Cognitive Science, B.S.

Core Curriculum: 38 - 51 credit hours

Please review the Core Curriculum  page for course options.

Required Core Courses

Students in the Cognitive Science degree must take these courses as part of their liberal arts core regardless of whether the core is otherwise met:

Liberal Arts, Mathematics

• MA 155 Elementary Probability & Statistics (3)  

Liberal Arts, Philosophy

Choose one of the following:

• PL 111 Introduction to Philosophy (3)  
• PL 113 Critical Reasoning (3)  
• PL 224 Robots, Machines, & Humans (3)  
• PL 255 Ethics (3)  

Liberal Arts, Social Science

• PY 101 General Psychology (3)  

Core Designations

Students in the Cognitive Science degree will meet 3-hours of Interdisciplinary Studies requirements by the following course:

Interdisciplinary Studies

• IS 301 Minds (3)  

Cognitive Science Requirements (14 - 17 credit hours)

• CG 261 - Psychological Statistics & Methods I (3)
• CG 262 - Psychological Statistics & Methods II (3)
• CG 371 - Cognitive Psychology (3)

•  

• Choose One of the Following:

• CG 297 - Research Experience I (1) (2 credit hours) or
• CG 497 - Research Experience II (1) (2 credit hours)

•  

• Choose One of the Following:

• CG 495 - Cognitive Science Internship (3) and
• CG 499 - Readings in Cognitive Science (3)

• OR

• CG 498 - Senior Thesis (3)

•  

• EN 112 - Composition II: Rhetorical Argument (3) (unless taken for core credit)

Cognitive Science Electives (18 credit hours)

Students must choose 18 credit hours from the following courses to complete their Cognitive Science degree. Courses used in the Liberal Arts Core cannot be used as an elective. Students must select from three (3) different disciplines.

• AN 122 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
• BI 220 - Human Anatomy & Physiology (6-8)
• CS 116 - Problem Solving with Algorithms (2)
• CS 120 - Introduction to CS I (4)
• CS 215 - Into to Data Analysis using R (3)
• CS 222 - Data Structures (4)
• ED 245 - Tests & Measurements (3)
• MA 230 - Discrete Mathematics (3)
• PL 111 - Introduction to Philosophy (3)
• PL 113 - Critical Reasoning (3)
• PL 224 - Robots, Machines, & Humans (3)
• PL 255 - Ethics (3)
• PY 208 - Lifespan Development (3)

•  

• Six hours of upper division courses from the following:

• BI 310 - Evolution (3)
• BI 318 - Genetics (3)
• BI 351 - Introduction to Animal Behavior (3)
• CG 403 - Sensation & Perception (3)
• CG 404 - Tests & Measurements (3)
• CG 406 - Human Memory (3)
• CG 408 - Thinking, Decision-Making & Reasoning (3)
• EN 350 - Rhetorical Theory (3)
• IS 350 - Behavior & the Brain (3)
• IS 372 - Being Together: A Global Context (3)
• KN 393 - Sports Psychology (3)
• MA 320 - Linear Algebra (3)
• PL 326 - Feminist Theory & Practice (3)
• PL 372 - Being Together: A Global Context (3)
• PY 350 - Behavior & the Brain (3)
• PY 474 - Motivation & Emotion (3)

Electives (minimum of 41 credit hours)

Technology Requirement

Computer competency will be demonstrated by successful completion of CG 262 / PY 262  within the major.

Outcomes

Outcome 1: Students should understand the historical, multi-disciplinary foundations of cognitive science. ​

Outcome 2: Students should demonstrate an understanding of the questions that unite multiple disciplines in cognitive science. ​

Outcome 3: Students should demonstrate competence in writing and oral communication skills.

Outcome 4: Students should demonstrate a breadth of knowledge related to major concepts and theories in cognitive science. ​

Outcome 5: Students should demonstrate an understanding of multiple methodological approaches to the study of the mind and cognition. ​

Outcome 6: Students should demonstrate an understanding of multiple disciplinary or theoretical approaches to the study of the mind and cognition. ​

Outcome 7: Students should demonstrate a depth of knowledge in at least one concentration area in the cognitive science major. ​

Assessment

The outcomes for the Cognitive Science major are assessed through a combination of: (1) written and performance examinations and assignments as specified in the course syllabi; (2) self, instructor, and Cognitive Science faculty evaluations; and (3) completed projects assigned throughout the program.