Sensory Science: Measuring the Senses

Grow your skills with Coursera Plus for $239/year (usually $399). Save now.

Sensory Science: Measuring the Senses

This course is part of Essentials of Sensory Science Specialization

Instructor: Rebecca Bleibaum

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Essentials of Sensory Science Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

The brain is the most sophisticated sensory interpreter that we know of. Our brain is like a very powerful computer, but no engineered computer exists that can mimic our human sensory capabilities. This course will explore sensory science by examining how the senses are connected to the brain and how the brain makes meaning of the signals it receives. Various types of testing, scales, and measurements are described that allow scientists to quantify senses and the brain’s experience of senses. Through this course, you will learn to employ scientific approaches such as discrimination testing and Thurstonian Modeling to measure the senses.

In this module, we will dive into the senses and the brain and discuss tricks the senses may play. We will then discuss the mind and how information is processed. We’ll finish up this module with the Theory of Sensory Measurement and Psychophysics. There is also an optional podcast conversation with Dr. Martin Kern. Let’s get started.

What's included

7 videos2 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts

7 videos Total 44 minutes

Course Introduction 3 minutes
Module Introduction 1 minute
Tricks: The Senses and the Brain, Part 1 6 minutes
Tricks: The Senses and the Brain, Part 2 13 minutes
The Mind 3 minutes
Basic Unit of Sensory Systems: The Neuron 7 minutes
Theory of Sensory Measurements/Psychophysics 11 minutes

2 readings Total 42 minutes

Course Navigation and Safety Statement 1 minute
(Optional) Podcast: A Conversation with Dr. Martin Kern 41 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 1 Quiz 30 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 50 minutes

Learning Goals 10 minutes
(Optional Forum) Podcast: Dr. Martin Kern 10 minutes
Senses and the Brain 30 minutes

What is happening cognitively when we do scaling? In this module, we will review what scaling is, the purpose, and methods of scaling. We’ll wrap up this module with a discussion on the different types of scales, including ordinal scales, quantitative scales, interval scales, and analysis. Let’s begin.

What's included

5 videos1 assignment

In this module, we will continue our discussion on scales and measurements. We will also discuss methods of scaling and ranking and review other types of scales, such as Hedonic scales, Label Affective Magnitude, Just-About-Right, and other scales of interest. Let's begin.

What's included

5 videos4 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

5 videos Total 30 minutes

Methods of Scaling and Ranking: Ratio Scales 6 minutes
Hedonic Scales: The 9-Point Hedonic Scale 8 minutes
Hedonic Scales: Testing with Children 4 minutes
Labeled Affective Magnitude (LAM) and Just-About-Right (JAR) Scales 7 minutes
Check-All-That-Apply and Other Scales of Interest 7 minutes

4 readings Total 195 minutes

A Labeled Affective Magnitude (LAM) Scale for Assessing Food Like/Disliking 75 minutes
A Food Action Rating Scale for Measuring Food Acceptance 40 minutes
Appropriateness of the Cognitive-Contextual Aspects of Food Acceptance 50 minutes
A Comparison of Sensory Difference Testing Procedures 30 minutes

1 assignment Total 15 minutes

Module 3 Quiz 15 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 15 minutes

Acceptance Testing 15 minutes

Why do some people perform better on tests than others? In this final module, we will end our discussion with an overview of discrimination testing methods. We'll also take a closer look at discrimination tests and response bias - and how to avoid it. We'll move on to Thurstonian Modeling and finish up with an optional podcast conversation with Lori Rothman. Let's begin.

What's included

7 videos3 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts

7 videos Total 42 minutes

Module Introduction 3 minutes
Overview of Discrimination Testing Methods 9 minutes
A Closer Look at Discrimination Tests 8 minutes
Response Bias and How to Avoid It 8 minutes
Why People Perform Better on Some Tests Than Others 6 minutes
Thurstonian Modeling 7 minutes
Course Summary 2 minutes

3 readings Total 101 minutes

(Optional) Podcast: A Conversation with Lori Rothman 56 minutes
Relative Power of Difference Testing Methods in Sensory Evaluation 15 minutes
Quantification of Sensory and Food Quality: The R-Index Analysis 30 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 4 Quiz 30 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 40 minutes

(Optional Forum) Podcast: Lori Rothman 10 minutes
Discrimination Testing 20 minutes
Self-Reflection 10 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Rebecca Bleibaum

University of California, Davis

4 Courses 5,739 learners

Offered by

University of California, Davis

Explore more from Psychology

University of California, Davis
Sensory Science: The Senses
Course
The University of Tokyo
Visual and Auditory Perception: How We See and Hear
Course
University of California, Davis
Sensory Science: Conducting Tests
Course
University of California, Davis
Introduction to Sensory Science
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Learn more

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Explore degrees

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.