The Cognitive Science major focuses on the study of intelligent systems, both real and artificial. While including a strong foundation in the traditional areas of psychology, the major is interdisciplinary in nature and emphasizes subject matter within cognitive psychology, computer science, mathematics, and related disciplines.

Students plan to pursue graduate work in cognitive science or related fields; however, they may want to include additional advanced courses in psychology and fields related to cognitive science (e.g., computer science, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, and statistics) as well as other types of research and fieldwork experiences.

Capstone Major

The Cognitive Science major is a designated capstone major. Students are required to produce a paper based on each term of their experience in a research laboratory or approved fieldwork site. Through completion of the capstone experience students are expected to identify a research topic and hypothesis to be tested or a fieldwork project and goals, show that they can organize and integrate information related to the topic or project clearly in their own words, demonstrate the ability to find and utilize supporting literature relevant to their project or topic, and successfully relate the paper to their experience in the laboratory or fieldwork setting.

Mga Resulta ng Pagkatuto

1. Ability to identify a research topic and hypothesis to test, or a fieldwork project and goals

2. Demonstrated organization and integration, in a clear manner and in the student’s own words, of information related to a topic or project

3. Demonstrated ability to find and utilize supporting literature relevant to a project or topic

4. Successful relation of the paper to the student’s laboratory or fieldwork experience

5. Ability to discuss results in front of a peer group: verbally communicate ideas motivating the experiment, make the experiment clear to those not familiar with the methods, and answer questions