The module explores how exciting ideas and findings at the forefront of biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology have transformed our understanding of how we experience the world through our senses. It provides an understanding of:
The material is divided into six blocks, presented in three printed books, beginning with two blocks introducing the senses and the nervous system. These blocks are designed to give you sufficient neuroscience background knowledge to work through the remainder of the module and include online activities to maximise your understanding of this essential information. Blocks 3-6 also include online activities and additional resources that can be accessed online.
Throughout the module, the emphasis is on the commonalities and integration between the sensory systems. You examine the processes from sensation to perception for each sense and the impact and treatment of impairment or loss of sensory systems.
Block 1: Introduction to the senses
This block introduces you to the human senses, concentrating on observations and experiences that raise questions about how the senses work.
Block 2: Introduction to the nervous system
In this introduction to neuroscience, particularly the neuron, you’ll look at how electrical impulses created by external signals of whatever kind are transmitted throughout the nervous system, and where they are processed and give rise to our picture of the world. You’ll also explore the techniques commonly used to investigate the senses.
Block 3: Somatosensation
This block describes the somatic sensory system, including how we sense and perceive touch, pain, body position and movement. The latter is often considered a hidden sense, and in this block, you will explore the impact of its loss. You will also cover the multidisciplinary treatment of pain.
Block 4: Hearing and balance
In this block, you’ll explore the nature and properties of sound waves; the specialised anatomy and functioning of the ear; and how auditory perception arises, including for speech and music. This block also focuses on the vestibular system, which is housed within the ear, and how this system gives rise to our sense of balance.
Block 5: Vision
This block is exclusively dedicated to how we sense and perceive visual information. It is the longest block, partly because the most is known about vision and because vision is, in many ways, the most complex of the senses. In this block, you’ll cover the nature and properties of light, the optical system of the eye, the processing of visual information within the brain, and how we perceive different elements of the visual scene, such as colour.
Block 6: The chemical senses
This block focuses on the related senses of smell and taste, as well as the sense of flavour. Topics covered include the molecular characteristics of substances that we smell or taste, the nature of the receptors involved, the coding of smell and taste, and how smell may be used in diagnostics.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
We also provide physical:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
SD329 is a compulsory module in our:
SD329 is an option module in our:
Signals and perception: the science of the senses (SD329) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2027.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
| Start | End | Register by | England fee |
|---|
| No current presentation |
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Joint loan applications
If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.
As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
