Director: Janet K. Andrews (Psychology); Faculty Members: Gwen J. Broude (Psychology), Herman Cappelen (Philosophy), Carol Christensen (Psychology), Jennifer Church (Philosophy), Luke Hunsberger (Computer Science), Nancy Ide (Computer Science), Kenneth R. Livingston (Psychology), John H. Long, Jr. (Biology); Participating Faculty: Randolph Cornelius (Psychology), Jeffrey Cynx (Psychology), Thomas Ellman (Computer Science), John Feroe (Mathematics), Janet Gray (Psychology), Kevin Holloway (Psychology), Jannay Morrow (Psychology), Thomas Porcello (Anthropology), Carolyn Palmer (Psychology), Kathleen M. Susman (Biology), Debra Zeifman (Psychology).

The relationship between consciousness and brain activity, the nature of language and symbolism, the possibility of machine intelligence, and the explanation of perception, memory, thought, emotion, and metaphor are such rich and complex problems that their exploration demands a multidisciplinary approach. Studies in the field of cognitive science combine the conceptual analysis of philosophy and linguistics with the technology of computer science and the empirical research of psychology and neuroscience in an attempt to understand these phenomena.

The key elements of the major in cognitive science are (1) sustained exposure to an integrated multidisciplinary perspective through the Core Courses in cognitive science, (2) development of thematic expertise or breadth in Cognitive Science themes and methods, (3) completion during the senior year of an independent research project on a topic chosen by the student.

The first of these goals is met by completion of the following courses. All majors are required to complete all of these courses:

The second goal of the major is met by choosing four courses from the possible electives listed below. The following stipulations apply to electives: (1) The choice of electives must be made in consultation with the adviser at the time of declaration of the major. (2) Elective courses should allow students either to (a) gain thematic expertise or (b) attain breadth in Cognitive Science themes and methods. (3) At least one of the four electives must be a 300-level seminar. This can include a second Cognitive Science seminar. (4) No more than one of the electives can be a 100-level course. The exception is the Computer Science 101-102 sequence. A student who takes this sequence can have both courses count toward the major.

The final goal of the major is met by completing a thesis in the senior year. The topic of the thesis is chosen by the student in consultation with one or more members of the program faculty. All majors must sign up for the thesis in the senior year. Students are strongly encouraged to sign up for Cognitive Science 300-301 for 1/ 2 credit in the a-semester and 1/ 2 credit in the b-semester, for a total of 1 unit of credit. In cases where this is not possible it is acceptable to sign up for Cognitive Science 302 for a full unit in either the a- or the b-term. Students should consult their adviser before electing the latter option.

After declaration of the major, all courses within the major must be taken for letter grades. Students may elect a graded or ungraded option for theses, but may not change the election once made.