Program Overview

Introduction to Cognitive Science

Cognitive Science is a diverse field unified and motivated by a single basic inquiry: What is cognition? How do people, animals, or computers 'think,' act, and learn? In order to understand the mind/brain, cognitive science brings together methods and discoveries from neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and computer science.

Program Overview

The UC San Diego Department of Cognitive Science offers both a B.A. degree and a B.S. degree. Students are given the opportunity to take classes offered from the department, as well as from several other interdisciplinary departments across the campus.

Areas of Specialization

A major may elect to receive a B.S. in cognitive science with a specified area of specialization. The areas of specialization are intended to provide majors with guidance in choosing elective courses and to make the specific interests and training of the major clear to prospective employers and graduate schools. Specifying an area of specialization is optional. Students should take into consideration when planning for their specialization that approved courses are not necessarily offered every year. The specialization will be listed on your transcript.

The areas of specialization are:

• Neuroscience
• Clinical Aspects of Cognition
• Language and Culture
• Design and Interaction
• Machine Learning and Neural Computation
• Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience

Undergraduate Programs

• Advising
• Major Program
  • Majors entering before Fall 2016
  • B.A. Cognitive Science
  • B.S. Cognitive Science
  • B.S. Spec. Neuroscience
  • B.S. Spec. Clinical Aspects
  • B.S. Spec. Language & Culture
  • B.S. Spec. Design & Interaction
  • B.S. Spec. Machine Learning & Neural Computation
  • B.S. Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience
• Minor Program
• Courses
• Prospective Undergraduates
• Student Resources
• IRSPD
• Honors Program

Undergraduate Advising

In-person advising is unavailable. Virtual advising is available. Please see the advising section for walk-in hours.