Cognitive Science Major

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. Advanced courses from at least four different departments are required. 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 39 200-level credits, no more than 21 of which may be taken in any one department. There are several 100-level courses that are required preparation for the 200-level requirements. These courses should be taken during the first four semesters and may fulfill general education requirements.

There are several 100 level courses that are required preparation for the 200 level requirements. For example, Psych 132 and 133 are required for the Psychology courses; CSE 110C and 111 are required for the CSE courses, and Phil 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, or 106 is required for the philosophy courses. These courses should be taken during the first four semesters and may fulfill general education requirements. The catalog copy of these requirements is here .

Core Courses (15 credits): COGS 201 and four of the following: ANTH 244; CSE 282 ; LING 202; PHIL 250; PSYC 256

Research Courses (6 credits)

Statistics (one of the following for at least 3 credits): PSYC 202Q; STAT 201Q, 220Q (Calculus level)

Research Methods (one of the following for at least 3 credits): ANTH 268 (if elected for 3 credits); LING 215; PSYC 210W, 211W, 215, 232W, 267/W

Formal Systems Courses (3 credits)

CSE 237* **, 254 , 257 , 259** LING** , 206** MATH 211Q, 215, 216, 227Q, 231, 237* **, 279; PHIL 211Q, 214

Advanced courses (12 credits)

Must include courses from at least 3 departments. Can include core courses not needed to satisfy the core course requirement.

ANTH 232 ; CDIS 202/202W*, 244/244W, 253; CSE 237* **, 259**,  298; LING 205Q **; 206Q **, 244W; MATH 237 * **;

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. 

* Due to content overlap, no more than one of each of the following pairs may be counted toward the major: (i) CDIS 202/202W and PSYC 239; (ii) PHIL 212/212W and SCI 240; (iii) CSE 237 and MATH 237.

**The following courses may be used to fulfill both the Formal Systems and Advanced Courses requirements: CSE 237, 259; LING 205, 206; and MATH 237. In this event, two electives are required.

Competency and Writing Requirements

The exit requirements for computer technology and information literacy will be met by satisfaction of the Research Methods Requirement. The exit requirements for writing in the major can be met by taking one of the following courses: CDIS 202W, 244W; LING 244W; PHIL 212W, 247W, 249W, 256W; PSYC 202WQ,  210W, 232W,  267W,  291W.

Students in the program will have an advisor and an associate advisor, each in different departments contributing to the cognitive science program. Students will consult with both of them to plan a course of study.

For further information, contact Professor Letty Naigles, Director of Undergraduate Studies in Cognitive Science, 141 Bousfield Psychology Building.