Cognitive Science
Overview
Cognitive Science is the science of the mind. Drawing on the fields of philosophy, psychology, neurobiology, mathematics, 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, memory, 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
To major in Cognitive Science, students take total of at least 48 units. Along with seven required courses, students select at least one course each from the approved list of courses in Linguistics and Philosophy. Electives can be any course with a COGS designation, can be drawn from the approved lists of courses in Linguistics and Philosophy, or selected from the additional electives list.
COURSEWORK
Students are encouraged to take COGS 201 as early as possible, as preparation for other courses in the major and as a framework to fulfill the second-stage writing requirement.
REQUIRED COURSES
Linguistics
Students must select one course from the list below:
Philosophy
Students must select one course from the list below:
| COGS 308 | Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Cognitive Science | 4 units |
| PHIL 242 | Minds, Agents, and Persons | 4 units |
| PHIL 243 | Representation and Reality | 4 units |
| PHIL 340 | Evidence, Reasoning, Science, and Truth | 4 units |
| PHIL 342 | Theory of Knowledge | 4 units |
| PHIL 344 | Language, Translation, and Meaning | 4 units |
| PHIL 345 | Consciousness and Cognition | 4 units |
| PHIL 311 | Wittgenstein | 4 units |
Additional Electives
Electives can be any course with a COGS designation, can be drawn from the approved lists of courses in Linguistics and Philosophy, or can be selected from the additional electives list. A maximum of 4 units can be applied to the major from COGS 390, COGS 395, and COGS 495. All students are also encouraged to take statistics and computer science coursework.
Students may also apply PHIL 395 as an elective in Cognitive Science if they have enrolled in the "Science and Social Values" section of the course.
Second-Stage Writing Requirement
Students will normally fulfill the second-stage writing requirement by passing both the Research Proposal and Scientific Research Paper assignments in COGS 201: Empirical Methods in Cognitive Science with a grade of C or better. Students who do not successfully complete both assignments with a grade of C or better will be required to submit a writing portfolio to the Department Chair no later than the midterm of the following semester. This portfolio will be prepared in consultation with the COGS 201 instructor.
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. 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 taking a statistics course and gaining research experience prior to their senior year with their adviser.
College 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. Students must take COGS 101, and 20 additional units of courses any of which can come from the list of required courses, the approved lists of courses in Linguistics and Philosophy, or have a COGS designation. One of these can be a course selected from the additional electives list. A maximum of 4 units of research may be applied to the minor.
Transfer Credit Policies
The Cognitive Science Department may accept online courses for major, minor, and general elective credit. Students should reference the Transfer Credit section for more details.
Courses
Cognitive Science Courses
Faculty
Regular Faculty
Aleksandra Sherman, chair
Associate Professor
B.A., Rutgers University; Ph.D., Northwestern University
Carolyn Brighouse
Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs
Professor, Cognitive Science, Philosophy
B.A., University of Liverpool; M.A., Ph.D., University of Southern California
Carmel Levitan
Associate Professor
B.A., Stanford University; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Justin Li
Assistant Professor, Cognitive Science, Computer Science
B.S., Northwestern University; Ph.D., University of Michigan
Michael Shelton
Associate Professor, Spanish and French Studies; Cognitive Science
B.S., St. Cloud State University; M.A., Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Andrew Shtulman
Professor, Cognitive Science, Psychology
B.A., Princeton University; Ph.D., Harvard 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
Non-Tenure Track Associate Professor, Philosophy, Cognitive Science
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kevin Urstadt
Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor
B.A., Rutgers; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Riverside