Overview
Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of the mind, brain, and intelligent systems, drawing predominantly on research from psychology, philosophy, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, and anthropology. The interdisciplinary character of cognitive science is reflected in its reliance on many levels of analysis and its employment of a variety of methodologies appropriate to each level. The goal of cognitive science is to integrate the insights from multiple disciplines and modes of research into a unified scientific account of minds – be they human or non-human, natural or artificial – and their place in nature and society.
Research in cognitive science includes, but is not limited to, work on perception, learning, reasoning, concepts, language, development, memory, consciousness, and decision making, all through an interdisciplinary lens. For instance, drawing upon psychology, philosophy, computer science, and neuroscience, one ambition of cognitive science is to understand just how mental computations are realized in the brain, and how such neural realizations can ground the conscious, deliberate activity of thought and decision making. Another interdisciplinary ambition is to investigate just how far mental processes of reasoning and language can be duplicated in complex computational structures that could be instantiated in machines. These are two examples among many – the field of cognitive science is dynamic and expanding, making it an ideal home for inquisitive minds that want to understand themselves and the other cognitive systems around them, be they human, non-human animal, or machine.
Learning Goals
Students who complete the program are expected to achieve the following learning goals: developing an ability to recognize and apply cognitive science concepts and methodologies across diverse kinds of minds and across levels of analysis; developing an ability to evaluate evidence and arguments regarding claims about diverse kinds of minds, including minds in social, cultural, and technological context.
Admission to the Program
For admission to the program, students should submit a plan of study, by email, to the Cognitive Science program manager. The plan of study form is found on the program website. Any exceptions to approved courses or requirements require consultation with the faculty director.
Students may enroll starting in the spring of their sophomore year, following the official declaration of their major, and no later than the end of their junior year.
For admission to the minor program, it is required to have the major declared beforehand.
Program of Study
Students are required to take five courses in cognitive science, which in combination satisfy the following requirements:
- At least one course designated with an asterisk in the list below, indicating that it is a CogSci Minor Required Course (CMRC);
- Three courses at the 300-level or higher;
- Courses taken in at least three different academic units (please note that this restriction applies only to a course's primary course listing, not to additional cross- listings);
- At most, one course with a primary course listing from the student's department of concentration, unless permission is obtained from the faculty director;
- At most, two courses counted towards the minor that are also counted towards the major.
Prerequisites
Normally, students have completed at least one Cognitive Science course prior to enrolling in the minor, and they are encouraged to speak with the faculty director in applying to and pursuing the minor. However, these are not formal prerequisites for enrollment.
Additional Information
The minimum grade for any course counted toward the minor program is C-. No option to p/d/f courses.
Minor Requirements and Courses
The following core courses will count towards the program requirements (listed by primary designation; asterisks indicate CogSci Minor Required Courses). Other cognitive science related courses, including graduate courses, may be counted toward minor completion with the approval of the program director. The student should email the program manager the Registrar’s course description link and include a couple of descriptive sentences about how / why the course relates to cognitive science.
CogSci Minor Required Course (CMRC):
PHI 207 Introduction to Philosophy of Cognitive Science (also CGS 207)
PHI 322 Philosophy of the Cognitive Sciences (also CGS 322)
PSY 254 Developmental Psychology (also CGS 254)
PSY 255 Cognitive Psychology (also CGS 255)
PSY 306 Memory and Cognition (also NEU 306)
PSY 309 Psychology of Language (also LIN 309)
PSY 315 Cognitive Science of Human Values
PSY 333 Unlocking the Science of Human Nature (also CHV 300)
PSY 360 Computational Models of Cognition (also COS 360)
PSY 454 Probabilistic Model of Cognition
MUS 248 Music Cognition (also PSY 248)
Courses (Listed by primary designation)
Computer Science
COS 126 Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach (also EGR 126)
COS 324 Introduction to Machine Learning
COS 402 Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
COS 424 Fundamentals of Machine Learning (also SML 302)
COS 429 Computer Vision
COS 436 Human Computer Interaction
COS 484 Natural Language Processing
COS 495 Special Topics in Computer Science - Neural Networks: Theory and Applications
Linguistics
LIN 201 Introduction to Language and Linguistics (also ENG 241/CGS 205)
LIN 205 Beginning American Sign Language (also TRA 205)
LIN 219 Writing Systems and Orthographic Processing
LIN 250 Language in Its Contexts
LIN 301 Phonetics and Phonology
LIN 302 Syntax
LIN 303 Linguistic Semantics
LIN 306 The Structure and Meaning of Words
LIN 308 Bilingualism (also TRA 303)
LIN 310 Melodies of English (and Other Languages)
LIN 355 Field Methods in Linguistics
LIN 360 Linguistic Universals and Language Diversity
LIN 406 Advanced Morphology
LIN 412 Advanced Syntax
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
MAE 345 Robotics and Intelligent Systems
ENE 475 Human Factors 2.0-Psychology for Engineering, Energy, and Environmental Decisions (also PSY 475)
ECE 364 Machine Learning for Predictive Data Analysis
Neuroscience
NEU 175 Introduction to Neuroscience
NEU 200 Functional Neuroanatomy (also PSY 200)
NEU 201 Fundamentals of Neuroscience (also PSY 258; cannot be counted in addition to NEU 175)
NEU 202 Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience (also PSY 259)
NEU 202B Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience (also PSY 259B)
NEU 330 Introduction to Connectionist Models: Bridging between Brain and Mind (also PSY 330)
NEU 437 Computational Neuroscience (also MOL 437/PSY 437)
Philosophy
*PHI 207 Introduction to Philosophy of Cognitive Science (also CGS 207)
PHI 218 Learning Theory and Epistemology (also ELE 218)
PHI 305 Consciousness, the Mind-Body Problem, and the Self
PHI 311 Personal Identity
PHI 313 Theory of Knowledge
PHI 315 Philosophy of Mind (also CHV 315/CGS 315)
PHI 317 Philosophy of Language
PHI 321 Philosophy of Science
*PHI 322 Philosophy of the Cognitive Sciences (also CGS 322)
PHI 352 Philosophy of Bias: Psychology, Epistemology and Ethics of Stereotypes (also CGS 352)
PHI 380 Explaining Values (also CHV 380)
Psychology
*PSY 254 Developmental Psychology (also CGS 254)
*PSY 255 Cognitive Psychology (also CGS 255)
PSY 304 Social Cognition: The Psychology of Interactive Minds (also CGS 304)
*PSY 306 Memory and Cognition (also NEU 306)
PSY 307 Educational Psychology (also TPP 307)
*PSY 309 Psychology of Language (also LIN 309)
*PSY 315 Cognitive Science of Human Values
PSY 316 Cognitive Neuroscience of Selective Attention
*PSY 333 Unlocking the Science of Human Nature (also CHV 300)
PSY 337 Deep Learning as a Cognitive Model for Social Neuroscience (also NEU 337)
PSY 338 Animal Learning and Decision Making (also NEU 338)
PSY 340 Neuroeconomics (also NEU 340)
PSY 345 Sensation and Perception (also NEU 325)
*PSY 360 Computational Models of Cognition (also COS 360)
PSY 400 Topics in Social and Personality Psychology - Developmental Origins of Life Outcomes
PSY 409 Cyborg Psychology
*PSY 454 Probabilistic Model of Cognition
School of Public and International Affairs
SPI 305 Behavioral Economics
SPI 340 The Psychology of Decision Making and Judgment (also PSY 321) and SPI 342 Psychology for Policy: Design, Leadership, and Communication (also PSY 343) are equivalent courses. These cannot be taken multiple times for credit. Only one may be taken for credit.
SPI 404 Psychology of Poverty/Policy Research
ECO 468 Behavioral Finance
Additional Departments and Programs
*MUS 248 Music Cognition (also PSY 248)
HUM 230 Music and Language (also CGS 230 / PSY 209 / MUS 229)
TRA 301 Introduction to Machine Translation (also COS 401/LIN 304)
HIS 494 Broken Brains, Shattered Minds
SML 354 Artificial Intelligence: A Hands-on Introduction from Basics to ChatGPT (also PHI 354)