Cognitive Studies
Program

Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Studies

Minor in Cognitive Studies

Environmental Sciences Concentration

Bachelor of Arts in
Cognitive Studies

The Cognitive Studies degree program offers an integrative approach to the study of human consciousness and cognitive processing. This interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary program draws from fields including Philosophy, Computer Science, Psychology, Neuroscience, Linguistics, Art, Biology, and Physics. Cognitive Studies emphasizes strategies for investigating how real (biological) and artificial (computational) brains individually and cooperatively solve problems, form concepts, process language, interpret visual and other sensory input, and develop understandings of the world. Students in the program will examine traditional approaches to understanding the mind, with a strong emphasis on philosophical, psychological, and physiological approaches.

The degree program includes integrative courses at the introductory and advanced levels that draw from, consolidate, and expand the material students have learned in coursework from the various contributing disciplines. Central themes include the view of consciousness as an information processing system, how consciousness arises from basic physiological processes, the emergence of patterns and adaptive pattern-recognition, and nonlinear dynamical methods for modeling complex systems. Focus is on the use of language, symbols, and images for representing, manipulating, and communicating knowledge. Students are encouraged to examine issues associated with human/machine interfaces, and will explore basic processes of memory and decision, the relation of thought to action, and recent advances in machine intelligence.

Adequate investigations of these phenomena require a synthesis of skills, methods, and knowledge, and depend on considerable facility with information technology tools and systems. Thus, in addition to their broad-based conceptual analysis of intelligent systems, students will be trained in a diversity of scientific methods and techniques, including rigorous quantitative analysis and effective computer simulations. The program will help students develop strong skills in using, understanding, and evaluating information technologies such as Internet resources and database systems. Students will develop strong communication skills, and the ability to present and convey information clearly and effectively orally, in writing, and in Internet-based presentations.

The graduate in Cognitive Studies will be prepared for work in fields requiring strong interdisciplinary problem-solving skills and depending on contemporary information technologies. Students also will be prepared for entry into graduate programs in Cognitive Science or related fields.

Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Studies

Requirements

1. Complete University General Education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree (51 units minimum).
2. Complete the following prerequisites to the major (22 units):
   BIOL 1010 Principles of Biology, 3 units
   COGS 2100 Introduction to Cognitive Studies, 3 units
   COGS 2300 Scientific Methods, Models, and Simulations, 3 units
   MATH 1600 Statistics, 4 units or
   MATH 1620 Probability and Statistics, 4 units
   PHIL 2100 Logic, 3 units
   PHIL 2230 Modern Philosophy, 3 units
   PSYC 2010 Introduction to Psychology, 3 units
3. Complete the major of 31 units, as approved by the major adviser.

The Major (31 units)

1. Required courses (22 units):
   COGS/CS 3150 Nonlinear Systems and Chaos, 3 units
   COGS 4100 Philosophical Aspects of Cognitive Science, 3 units
   COGS 4960 Seminar in Cognitive Studies, 3 units
   ENGL 3750 Introduction to Linguistic Theory, 4 units
   PHIL 3500 Philosophy of Mind (WP), 3 units
   PSYC 3100 Introduction to Physiological Psychology, 3 units
   PSYC 4400 Cognitive Processes, 3 units
2. Electives (9 units in consultation with adviser/coordinator)
   *BIOL 3350 Introductory Genetics, 3 units
   *CDEV 3170 Early Cognitive Development, 3 units
   *COGS 3100 Communication Networks, 3 units
   COGS/PSYC 4440 Psychology of Workplace Performance, 3 units
   COGS/PSYC 4700 Intelligence, 3 units
   COGS 4960 Seminar in Cognitive Science, 3 units (may be repeated for elective credit)
   *CS 4410 Automata, Computability, and Formal Languages, 3 units
   *CS 4450 Coding and Information Theory, 3 units
   *CS 4480 Artificial Intelligence, 3 units
   PHIL 4150 Cognitive Phenomenology, 3 units
   PHIL 4260 Twentieth Century Philosophy, 3 units
   PHIL 4300 Philosophy of Language, 3 units
   *PSYC 3400 Introduction to Perception, 3 units

*Indicates prerequisites beyond those to the major. Other courses may be approved by major adviser.

Minor in Cognitive Studies

Requirements (18 units)

1. Required courses (12 units):
   COGS 2100 Introduction to Cognitive Studies, 3 units
   COGS 4100 Philosophical Aspects of Cognitive Science, 3 units
   PSYC 2010 Introduction to Psychology, 3 units, or
   PSYC 2020 Introduction of Psychological Methods, 3 units
   PSYC 4400 Cognitive Processes, 3 units
2. Electives (6 units chosen from the following)
   *BIOL 3350 Introductory Genetics, 3 units
   *CDEV 3170 Early Cognitive Development, 3 units
   COGS 2300 Scientific Methods, Models, and Simulations, 3 units
   *COGS 3100 Communication Networks, 3 units
   COGS/PSYC 4440 Psychology of Workplace Performance, 3 units
   COGS/PSYC 4700 Intelligence, 3 units
   COGS/CS 3150 Nonlinear Systems and Chaos, 3 units
   COGS 4960 Seminar in Cognitive Science, 3 units
   (may be repeated for elective credit)
   *CS 4410 Automata, Computability, and Formal Languages, 3 units
   *CS 4450 Coding and Information Theory, 3 units
   *CS 4480 Artificial Intelligence, 3 units
   ENGL 3750 Introduction to Linguistic Theory, 4 units
   PHIL 3500 Philosophy of Mind (WP), 3 units
   PHIL 4150 Cognitive Phenomenology, 3 units
   PHIL 4260 Twentieth Century Philosophy, 3 units
   PHIL 4300 Philosophy of Language, 3 units
   PSYC 3100 Introduction to Physiological Psychology, 3 units
   *PSYC 3400 Introduction to Perception, 3 units

*Additional prerequisites apply. Other courses may be approved by minor adviser.

Environmental Sciences Concentration

The concentration in Environmental Sciences acquaints students with environmental problems and research in the areas of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Physical Sciences. Students will complete courses in each of these areas, participate in interdepartmental seminars, and become involved in the study of an environmentally related problem. Courses are required in each of the departments to help the student better understand the nature and diversity of the environment, as well as the broad scope of research and study necessary to deal effectively with environmental problems.

Each student must satisfy the graduation requirements of the University, including the completion of a major in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geology, Physical Sciences, or Physics. In addition, students must complete requirements for the Environmental Sciences concentration as outlined. Students majoring in Physical Sciences may combine the environmental sciences concentration requirements with major requirements to complete the Physical Sciences degree as outlined in the catalog.

Requirements (55 units minimum)*
* Most of these units will double-count in the major.

1. Complete the following prerequisites to the Environmental Sciences concentration or their equivalent when available (34-35 units):
   1. BOTY 1050 Introduction to Botany, 4 units
   2. ZOOL 1050 Introduction to Zoology, 4 units
   3. CHEM 1100, 1110 Principles of Chemistry I, II, 10?units
   4. MATH 1600 Statistics, 4 units, or
      MATH 4630 Probability Theory, 3 units
   5. CS 1000 Introduction to Computers, 3 units
   6. PHYS 2100, 2110 Basic Physics I, II, 10 units, or
      PHYS 2250, 2260 General Physics I, II, 8 units, and
      PHYS 2252, 2262 General Physics Lab I, II, 2 units
2. Complete the following coursework for the Environmental Sciences concentration (21-22 units):
   1. BIOL 4680 Ecology, 4 units
   2. CHEM 2010 Quantitative Analysis and Basic Instrumental Techniques, 4 units
   3. MATH 1410 Calculus I, 4 units, or
      MATH 1910 Calculus with Applications I, 3 units
   4. NSCI 4960 Seminar in Environmental Science, 1?unit
      (two semesters required), 2 units
   5. PHSC 3000 Energy, Ecology, and Environment, 3 units, or
      GEOL 3000 Physical and Environmental Geology, 4?units
   6. BIOL 4980 Individual Study, 4 units, or
      CHEM 4980 Individual Study, 4 units, or
      GEOL 4980 Individual Study, 4 units, or
      PHYS 4980 Individual Study, 4 units

Note: The individual study must be on an environmentally related problem which has been selected in consultation with the adviser. Each student should include additional environmental courses in consultation with the adviser.

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