students with an understanding of evidence‐based practice in communication sciences and disorders. Students will learn critical thinking skills through the evaluation of products, interventions, and claims about them. The course also discusses issues involved in fraudulent claims and the role of the media in perpetuating false claims about different areas of study.

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 402 with a minimum grade of D-.

Equivalent(s): COMM 510

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 636 - Speech and Hearing Science

Credits: 4

This course provides the student with information on the understanding and application of waveform analysis (acoustic and aerodynamic), basic processing of auditory information, and physiological and cultural bases of hearing and speech production/perception.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 521 with a minimum grade of C.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM #701 - Principles of Assessment

Credits: 2

Principles and practice for diagnosis of speech and language disorders; examination procedures and measurement techniques. Accelerated Master's CSD majors only.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 723 with a minimum grade of D- and COMM 724 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM #702 - Principles of Intervention

Credits: 2

An introduction to the clinical process. Part I emphasizes the theory and practice of interventions. Part II addresses oral and written communication involved in the clinical process, the importance of clinical writing, and common reports/documents. Accelerated Master's CSD majors only.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 723 with a minimum grade of D- and COMM 724 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 703 - Ethical and Professional Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders I

Credits: 1

Introduction to ethical and professional issues that professionals will encounter in various work settings including regulatory, billing practices, service delivery models, and the role of advocacy for client services. Accelerated Master's CSD majors only.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 723 with a minimum grade of D- and COMM 724 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 705 - Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation

Credits: 4

This course provides an overview of auditory perception and the re(h)abilitive process for individuals with hearing loss and auditory disorders. The principles of intervention, communication options, and vocational/educational resources will be studied. Students will learn about amplification systems and other technology used to improve audition, including hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 504 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 711 - Brain and Behavior

Credits: 3

This course is an overview to Neuroscience/Neurology as it applies to Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field that combines biological, chemical and psychological perspectives to better understand neuron structure and function, thought, emotion, and behavior. It integrates research approaches of a variety of disciplines, ranging from cellular and molecular neurosciences to the psychology of cognition and perception. The focus will be limited to the brain and cognition and application to CSD. Accelerated Master's CSD majors only.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 723 with a minimum grade of D- and COMM 724 with a minimum grade of D- and COMM 742 with a minimum grade of D- and COMM #701 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 721 - Speech Sound Disorders

Credits: 3

Course provides students with detailed knowledge of speech sound disorders in children and adults with communication disorders. Current practices are discussed in relation to the early identification, screening, differential diagnosis, and possible etiology of speech sound disorders. Evidence-based practices across the life-span are critically reviewed related to different speech sound disorders and how different remediation approaches are needed depending on the specific problem demonstrated by a client. Accelerated Master's CSD majors only.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 723 with a minimum grade of D- and COMM 724 with a minimum grade of D- and COMM #701 with a minimum grade of D- and COMM #702 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 723 - Observation Skills in Speech-Language Pathology

Credits: 2

This course is designed to provide opportunities to observe clients with communication disorders. Observations will include both assessment and intervention techniques. Students successfully completing this course will accrue observation hours that can be applied to the requirement for graduate studies.

Grade Mode: Credit/Fail Grading

COMM 724 - Senior Capstone

Credits: 4

This course allows students to synthesize and apply their knowledge and skills of communication sciences and disorders. It is designed to foster a reflection of their undergraduate learning experience and further explores areas of professional pathways.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Prerequisite(s): COMM 420 with a minimum grade of C and COMM 522 with a minimum grade of C and (COMM 504 with a minimum grade of C or COMM 604 with a minimum grade of C).

Equivalent(s): COMM 635

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 740 - Treatment of Adults with Acquired Brain Injury

Credits: 1-4

This course provides a "hands-on" interdisciplinary experience. Students will acquire clinical skills and professional competence in a community-based day program. This experience includes assisting adults with acquired brain injury to meet their physical, emotional, cognitive-linguistic, social, spiritual, recreational, and vocational needs.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 741 - Speech-Language Pathology I

Credits: 4

This course provides foundational knowledge related to pediatric speech and language disorders, as well as exposure to principles of assessment and treatment in these populations. Students extend their knowledge of language development in the areas of morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics as well as their knowledge of how the speech mechanism works, to learn about communication breakdowns that may occur during childhood.

Prerequisite(s): KIN 706 with a minimum grade of D- and COMM 636 with a minimum grade of C and KIN 707 with a minimum grade of D-.

Equivalent(s): COMM 631, COMM 731

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 742 - Speech-Language Pathology II

Credits: 4

This course provides the neurologic bases for understanding the communication disorders from birth to geriatrics, with an emphasis on motor, linguistic, and cognitive communication disorders. Introduction to common approaches to treatment for these disorders is also provided.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 504 with a minimum grade of C and COMM 741 with a minimum grade of C.

Equivalent(s): COMM 630

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 744 - Seminar in Advanced Child Language Acquisition

Credits: 3

Young infants and children are in a process of continual learning. This course takes an advanced and interactive approach to understanding child language acquisition, exploring specific aspects of early language development as well as the interaction of different developmental processes. We will delve deeper into how language acquisition interacts with cognitive development, prosodic development and assessment, multilingual and multicultural populations, and populations that are developing along a different path.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 522 with a minimum grade of D-.

Equivalent(s): COMM 844

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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COMM 795 - Independent Study

Credits: 1-8

Individual or group projects involving directed study of an area of communication sciences and disorders that students wish to explore in greater depth than is covered in the required curriculum.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 798 - Special Topics

Credits: 1-4

New or specialized topics not covered in regular course offerings. Special fee on some topics.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

COMM 799 - Honors Thesis

Credits: 1-4

This course is designed to provide undergraduate students with a culminating learning experience in their Senior year. The course focuses on decision making in relation to how bias and noise can lead to errors in decision making, ethical principles in healthcare emphasizing principles of making ethical arguments, and teaching students how to write peer review critiques of articles in CSD. The class will explore how to identify sources of error, how to measure them, and how to reduce them through systematic audits of noise and bias. The class will include case studies and examples from CSD (both audiology and speech-language pathology). Students will engage in reading peer reviewed articles from CSD and ethical decision making. Students are expected to engage in classroom discussion and be involved in formal writing on scholarly topics covered in the course. This information is intended to provide you with advanced knowledge of decision making, ethics, and evidence-based practice in CSD to prepare you for a career as an Audiologist or a Speech-Language Pathologist. It is designed to provide foundational information to prepare students for graduate school or other healthcare related activities. The course format will include lectures, small-group activities, quizzes, and weekly writing assignments. Students completing this course will satisfy the writing intensive within major requirement. The writing assignments will receive feedback and students are required to revise each paper accordingly in order to create a final portfolio that includes an introduction, the original paper and its revision, and a conclusion.

Attributes: Honors course; Writing Intensive Course

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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