- Level Foundation
- Duration 13 hours
- Course by University of California, Davis
-
Offered by
About
Humans are amazing sensors! This course will help you understand our sensing capabilities including taste, olfaction, tactile senses, vision, and audition. The course will explain at a high-level the anatomy, physiology, and chemistry of the senses and give you an appreciation of how senses are transmitted to, and experienced by, the brain. You’ll learn by experience to assess cases such as dysfunctions in olfaction or tactile temperature adaptation. Optional podcast conversations with experts in the field are included each week to provide additional insight on our senses and sensory research.Modules
Getting Started
1
Discussions
- Learning Goals
1
Videos
- Course Introduction
1
Readings
- A Note from UC Davis
Taste, Part 1
1
Discussions
- Taste Adaptation Activity Results
6
Videos
- Module Introduction
- Taste - One of the Chemical Senses
- Taste Anatomy: Taste Buds
- Taste Nerve System
- Taste Transduction
- Taste Adaptation
1
Readings
- Taste Adaptation Activity
Taste, Part 2
4
Videos
- Mixture Effects, Inhibition and Synergy
- Trigeminal Chemical Sensitivity
- Taste Sensitivity
- Basic Taste
Additional Activities (Optional)
1
Discussions
- Selected Sensory Demonstration Activities Results
1
Readings
- Selected Sensory Demonstration Activities (Optional)
Additional Resources
1
Discussions
- (Optional Forum) Podcast: Joel Sidel
4
Readings
- (Optional) Podcast: A Conversation with Joel Sidel
- Receptors and Transduction in Taste
- Two Decades of Supertasting: Where do we Stand?
- The Human Preference for Excess Salt
Review
1
Assignment
- Module 1 Quiz
Olfaction and Tactile, Part 1
6
Videos
- Module Introduction
- Smell: The Chemical Nature of Odorous Stimuli
- Olfactory System Anatomy
- Smell Transduction
- Perception of Smell
- Classification of Odors
Additional Resources
2
Readings
- A Novel Mutigene Family May Encode Odorant Receptors: A Molecular Basis for Odor Recognition
- Combinatorial Receptor Codes for Odors
Review
1
Assignment
- Module 2 Quiz
Olfaction and Tactile, Part 2
1
Discussions
- Temperature Adaptation Activity Results
4
Videos
- Stereochemical Theory: Lock and key
- Adaptation
- Orthonasal and Retronasal Olfaction
- Tactile Sensations, Cutaneous Perception
1
Readings
- Temperature Adaptation Activity
Additional Resources
1
Discussions
- (Optional Forum) Podcast: Dr. Ann Noble
3
Readings
- (Optional) Podcast: A Conversation Dr. Ann Noble
- Predicting the Handle and Comfort of Military Clothing Fabrics from Sensory and Instrumental Data
- Odorant Shape and Vibration Likely Lead to Olfaction Satisfaction
Review
1
Assignment
- Module 3 Quiz
Visual
7
Videos
- Module Introduction
- The Anatomy of the Eye
- The Receptors
- Visual Areas of the Brain
- Optical Illusions
- Depth Perception
- Color Perception
Audition
2
Videos
- Hearing: Audition
- Hearing Transduction and Adaptation
Additional Resources
1
Discussions
- (Optional Forum) Podcast: Dr. Armand Cardello
3
Readings
- (Optional) Podcast: A Conversation with Dr. Armand Cardello
- Chemesthesis: Pungency as a Component of Flavor
- Sound Perception and Food Quality
Review
1
Assignment
- Module 4 Quiz
1
Discussions
- Influences on Sensory Evaluation Studies
Course Summary
1
Discussions
- Self-Reflection
1
Videos
- Course Summary
Auto Summary
Explore the fascinating world of human senses with "Sensory Science: The Senses" on Coursera. This foundational course, led by experts, delves into the anatomy, physiology, and chemistry behind our sensory experiences. Over 780 minutes, you'll gain insights into taste, olfaction, touch, vision, and hearing, and assess cases like olfactory dysfunctions. Ideal for personal development, the course includes optional podcasts with sensory research experts. Available with a Starter subscription, it's perfect for anyone eager to understand how our senses work.

Rebecca Bleibaum