Cognitive Science

[ graduate program | courses | faculty ]

140 Cognitive Science Building
http://www.cogsci.ucsd.edu

All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice.

Introduction

Cognitive science is a diverse field that is unified and motivated by a single basic inquiry: What is cognition? How do people, animals, or computers “think,” act, and learn? In order to understand the mind/brain, cognitive science brings together methods and discoveries from neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and computer science. UC San Diego has been at the forefront of this exciting field and the Department of Cognitive Science was the first of its kind in the world. It is part of an exceptional scientific community and remains a dominant influence in the field it helped create.

In addition to preparing undergraduates for careers in a variety of sciences, the major also provides an excellent background for many professional fields, including medicine, clinical psychology, and information technology.

The concerns of cognitive science fall into three broad categories: the brain—the neurological anatomy and processes underlying cognitive phenomena; behavior—the cognitive activity of individuals and their interaction with each other and their sociocultural environment, including the use of language, information, and media; and computation—the capacity of mathematical and computer systems to model cognitive and neural phenomena and represent information, and the role of computers as cognitive tools.

The department collaborates closely with other academic departments and research communities, including the Center for Research in Language, the Center for Human Development, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, the UC San Diego Medical Center, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, the Center for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, and the new Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, providing many outstanding resources and opportunities.

Students are encouraged to participate actively in the department by sharing their ideas about curriculum, research, and other topics with faculty and staff. Undergraduate students should join the Cognitive Science Student Association, which provides opportunities for undergraduates to meet students and faculty from UC San Diego and other institutes, visit research laboratories, and make job contacts. Graduate students take an especially active role in shaping the department, both academically and administratively, while they gain experience in research, teaching, and managing both labs and department affairs.

The Undergraduate Programs

The department offers both a BA and a BS degree in Cognitive Science (Major Code: CG25). The BS requires completion of more rigorous lower-division course work and additional upper-division level computation course. The BS degree may be taken optionally with a specified area of specialization. Additionally, the department offers a BS degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN). There is also an honors program for exceptional students.

Degrees offered include:

• Cognitive Science Bachelor of Arts
• Cognitive Science Bachelor of Science
• Cognitive Science Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Clinical Aspects of Cognition
• Cognitive Science Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Design and Interaction
• Cognitive Science Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Machine Learning and Neural Computation
• Cognitive Science Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Language and Culture
• Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Bachelor of Science

Areas of Specialization

A major may elect to receive a BS in cognitive science with an area of specialization. The areas of specialization are intended to provide majors with guidance in choosing elective courses and to make the specific interests and training of a major clear to prospective employers and graduate schools. Specifying an area of specialization is optional; however, students should take into consideration when planning for their specialization that approved courses are not necessarily offered every year.

To major in cognitive science with an area of specialization, the student must fulfill the requirements for the BS degree and must choose four of the required six elective courses from a list of approved electives for that area of specialization. (The lists of approved electives for each area of specialization are available in the department office and on our website.)

The following areas of specialization are currently offered by the department:

Specialization in Clinical Aspects of Cognition

This area of specialization is intended for majors interested in cognitive neuropsychology, psychiatry, cognitive disorders, and the effects of drugs and brain damage on cognitive functions. Allowed electives include courses in those topics, as well as organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physiology. Major code: CG31.

Specialization in Design and Interaction

This area of specialization is intended for majors interested in human computer interaction, web design, visualization, and applications of cognitive science in design and engineering. Allowed electives currently include advanced courses in cognitive science, computer science, computer engineering, and visual arts. Major code: CG33.

Specialization in Language and Culture

This area of specialization is intended for majors whose primary interests include human psychology and applications of cognitive science in design and engineering. Allowed electives include courses in cognitive development, language, laboratory research of cognition, anthropology, and sociology. Major code: CG34.

Specialization in Machine Learning and Neural Computation

This area of specialization is intended for majors interested in computational and mathematical approaches to modeling cognition or building cognitive systems, theoretical neuroscience, as well as software engineering and data science. Allowed electives include advanced courses in neural networks, artificial intelligence, and computer science. Major code: CG35.

Specialization in Neuroscience

This area of specialization is intended for majors interested in neuroscience research or medicine. Allowed electives include courses in cognitive neuroscience, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physiology. Major code: CG29.

Grade Requirements for the Major

A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required for admittance to and graduation from the BA or BS degree program. Students must receive a grade of C– or better in any course to be counted toward fulfillment of the major requirements. All courses must be taken for a letter grade, with the exception of COGS 195, 198, and 199, which are taken Pass/Not Pass.

Course Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts

Complete most of your core courses during your junior year, if possible. At least four of the seven electives taken must be cognitive science courses; others can be chosen from the list of approved electives or petitioned through the department. Students are advised to complete the core courses in their junior year, especially if they intend to apply to the honors program. Students intending to take COGS 118A and/or 118B are advised to take MATH 20-A-B-C-E and MATH 18 and 180A before their junior year.

Lower Division (nine courses, thirty-six units)

Math (chosen from the following):

MATH 10A-B-C or
MATH 20A-B, 18

Cognitive Science:

Introduction: COGS 1
Design: COGS 10 or DSGN 1
Methods: COGS 13, 14A
Neuroscience: COGS 17
Programming: COGS 18 or CSE (7 or 8A or 11)

Upper Division (twelve courses, forty-eight units)

Core (choose any six):

Distributed Cognition: COGS 100
Fundamental Cognitive Phenomena: COGS 101A-B-C
Cognitive Neuroscience: COGS 107A-B-C
Computation: COGS 108

Electives (six courses):

• A total of six electives are required, where three of the six electives must be taken within the cognitive science department.
• Courses in the COGS 19X series (190A-B-C, 195, 198, 199) may NOT be used as an elective to satisfy the major requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
• COGS 160 may only be used once for elective.
• A course taken outside the department must meet the following criteria:
  1. The course must deal with topics and issues that are clearly part of cognitive science.
  2. The material must not be available in a course offered inside the department.

Majors must obtain departmental approval for electives taken outside of the department. This policy permits students and their advisers to be responsive to changes in course offerings.

Course Requirements for the Bachelor of Science

Complete most of your core courses during your junior year, if possible. At least three of the six electives taken must be cognitive science courses; others can be chosen from the list of approved electives or petitioned through the department. Students are advised to complete these core courses in their junior year, especially if they intend to apply to the honors program. Students intending to take COGS 118A and/or 118B are advised to take MATH 20-A-B-C-E and MATH 18 and 180A before their junior year.

Lower Division (eleven courses, forty-four units or ten courses, forty units)

Math (chosen from the following):

MATH 10A-B-C, 18 or
MATH 20A-B, 18

Cognitive Science:

Introduction: COGS 1
Design: COGS 10 or DSGN 1
Methods: COGS 13, 14A-B
Neuroscience: COGS 17
Programming: COGS 18 or CSE (7 or 8A or 11)

Upper Division (twelve courses, forty-eight units)

Core (six courses):

Distributed Cognition: COGS 100
Fundamental Cognitive Phenomena (choose any two): COGS 101A-B-C
Cognitive Neuroscience (choose any two): COGS 107A-B-C
Computation: COGS 108

Electives (six courses):

• A total of six electives are required, where three of the six electives must be taken within the cognitive science department. And if specialization, then four of the six electives must be taken from the approved specialization elective list.
• For students that specialize in machine learning and neural computation, choose two from this group: COGS 118A-B-C-D.
• COGS 160 may only be used once for elective.
• One course in the Cognitive Science 19X series may be used as an elective to satisfy the requirements for the BS degree, but only with the approval of both the instructor who supervised the course and the undergraduate adviser.
• A course taken outside the department must meet the following criteria:
  1. The course must deal with topics and issues that are clearly part of cognitive science.
  2. The material must not be available in a course offered inside the department.

Majors must obtain departmental approval for electives taken outside of the department. This policy permits students and their advisers to be responsive to changes in course offerings.

Suggested Four-Year Plan of Study

The four-year plan of study below assures that all prerequisites and requirements for the cognitive science major are completed. The department does enforce course prerequisites and several courses are offered only once a year, so careful planning is important. It is recommended that lower-division courses be taken in the first two years, core courses in the third year, and electives in the final year. Check with a departmental adviser about which quarter cognitive science courses will be offered each academic year. Check with a college adviser about course planning to meet college requirements.

Quarter by Quarter Plan for BA Degree

FALL	WINTER	SPRING
First Year
MATH 10A or 20A	MATH 10B or 20B	MATH 10C or 18
COGS 10 or DSGN 1	COGS 1	COGS 13
Requirements for your college	Requirements for your college	Requirements for your college
Sophomore Year
COGS 17	COGS 14A	1 Computer Programming
Requirements for your college	Requirements for your college	Requirements for your college
Junior Year
Core	Core	Core
Core	Core	Core
Requirements for your college	Requirements for your college	Requirements for your college
Senior Year
COGS UD Elective	COGS UD Elective	COGS UD Elective
UD Elective	UD Elective	UD Elective
Requirements for your college	Requirements for your college	Requirements for your college