The Visual System OpenCourseWare: A Free Graduate Study Course on Primate Visual Systems by MIT

Published Jan 27, 2009

RSS Feed

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) free OpenCourseWare science class 'The Visual System' covers what analysis of the brain tells us about people process of visual information. Students should have extensive previous coursework in cognitive science before taking this graduate course.

The Visual System: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Graduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
No Yes No

The Visual System: Course Description

The Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT in Cambridge, MA, offers OpenCourseWare for students interested in using brain imaging to interpret human visual information. The course begins by covering the exact functions and organization of different areas of the brain. Students look at the exact usage of the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes. The course then turns to how these different parts of the brain interpret visual information. For example, students learn what parts of the cognitive system interpret color, adapt visual interpretations to eye movements, detect motion and perceive depth. At the end of the course, students briefly consider the role of the brain in illusions and in restoring vision with retinal implants and visual prosthetics. Course readings consist mostly of scientific journal articles. Cognitive science professor Dr. Peter Schiller teaches this course.

This OpenCourseWare includes a syllabus and required reading list. Those interested in this free course should visit The Visual System course page.

Featured School Choices:

  • Grand Canyon University

    Grand Canyon University responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
    • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
    • MA in Curriculum and Instruction
    • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
    • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
    More information about Grand Canyon University
  • Purdue Global

    Purdue Global responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • Master of Science in Health Education
    • MSPY - Forensic Psychology
    • MS in Psychology
    • Master of Business Administration
    • M.S. in Psychology - General Psychology
    More information about Purdue Global
  • Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • Masters in Psychology
    • Masters in Dispute Resolution
    • Masters in Legal Studies
    • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Fordham University

    Fordham University responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
    • Masters in Social Work
    More information about Fordham University
  • Full Sail University

    Full Sail University responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • Master of Science - Film Production
    • MS - Entertainment Business (Campus)
    • Game Design Masters - Campus
    • Entertainment Business Masters - Campus
    • Computer Science Masters - Online
    More information about Full Sail University
  • Liberty University

    Liberty University responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • DME: Doctor of Music Education
    • LLM: International Legal Studies
    • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction
    • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Elementary Education
    • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Middle Grades Education
    More information about Liberty University