Cognitive Science
Overview
Cognitive Science is the science of the mind. Drawing on the fields of mathematics, philosophy, psychology, neurobiology, computer science, and linguistics, Cognitive Science studies the nature of consciousness, the interaction of mind and matter, and the relationship between thought and language. Cognitive Science addresses long-standing questions about the nature of thought, intelligence, perception, emotion, and other aspects of our mental life by employing the methodologies of the contributing disciplines mentioned above, including philosophical reflection and argument, experimental psychology, the modeling of intelligence with machines, and the investigation of the biological basis of cognition.
Major Requirements
A total of at least 48 units to be distributed as follows:
COURSEWORK
Neuroscience
Students must select either
| COGS 104 | Introduction to Neuroscience | 4 units |
| | Or | |
| COGS 320 | Cognitive Neuroscience | 4 units |
Linguistics
Students must select one course from the list below:
Philosophy
Students must select one course from the list below:
Additional Electives
Students must select three additional courses to complete the major.
Electives can be drawn from courses offered through the department, the list above, can be a course cross-listed with cognitive science, or can come from the list below. A total of 4 units can be applied to the major from either directed research or independent study.
All students are encouraged to take a statistics course (e.g. BIO 268, MATH 146, or PSYC 201). Those students intending to do an empirical project for their senior comprehensives or who intend to go on to graduate school in cognitive science or in a related field should discuss course choices with their advisor.
SECOND-STAGE WRITING REQUIREMENT
To pass the second-stage writing requirement students must attain a B- or better in a 300-level fundamental course or 300-level cognitive science class by the end of their junior year.
COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENT
In the senior year the student carries out a project or writes a thesis on a topic in Cognitive Science related to their prior coursework. The project or thesis is coordinated with the work of the Cognitive Science Senior Seminar. All majors take the Senior Seminar in the fall semester of the senior year.
HONORS
Honors in Cognitive Science may be awarded to graduating seniors who demonstrate excellence in their course work and distinction in their senior comprehensive project. To be eligible, students must have a 3.5 grade point average in the major and a 3.25 overall grade point average. In addition, the comprehensive project or thesis must be judged as a "pass with distinction."
Minor Requirements
A total of 24 units, including
COGS 101 and five other courses any of which can come from the list of fundamental courses or have a cognitive science designation. One of these can be a course without a cognitive science designation from the list of electives for the major.
Courses
Cognitive Science Courses
Faculty
Regular Faculty
Andrew Shtulman, chair
Associate Professor, Cognitive Science; Psychology
B.A., Princeton University; Ph.D., Harvard University
Carolyn Brighouse
Professor, Cognitive Science, Philosophy
B.A., University of Liverpool; M.A., Ph.D., University of Southern California
Alan Knoerr
Associate Professor, Mathematics, Cognitive Science
B.A., Oberlin College; Sc.M., Ph.D., Brown University
Carmel Levitan
Associate Professor, Cognitive Science; Advisory Committee, Neuroscience
B.A., Stanford University; Ph.D., UC Berkeley
Justin Li
Assistant Professor, Cognitive Science
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Michael Shelton
Associate Professor, Spanish and French Studies; Cognitive Science; Affiliated Faculty, Linguistics; Affiliated Faculty, Latino/a and Latin American Studies; Advisory Committee, Group Language
B.S., St. Cloud State University; M.A., Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Aleksandra Sherman
Assistant Professor, Cognitive Science; Advisory Committee, Neuroscience
B.A., Rutgers University; Ph.D., Northwestern University
Saul Traiger
Professor, Cognitive Science, Philosophy
B.A., State University of New York, Binghamton; M.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
On Special Appointment
Dylan Sabo
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Philosophy, Cognitive Science
Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Kevin Urstadt
Part-Time Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Cognitive Science
B.A., Rutgers; M.A., Ph.D., U.C. Riverside