Program Overview
Cognitive Science Program
The Cognitive Science program at the University of California, Davis, is an interdisciplinary study of human behavior and intelligence. It focuses on how information is perceived, processed, and transformed, drawing from anthropology, biology, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, and sociology to understand how the mind determines behavior.
Program Overview
The program is designed for students interested in artificial intelligence, linguistics, education, the health sciences, and sociocultural careers. It offers a broad grounding in the integrated sciences of the mind and connects approaches from different fields.
Major Requirements
The Cognitive Science major can be pursued as a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program. The main objective of both programs is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the mind and its functions. Students must complete a number of core courses, as well as specialty courses on topics such as:
- Logic for artificial intelligence
- Computational linguistics
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Animal cognition
- The psychology of music
Careers
Graduates of the Cognitive Science program can pursue careers in:
- Application development
- Behaviorism
- Professorship
- Research
- Training program management
Graduate Study
The program also prepares students for graduate study in fields such as:
- Medicine
- Cognitive science
- Brain sciences
- Human-computer interaction
Alumni Employers
Cognitive Science graduates have been employed by organizations such as:
- UC Davis Health
- Adobe
- Workday
- Accenture
- Life360
Related Degrees
Related fields of study include:
- Psychology
- Linguistics
- Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
Program Features
The program offers various opportunities, including:
- Internship opportunities
- Research projects and labs
- Global learning programs
- Undergraduate research opportunities
- Career guidance and support to connect the major to career opportunities.