Program Overview

Program Overview

The Cognitive Science B.S. program provides a comprehensive exploration of the mind and mental processes by integrating aspects from various fields, including cognitive psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, and computer science. This program is designed for individuals who seek a profound understanding of the complex facets of cognition, through an interdisciplinary lens.

Learning Outcomes

• Application of knowledge using critical thinking skills: Students should be able to use critical thinking to evaluate and interpret evidence and to apply cognitive science concepts, theories, and research findings to individual, social, and cultural issues.
• Application of research methods with values and integrity: Students should be able to apply basic research methods in cognitive science with sensitivity to ethical principles.
• Communication skills: Students should be able to demonstrate effective communication skills following professional conventions in cognitive science appropriate to purpose and context.
• Awareness of methodological and theoretical diversity: Students should be able to understand the complexities of cognition using neural, embodied, social, and/or technological approaches.

Career Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychology is a particularly fast-growing field in the United States. Alumni go into academic research and teaching, clinical psychology, community relations, counseling, education, environmental psychology, forensic psychology, government research, human resources, law, market research, psychiatry, social services, and vocational psychology, to name a few options. Some of these careers require advanced degrees.

Admissions Requirements

First-Year Students

In addition to the courses required for UC admission, high school students considering psychology as their university major will benefit from a well-rounded background in English, mathematics through precalculus, natural sciences, social sciences, and writing.

Transfer Students

All programs are screening majors that have specific course and GPA requirements for transfer students. Transfer students must have an overall 3.0 GPA in all transferable courses completed before entering UCSC, with a minimum of 3.1 GPA in all psychology courses.

Transfer Course Requirements

While it is not a condition of admission, students from California community colleges may complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) in preparation for transfer to UCSC. Students planning to transfer should check with their present advising office or refer to assist.org to determine course equivalencies. Before transferring to UCSC, students should try to complete PSYCH 1, PSYCH 2, PSYCH 10, and the math requirement.

Course Substitutions

Students who want to fulfill major or minor requirements with courses taken at other institutions should contact the Psychology Department undergraduate advising staff, in order to substitute courses. Substitutions do not occur automatically.

Prerequisites for Upper-Division Courses

Upper-division courses assume that you enter them with the knowledge you should have acquired in prerequisite courses. Course prerequisites are listed in the catalog description of every course. The Advance Enrollment system checks for completion of prerequisites before students are allowed to enroll in courses. Substitutions of equivalent courses occur during new student orientations or by contacting the Psychology Department undergraduate advising staff. Course equivalencies are entered into the campus enrollment system through each department on campus, not by the Admissions Office.