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.

Requirements

Major

To major in Cognitive Science, students take total of at least 48 units. Along with six required courses, students select at least one course each from the approved list of courses in Computation, Linguistics and Philosophy. Electives can be any course with a COGS designation, can be drawn from the approved lists of courses in Computation, Linguistics and Philosophy, or selected from the additional electives list.

Required Courses

Computation

Students must select one course from the list below:

Linguistics

Students must select one course from the list below:

Philosophy

Students must select one course from the list below:

Additional Electives

Electives can be any course with a COGS designation, can be drawn from the approved lists of courses in Computation, 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.

Honors in the Major

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

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. 

Second-Stage Writing Proficiency

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.

Advising Information

Students interested in the Cognitive Science major are encouraged to take COGS 101 during the first year and COGS 201 (Empirical Methods in Cognitive Science) during sophomore year. All interested students should meet with a Cognitive Science faculty member early on to discuss opportunities for research, study abroad, and more. If you wish to be invited to our events (such as seminars, social events, and open advising sessions), please contact the department chair.

Placement Information

No placement exams are specifically required for the Cognitive Science major.

Sample 4-Year Plan

Curricular Notes

Our major is flexible and has multiple introductory courses with no prerequisites, including:

• COGS 101: Introduction to Cognitive Science
• COGS 104: Introduction to Neuroscience
• COGS 111: The Origins of Knowledge
• COGS 220: Animal Cognition
• COGS 230: Mind, Brain, and Behavior

All of these courses count towards the major. 

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

Appointed Faculty

Aleksandra Sherman, chair

Associate Professor 

B.A., Rutgers University; Ph.D., Northwestern University

Carolyn Brighouse

Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs

Professor

B.A., University of Liverpool; M.A., Ph.D., University of Southern California

Carmel Levitan

Professor 

B.A., Stanford University; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley

Justin Li

Associate Professor

B.S., Northwestern University; Ph.D., University of Michigan

Stephanie Nelli
Assistant Professor
B.A., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego 

On Special Appointment

Tatiana Basanez

Visiting Assistant Professor

B.A., Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México; M.A., California State University, Los Angeles; Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University

Dylan Sabo

Resident Associate Professor

Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Kevin Urstadt

Visiting Assistant Professor

B.A., Rutgers; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Riverside

Other faculty associated with the Cognitive Studies department can be viewed here.