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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
- Five core courses: Cognitive Science 101, Philosophy 110 or 115, Psychology 100, Psychology/Cognitive Science 240, and Philosophy/Cognitive Science 241.
- One of the following courses in interdisciplinary breadth: Cognitive Science 220, 260, 280.
- One unit from the following language-related courses: Anthropology 209/Critical Identity Studies 251, Education and Youth Studies 246, Interdisciplinary Studies 242, or 1 unit of any foreign language at the 200-level or above.
- One unit from the following computational courses: Cognitive Science 280 (cannot also fulfill the interdisciplinary breadth requirement), Computer Science 111, 170 (when relevant, with approval of advisor), 175 or 204, or Philosophy 100. Other courses possible in consultation with advisor.
- One unit from the following courses offering theories of humanity: Anthropology 100 or 120, Interdisciplinary Studies 380, Philosophy 205, 238, or 240 (when relevant, with approval of advisor), Psychology 250, or Sociology 265. Other courses possible in consultation with advisor.
- One unit from the following courses about behavior: Anthropology 260, Biology 237 or 340, Education and Youth Studies 151, Psychology 230, 235, or 265. Other courses possible in consultation with advisor.
- One of the following options from among statistics offerings: Biology 247, Mathematics 106, 205 or 310, both Psychology 161 and 162 (recommended). 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: Philosophy 385, Interdisciplinary Studies 310, or Cognitive Science 380 (honors thesis offered by invitation only). 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 to be considered honors students, who will complete a thesis with an appropriate topic.
Minors
- Three core courses: Cognitive Science 101, Computer Science 111 and 204.
- One of the following interdisciplinary courses: Cognitive Science 220, 260, 280.
- Any 2 units of the following breadth courses: Computer Science 170 (when relevant, with approval of advisor), 175, 245, 270 (when relevant, with approval of advisor), 315, or 347.
- Three core courses: Cognitive Science 101, Philosophy 110 or 115, Philosophy/Cognitive Science 241.
- One of the following interdisciplinary courses: Cognitive Science 220, 260, 280.
- For philosophical breadth (2 units):
- One chosen from Anthropology 209/Critical Identity Studies 251 or Interdisciplinary Studies 242 and one chosen from Philosophy 100, 205, 238, or 240 (when relevant, with approval of advisor) OR
- Two chosen from Philosophy 100, 205, 238, or 240 (when relevant, with approval of advisor).
- Three core courses: Cognitive Science 101, Psychology 100 and Psychology/Cognitive Science 240.
- One of the following interdisciplinary courses: Cognitive Science 220, 260, 280.
- For psychological breadth (2 units):
- One chosen from Anthropology 260 or Biology 340, and one chosen from Psychology 230, 235, or 265 OR
- Two chosen from Psychology 230, 235, or 265.
Additional Information
- A student may double-count no more than two courses with any other major or minor.
- 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, no student majoring in philosophy may choose to minor in cognitive science with a philosophy concentration, but a student may minor in cognitive science with a psychology or computer science concentration.)