Cognitive Science is the study of how intelligent beings (including people, animals, and machines) perceive, act, know, and think. It explores the process and content of thought as observed in individuals, distributed through communities, manifested in the structure and meaning of language, modeled by algorithms, and contemplated by philosophies of mind. Its models are formulated using concepts drawn from many disciplines, including psychology, linguistics, logic, communication sciences/disorders, computer science, anthropology, and philosophy, and they are tested using evidence from psychological experiments, clinical studies, field studies, computer simulations, and neurophysiological observation.
This program is intended to prepare students for graduate training in cognitive science and related disciplines or to work in the information sciences. The distribution requirements ensure that students will acquire a truly interdisciplinary education. The research and formal systems requirements provide basic knowledge concerning the experimental and theoretical foundations of cognitive science. Finally, majors are encouraged to learn about theory building and testing in a variety of natural and physical sciences. One way to achieve this is to fulfill the requirements of the Bachelor of Science degree.
General Requirements
The requirements for the cognitive science major include 40 2000-level or above credits, no more than 21 of which may be taken in any one department. There are several 1000-level courses that are required preparation for the 2000-level and above requirements. These courses should be taken during the first four semesters and may fulfill general education requirements.
A maximum of six 2000-level or above transfer credits may count toward the major with approval of advisor. Students must earn a grade of C- (1.7) or higher in each course that is counted toward the major.
Core Courses (16 credits)
COGS 2201, 3584 and four of the following courses: ANTH 3250; CSE 4705; LING 2010Q; PHIL 3250/W; PSYC 2501; SLHS 4245/W.
Research Courses (six credits)
Statistics (one of the following for at least three credits): PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ; STAT 2215Q, 3025Q (Calculus level).
Research Methods (one of the following for at least three credits): ANTH 3003, 3004 (if elected for three credits); ANTH 3090 (if elected for at least three credits); LING 3110; PSYC 3250/W, 3251/W, 3253, 3450W, 3550W, 3551W, 3552.
Formal Systems Courses (three credits)
- COGS 2500Q;
- CSE 2300W, 2500, 3500a, 3502a, 3802;
- LING 3000Qa, 3310Qa, 3410Qa, 3511Qa;
- MATH 2210Q, 2410Q, 3160, 3210, 3230;
- PHIL 2211Q, 3214.
Advanced Courses (12 credits)
Must include courses from at least three departments. Can include core courses not needed to satisfy the core course requirement.
- ANTH 3200, 3405;
- CSE 3500a, 3502a;
- COGS 2345;
- LING 3000Qa, 3310Qa, 3410Qa, 3511Qa; 3610W;
- PHIL 2208/W, 2210/W, 2212/W, 3241, 3247/W, 3249W, 3256/W;
- PNB 3251;
- PSYC 2200, 2208, 2209, 2400, 2500, 3100/W, 3270, 3440, 3500, 3501, 3502;
- SLHS 2203, 2204, 4123, 4254/W, 4376 .
PSYC 3470 is a variable topics course and may only be counted toward the major with advisors’ approval.
Electives (3-6 credits)
One or two additional courses (from above lists or other related courses from any department), chosen with the approval of the advisors.
a The following courses may be used to fulfill both the Formal Systems and Advanced Courses requirements: CSE 3500, 3502; LING 3000Q, 3310Q, 3410Q, 3511Q. In this event, two electives are required.
Competency and Writing Requirements
The exit requirements for information literacy will be met by satisfaction of the Research Methods Requirement. The exit requirements for writing in the major are met by taking any W course on the Plan of Study.
A minor in Cognitive Science is described in the “Minors” section.