Program Overview

Cognitive Science

The field of Cognitive Science uses scientific methods of experimentation, computational modeling, and brain imaging to study mental abilities such as perception, action, memory, cognition, speech, and language, as well as the development and evolution of those processes.

Degree Type

• A.B.
• Sc.B.

Department

The Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences

CIP Code

30.2501

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) was developed by the U.S. Department of Education to categorize educational programs in the U.S. for a variety of reporting purposes. Each program at Brown is assigned a CIP code that best matches its academic curriculum.

Current STEM Eligible CIP Codes

Related Academic Areas

• Biomed
• Brain and Neural Systems
• Cognitive and Psychological Sciences
• Neuroscience

Program Description

The field of Cognitive Science uses scientific methods of experimentation, computational modeling, and brain imaging to study mental abilities such as perception, action, memory, cognition, speech, and language, as well as the development and evolution of those processes.

Students must become knowledgeable in four areas of emphasis: perception, cognition, language, and computational methods, as well as a set of methods relevant to Cognitive Science research. Students then create their own focus area of study, potentially integrating coursework from the Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences department with a diverse subset of fields including Computer Science, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Anthropology, Applied Math, and Education. The A.B. program is primarily for students interested in studying human mental processes and acquiring a research orientation to the study of the mind. The Sc.B. program is designed for students who wish to develop a stronger background in Cognitive Science and requires students to engage in a specific research project in the focus area of their choosing.

Cognitive Science Concentration Requirements

• List of requirements
• Honors website

Student Goals

Students in this concentration will:

• Understand a range of mental abilities and their underlying bases in the brain
• Develop a flexible interdisciplinary approach to understanding the mind
• Gain fluency in statistical analysis and computation
• Learn and apply empirical methods relevant to the field
• Complete a capstone project

Department Undergraduate Group (DUG)

Student Leaders: Julia Ceccarelli, Anel Zhussubali, Phoebe Hong, Tiago Johnson

Graduating Class

Alumni Pathways

Alumni with degrees in Cognitive Science have pursued careers in research, software engineering, educational technology, epidemiology and public health, medicine, management consulting, and the law.

What are Cognitive Science concentrators doing… ...in their first year after graduation...5 and 10 years after graduation

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Andrea Simmons

Advisor

Daphna Buchsbaum