Studying cognitive science teaches you about the nature of consciousness, the interaction of mind and matter, and the relationship between thought and language.
Drawing on the disciplines of philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, and linguistics, cognitive science addresses fascinating questions about the nature of thought, intelligence, perception, emotion, and other aspects of our mental life. Our students explore societal and ethical issues in the classroom and through research, including how these issues apply to artificial intelligence. They also reflect on philosophical arguments, conduct psychology experiments, build computer models of intelligence, and investigate the biological bases of cognition. While building knowledge and skills in the discipline, the curriculum also emphasizes writing, computational thinking, and scientific communication.
Students are encouraged to participate in research with faculty, both through our curriculum and the Undergraduate Research Center’s summer research program. Students also learn to design experiments, analyze data, and write research papers through their coursework. We offer ongoing research opportunities in artificial intelligence. All cognitive science majors complete individual research for their senior comprehensives, on such topics as the use of meditation techniques to control pain, the role of emotion in how the brain processes music, and the development of racial bias in children.
By studying cognitive science, you will be prepared for a variety of careers in and out of the sciences. Our majors have gone on to graduate programs in neuroscience, psychology, computer science, medicine, nursing, education, speech language pathology, and archaeology. You might pursue a career in user experience/user interface, software engineering, artificial intelligence, child development, audio engineering, teaching, law, counseling, business, marketing, or research.
