Cognitive Sciences, B.S.
The B.S. in Cognitive Sciences exposes students to the theoretical foundations and experimental and computational methods of cognitive science and neuroscience research. Coursework is highly interdisciplinary incorporating (a) Cognitive Psychology, (b) Cognitive Neuroscience, (c) Mathematics, (d) Statistics, (e) Computer Science, and (f) Natural Sciences.
NOTE: Students may complete the B.S. in Psychology or the B.S. in Cognitive Sciences. You may not double major within the majors offered by the department.
All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Departmental Requirements for the Major
| A. Required Major Courses | |
| Complete the following: | |
| COGS 9A- 9B- 9C | Psychology Fundamentals and Psychology Fundamentals and Psychology Fundamentals |
| COGS 10A- 10B- 10C | Exploratory Data Analysis and Probability and Inference and Statistical Models |
| COGS 14P | Scientific Python for Research |
| or I&C SCI 31 | Introduction to Programming |
| MATH 2A- 2B | Single-Variable Calculus I and Single-Variable Calculus II |
| COGS 109 | Cognitive Sciences Research Seminar |
| B. Cognitive Sciences Core | |
| Select three from the following: | |
| Introduction to Statistical Learning | |
| Computational Lab Skills | |
| Cognitive Modeling | |
| Neural Analytics | |
| Select three upper-division core courses from the following: | |
| Perception and Sensory Processes | |
| Neuroscience of Perception | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | |
| Learning and Decision Making | |
| Human Memory | |
| Psychology of Language | |
| Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| Brain Disorders and Behavior | |
| C. Research Methods | |
| Select three from the following: | |
| Experimental Psychology and Experimental Psychology Laboratory | |
| Advanced Experimental Psychology and Advanced Experimental Psychology Laboratory | |
| Research in Experimental Psychology and Research in Experimental Psychology | |
| Research Methods in Psychology and Research Methods in Psychology Laboratory | |
| Introduction to fMRI Research and fMRI Research Laboratory | |
| Research in Perception and Psychophysics and Research in Perception and Psychophysics Laboratory | |
| Cognitive Robotics and Cognitive Robotics Laboratory | |
| D. Background in Science | |
| Select six from the following: | |
| The Brain and Behavior | |
| Drugs and the Brain | |
| Brain Dysfunction and Repair | |
| Mind and Memory | |
| MATLAB Programming | |
| Scientific Python for Research 1 | |
| Neurobiology of Cognition | |
| Special Topics in Lower-Division Cognitive Sciences | |
| Special Topics in Upper-Division Cognitive Sciences | |
| Introduction to Programming 1 | |
| Programming with Software Libraries | |
| Intermediate Programming | |
| Introduction to Linguistics | |
| Introduction to Phonology | |
| Introduction to Syntax | |
| Acquisition of Language | |
| Introduction to Symbolic Logic | |
| Introduction to Inductive Logic | |
| Multivariable Calculus I | |
| Multivariable Calculus II | |
| Introduction to Linear Algebra | |
| Elementary Differential Equations | |
| Basic Physics I and Basic Physics II and Basic Physics III | |
| or | |
| Classical Physics and Classical Physics and Classical Physics | |
| with labs PHYSICS 7LC and PHYSICS 7LD | |
| Physics of Music | |
| Basic Statistics | |
| Statistical Methods for Data Analysis I | |
| Statistical Methods for Data Analysis II | |
| Statistical Methods for Data Analysis III | |
| NOTE: Careful selection should be made in order to satisfy general education requirements and prerequisites for upper-division courses. | |
| E. Upper-Division Core Electives | |
| Select seven courses from the following list. Up to three courses may also be taken from section B and C: 2 | |
| Abnormal Psychology | |
| Developmental Psychology | |
| History of Psychology | |
| Personality Theories | |
| Vision | |
| Hearing | |
| Language and the Brain | |
| Hearing and the Brain | |
| Human Neuropsychology | |
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | |
| Machine Learning and Data-Mining | |
| Introduction to Computational Biology | |
| Formal Languages and Automata | |
| Intermediate Syntax | |
- 1
If not used to satisfy Introductory Programming Requirement.
- 2
If accepted into the Honors Program, COGS H101A-COGS H101B-COGS H101C may be used for three of the seven elective courses under section E.
Sample Program - Freshman with no AP Credits
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| COGS 9A | COGS 9B | COGS 9C |
| MATH 2A | MATH 2B | Elective |
| Science | Science | Science |
| General Education | General Education | General Education |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| COGS 10A | COGS 10B | COGS 10C |
| COGS 14P | UD Core | COGS 109 |
| Science | Science | Science |
| General Education | General Education | General Education |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| UD Core | UD Core | UD Elective |
| Research Methods | Research Methods | Research Methods |
| Research Methods Lab | Research Methods Lab | Research Methods Lab |
| COGS 108 | COGS 108 | COGS 107 |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| UD Elective | UD Elective | UD Elective |
| UD Elective | UD Elective | UD Elective |
| Elective | Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective | Elective |
Sample Program - Transfer Student with General Education, MATH 2A-MATH 2B, and three lower-division science courses completed
| Junior | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| COGS 10A | COGS 10B | COGS 10C |
| COGS 14P | UD Elective | COGS 109 |
| Science | Science | Science |
| UD Core | UD Core | UD Core |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| COGS 108 | COGS 106 | COGS 107 |
| Research Methods | Research Methods | Research Methods |
| Research Methods Lab | Research Methods Lab | Research Methods Lab |
| UD Elective | UD Elective | UD Elective |
| UD Elective | UD Elective | UD Elective |
Honors Program in Cognitive Sciences and Psychology
The Honors Program in Cognitive Sciences and Psychology is an advanced educational and research program for outstanding undergraduate students in these majors.
The program emphasizes advanced competence in scientific research and allows participants the opportunity to pursue advanced work in independent research, in addition to earning honors upon graduation. The program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing graduate study or seeking challenging research experiences as a capstone to their undergraduate experience. All Cognitive Sciences and Psychology majors who meet the minimum eligibility requirements are welcome to apply.
To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria: 1) be a cognitive sciences or psychology major, 2) have completed the psych fundamental series, 3) be in junior standing (at minimum), and 4) have a 3.2 minimum GPA within the major.
The application consists of the following: 1) completed application form, 2) an analytical writing sample, 3) a one-page research plan, and 4) a letter of recommendation from a faculty member who has agreed to oversee the proposed research project. The call for applications is sent out in spring quarter for admittance in the subsequent fall quarter.
Students who participate in the program are expected to enroll in the Honor Seminar series (COGS H101A-COGS H101B-COGS H101C) in fall, winter, and spring, respectively. Honors students must successfully complete a senior honors thesis and present their research at the department’s honors poster symposium held in spring as part of the required course work in COGS H101C
The honors seminar series may be used to satisfy three of the courses required under the Electives Requirement (Requirement E) for both majors.