Cognitive science is the study of mental abilities such as perception, memory, thinking, action, speech, and language, and their bases in the brain, using scientific methods of experimentation, computer modeling, and brain imaging. The undergraduate concentration is designed to provide a flexible interdisciplinary approach with four areas of emphasis: perception, cognition, language, and cognitive neuroscience. Course work in related departments is encouraged. A Cognitive Science degree provides excellent preparation for careers in the sciences, computer fields, health professionals, law and education.
The A.B. program requires 13 courses and is primarily for students interested in studying human mental processes. The Sc.B. program requires 18 courses and is intended for students who also have strong interests in an affiliated area such as artificial intelligence, computational modeling, or cognitive neuroscience. Prospective concentrators should register for CG 1, preferably in their freshman or sophomore year.
Fulvio Domini, x3-1356, (Fulvio_Domini@Brown.edu).
1. Required core courses: cognition (CG 42), language (CG 41), perception (CG 44/PY 44), and cognitive neuroscience (CG 129, PY 110 or BN 1).
2. Required courses in skills and methodology, (CG 102, 123, 144, 145, 153 or 161), a basic computation course (CS 4, 15, or 17/18), and statistics (CG 9/PY 9 or AM 165).
3. Capstone Senior Seminar (CG 195).
4. Four Electives chosen from the list of relevant cognitive science courses below. Electives should in most cases include four 100-level courses and must show coherence and provide the concentrator with depth in one or more focus areas of study.
All of the requirements for the A.B. degree, plus Independent Study (CG 198), and a coherent program of at least four additional courses in the life sciences (e.g., cognitive science, psychology, or biology), physical sciences, mathematics, and/or applied mathematics that supports the student's area(s) of study. Many acceptable supporting science programs are possible, and the student should work out his/her program in consultation with the concentration advisor.
[(Due to changing availability, this list varies from year to year. Other courses may occasionally be substituted with advance permission of the concentration advisor.)]
1. Anthropology: 20, 80, 139, 180;
3. Biology and Medicine: 45, 48, 116, 140;
4. BioMed—Neuroscience: 65, 66, 103, 104, 168;
5. Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences: 7, 11, 32, 45, 48, 50, 63, 87, 88, 102, 111, 112, 113, 116, 118, 120, 121, 123, 124, 129, 131, 136, 138, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 147, 148, 150, 152, 153, 154, 156, 161, 162, 163, 164, 167, 171, 174, 184, 186, 187, 188, 198;
6. Computer Science: 22, 51, 123, 141, 148;
7. Education: 80, 126, 127, 171;
8. Engineering: 122, 157, 158, 166;
9. Philosophy: 2, 21, 36, 54, 155, 159, 163, 170, 175, 176, 177, 181, 188;
10. Psychology: 27, 47, 50, 75, 81, 105, 119, 140, 151, 173, 175, 178, 179, 180, 181, 185.
Other related courses may be offered if they fit into an integrated program, but such substitutions must be approved in advance by the Concentration Advisor.
Courses are listed below by areas of study in which the program has particular strengths. Students may also form foci that cut across these areas.
Cognitive Development: CG 63, 118, 143, 147, 152, 161, 162, 174, 188; AN 139; ED 80, 127, 171; PY 81; BN 104
Cognitive Neuroscience: CG 102, 129, 148, 150, 153, 154; AM 40; BN 103, 168; EN 122; PL 177; PY 47, 75, 140, 181;
Computational/Neural Modeling: CG 102, 120, 129, 136; AM40; BN 103, 168; CS 51, 141 148; AM 40, 136
Human Cognition: CG 48, 50, 63, 118, 129, 152, 153, 156, 161, 186, 187, 188; [ED 126; PY 140; CS 141; AN 139;] PL 155, 177
Neurolinguistics: CG 32, 124, 145, 147, 148, 150; BN 65, 103
Perception and Action: CG 119, 116, 120, 154; AM 136; BN 103; BI 45, 116, 140; CS 148; PY 50 175;
Psycholinguistics: CG 45, 111, 121, 123, 124, 131, 141, 142, 143, 145, 147, 148, 150, 174; AN 80, 180; BN 65. Any A.B. program that focuses mainly on language and cognition, can by arrangement, receive the designation "Cognitive Science–Psycholinguistics."
Theoretical Linguistics: CG 87, 111, 112, 113, 131, 136, 142 163, 164, 171; CS 22, 51, 141.
Vision: CG 120, 138, 144, 154, 186; PY 27, 119, 185; BN 66
Independent Study is encouraged for the A.B. degree and required for the Sc.B. degree. Students should sign up for CG 198 with a faculty advisor who is a member of the Department of Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences. Arrangements should be made in Semester 6 for students expecting to do independent study during Semesters 7 and/or 8.
Students interested in honors under either the A.B. or ScB. programs should identify a faculty honors sponsor and sign up with the concentration advisor during Semester 6. Although there is no minimum grade point average to enter the program, admission to the program is limited to students who have accumulated a strong academic record and is at the discretion of the department. It is expected that honors candidates will conduct a year-long research project under the direction of a faculty sponsor culminating in a written thesis and oral examination at the end of Semester 8. Students doing honors work may enroll for CG 198 for two terms.
Page last updated in April, 2006.