Program Overview
Cognitive Science at this institution integrates multiple perspectives, including linguistics, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and computer science. Students delve into the study of the human mind and brain, exploring its representations, processes, and how these are realized in the brain. The program allows students to specialize in two focal areas, gaining a deeper understanding of specific sub-disciplines within cognitive science. Hands-on research opportunities and a strong emphasis on developing both conceptual and practical skills prepare students for advanced training or careers in cognitive science or related fields.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Cognitive science is the study of the human mind and brain, focusing on how the mind represents and manipulates knowledge and how mental representations and processes are realized in the brain. Cognitive scientists seek to understand the mental computations underlying cognitive functioning, and how these computations are implemented by neural tissue. Also of central interest in cognitive science are questions about how cognitive functions develop, and how they break down when the brain is damaged. Cognitive science is a relatively new field, having emerged at the interface of cognitive psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, and computer science. As a consequence of this diverse ancestry, cognitive science incorporates a variety of perspectives and methodologies, including linguistic analysis, empirical studies of normal cognitive functioning in adults, developmental studies of children, cognitive neuropsychological research on cognitive deficits, functional neuroimaging studies, and computational modeling. Our cognitive science undergraduate program reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the field, allowing students to approach the study of the mind and brain from multiple perspectives. Students gain broad knowledge of the field as a whole, plus a greater depth of the understanding in two of the sub-disciplines within the field. Training emphasizes not only learning about the principal theories and evidence, but also development of the conceptual and practical skills needed for understanding and conducting theoretical and empirical work in the field. Undergraduate students in the department also have many opportunities to get involved in research.
Outline:
The required courses for cognitive science majors are divided into five general areas:
- Cognitive Psychology/Neuropsychology (COGS-COGPSY)
- Linguistics (COGS-LING)
- Computational Approaches to Cognition (COGS-COMPCG)
- Neuroscience (COGS-NEURO)
- Philosophy of Mind (COGS-PHLMND)
Course Requirements:
- Two Focal Areas: Four courses in each of the two chosen focal areas. Research, readings, and practica courses do not qualify. At least two courses in each focal area must be at the 300-600 level. (112-16 credits)
- Three 'Non-Focal' Areas: One course at any level from each of the three non-focal areas. Research, readings, and practica courses do not qualify. (9-12 credits)
- Additional Upper-Level Elective Courses: Nine credits at the 300-600 level chosen from any of the five areas or other cognitive science courses. Up to three credits of cognitive science research, readings, or practica may apply. (29 credits)
- Math: Select Math Option A or B:
- Math Option A: 3 credits from the following:
- AS.110.106 Calculus I (Biology and Social Sciences)
- AS.110.107 Calculus II (For Biological and Social Science)
- AS.110.109 Calculus II (For Physical Sciences and Engineering)
- AS.110.113 Honors Single Variable Calculus
- AS.110.201/212 Linear Algebra
- EN.553.291 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
- AS.150.118 Introduction to Formal Logic
- AS.150.420 Mathematical Logic I
- AS.050.370 Mathematical Models of Language
- AS.050.371 Bayesian Inference
- AS.050.372 Foundations of Neural Network Theory
- EN.553.171 Discrete Mathematics
- Math Option B: 4 credits from the following:
- AS.200.200 Research Methods in Psychology
- AS.200.201 Design & Statistical Analysis for Psychology
Total Credits:
36-45
Note for students pursuing the Linguistics focus area:
One intermediate or advanced foreign language course may be used to partially satisfy the upper-level course requirement for the Linguistics focus area and one other intermediate or advanced foreign language course may be used to partially satisfy the Additional Upper-Level Elective Courses requirement. Language course that currently apply begin with the department numbers: 210, 370, 373, 375, 377, 378, 380, 381, and 384. If seeking this focus area in the major, students are not eligible to complete the Linguistics minor.
Sample Program:
The below sample program demonstrates how a student with the focal areas of Cognitive Psychology/Neuropsychology and Linguistics might complete the Cognitive Science major requirements in four years. Each student's path through the program will have variation depending on the two focal areas they choose to pursue within the major.
First Year:
- First Semester: Course in Linguistics area (any level) (3-4 credits)
- Second Semester: Course in Neuroscience area (any level) (3 credits)
Second Year:
- First Semester: Course in Computational Approaches to Cognitive Science area (any level) (3-4 credits), Course in Cognitive (Neuro)Psychology area (any level) (3 credits)
- Second Semester: Course in Cognitive (Neuro)Psychology area (any level) (3 credits), Course in Linguistics area (300-level or above) (3-4 credits), AS.200.200 (4 credits), AS.200.201 (4 credits)
Third Year:
- First Semester: Course in Philosophy of Mind area (any level) (3 credits), Cognitive Science elective (300-level or above) (1-4 credits)
- Second Semester: Course in Linguistics area (any level) (3-4 credits), Course in Cognitive (Neuro)Psychology area (300-level or above) (3-4 credits)
Fourth Year:
- First Semester: Course in Linguistics area (300-level or above) (3-4 credits), Cognitive Science elective (300-level or above) (1-4 credits)
Other:
- To receive Honors in Cognitive Science, graduating seniors must have a major GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- The Glushko Outstanding Undergraduate Cognitive Scientist Prize is awarded annually to the senior cognitive science major who has demonstrated the strongest combination of:
- Academic excellence
- Sustained and outstanding involvement in research
- Significant contribution to the undergraduate environment of the JHU Cognitive Science Department
- Involvement in increasing awareness of cognitive science at JHU and beyond
- Intent to pursue a career building on their expertise in cognitive science
Expected Learning Outcomes:
- Acquire a firm grasp of the basic conception of the mind and brain that defines the discipline of cognitive science.
- Develop the fundamental skills required for understanding theories, evidence, and methods in cognitive science, and for pursuing advanced training in cognitive science or one of its sub-disciplines.
- Develop a basic understanding of the major sub-disciplines of cognitive science (i.e., linguistics, cognitive psychology and neuropsychology, neuroscience, computational approaches, philosophy of mind), and the relationships among sub-disciplines.
- Develop an understanding of theories, evidence, and research methods in the principal content domains within cognitive science (e.g., language, vision).
- Gain a deeper understanding of two sub-disciplines of cognitive science, and the principal content domains within these sub-disciplines.
- Acquire the skills required for clear and cogent written and oral communication in cognitive science.
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