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Requirements
Cognitive Science
The cognitive science major provides a program for the interdisciplinary study of mind, drawing on the content and methodologies of several other disciplines. The major combines the study of cognitive psychology, the philosophy of mind, theories of computation, and various other core and satellite disciplines to enable students to explore important topics such as the nature and structure of mind, the possibility of artificial intelligence, and the relationship between minds and brains or minds and bodies.
Students who choose the cognitive science major or minor experience both the depth and breadth of the field through focused clusters of courses on human nature, computation, and more. Students who study cognitive science will graduate with training in critical thinking, computation, and social science approaches, all of which position them for a wide range of post-graduate options.
Majors
- Six core courses: Cognitive Science 101, 205; Philosophy 110 or 115; Philosophy/Cognitive Science 241; Psychology 100; and Psychology/Cognitive Science 240.
- One unit chosen from the following language-related courses: Anthropology 209/Critical Identity Studies 251, Comparative Literature/Writing 215; Education and Youth Studies 246 (when it is 1 unit), 276 (when the topic is bi-lingual education); Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies 121, 141; Chinese 105; French 105; Japanese 105; Spanish 110; Music 170; or other courses in consultation with advisor.
- One unit chosen from the following computational courses: Computer Science 111, 170 (when relevant, with approval of advisor), 175, 204, 245; Data Science and Data Analytics 210 (.5) and 215 (.5), 345; Engineering 105, 220; Philosophy 100. Other courses possible in consultation with advisor.
- One unit chosen from the following courses offering theories of humanity: Anthropology 100, 120; Critical Identity Studies 201, 285, 315; Health and Society 301; Music 276; Philosophy 200, 205, 234, 240 (when relevant, with approval of advisor), 250, 260, 275; Philosophy/Political Science 280; Psychology 250, 252; Theatre and Dance 300. Other courses possible in consultation with advisor.
One unit chosen from the following courses examining behavior of systems at different levels of description: Anthropology 310; Biology 237, 257, 289, 340; Chemistry 117, 150; Education and Youth Studies 151; Environmental Studies/Sociology 271; Health and Society 140; Philosophy 285; Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy 102; Political Science/Psychology 207; Psychology 210, 215, 225, 230, 235, 260, 265; Sociology 216, 218, 225, 231. Other courses possible in consultation with advisor.
- One of the following options from among statistics offerings: Anthropology 240; Biology 247; Health and Society/Political Science 201; Mathematics 205, 310; both Psychology 161 and 162; Sociology 205 (and 211 recommended but not required). Students intending to pursue graduate study in cognitive science are strongly advised to take the Psychology 161 and 162 sequence. Other courses possible in consultation with advisor.
One capstone course, chosen in consultation with advisor: Cognitive Science 350 (strongly recommended), 380 (honors thesis offered by invitation only), Data Science and Data Analytics 385, Interdisciplinary Studies 310, Philosophy 385 (with permission of instructor and advisor), Psychology 285 (with permission of instructor and advisor. Other courses possible in consultation with advisor.
- Honors in cognitive science: Students with a 3.7 GPA or above in courses in the major and a 3.5 GPA or above overall may apply at the end of the junior year to be considered honors students, who will complete a thesis with an appropriate topic.
Minors
- Two core Cognitive Science units: Cognitive Science 101, 205.
- Two required Computer Science units: Computer Science 111, 204.
- Two elective units for computer science breadth: Computer Science 170 (when relevant, with approval of advisor), 175, 245, 270 (when relevant, with approval of advisor), 315, 347; Data Science and Data Analytics 210 (.5) and 215 (.5), or 345.
- Two core Cognitive Science units: Cognitive Science 101, 205.
- Two required Philosophy units: Philosophy 110 or 115; Philosophy/Cognitive Science 241.
- Two elective units chosen from the following courses for philosophical breadth: Anthropology 209/Critical Identity Studies 251; Philosophy 100, 205, 240 (when relevant, with approval of advisor), 250.
- Two core Cognitive Science units: Cognitive Science 101, 205.
- Two required Psychology units: Psychology 100; Psychology/Cognitive Science 240.
- Two elective units for psychological breadth (2 units):
- One chosen from Anthropology 306, 310; Biology 340, and one chosen from Psychology 210, 215, 230, 235, 260, 265 OR
- Two chosen from Psychology 210, 215, 230, 235, 260, 265.
Additional Information
- A student may double-count no more than two courses with any other major or minor except in consultation with their advisor.
- No student majoring in the area of the concentration may choose that concentration area to minor in. A student may still choose any of the other minor concentration areas. (For example, a student majoring in philosophy may choose to minor in cognitive science with a philosophy concentration, but this student may minor in cognitive science with a psychology or computer science concentration.)