Visual Perception and the Brain

Learners will be introduced to the problems that vision faces, using perception as a guide. The course will consider how what we see is generated by the visual system, what the central problem for vision is, and what visual perception indicates about how the brain works. The evidence will be drawn from neuroscience, psychology, the history of vision science and what philosophy has contributed. Although the discussions will be informed by visual system anatomy and physiology, the focus is on perception. We see the physical world in a strange way, and goal is to understand why

• Understand key challenges faced by the visual system in perception
• Explain how images are generated and perceived by the brain
• Identify scientific evidence from neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy related to vision

• Basic computer and internet skills
• Ability to read English instructions and complete short activities