Cognitive Science, Bachelor of Science College of Letters & Science
The Major Programs
The Cognitive Science major is designed to provide a broad interdisciplinary approach to the study of mind that includes courses from different departments and attracts students with a variety of interests. It emphasizes a multifaceted approach to the study of mind that integrates concepts and techniques from psychology, artificial intelligence, linguistics, neurology, philosophy and other relevant fields.
For students interested in the liberal arts the Cognitive Science major can be pursued as a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) program. Alternatively, it can be pursued as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program for students with a stronger interest in the mathematical, neurological and computational foundations of the discipline. The main objective of both programs is to give the student a broad grounding in the integrated sciences of the mind and to connect approaches from different fields. Students must complete a number of core courses for the degree, as well as a number of specialty courses on such wide-ranging topics as logic for artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, cognitive neuroscience, animal cognition and the psychology of music.
Career Alternatives
A degree in Cognitive Science provides broad intellectual foundations useful for careers in a variety of areas, including teaching, business, social work/counseling and the information technology industry. Undergraduate education in cognitive science also prepares the student for graduate study in appropriate subfields of psychology, linguistics, philosophy and informatics. It is also suitable training for pre-medicine, pre-law, and premanagement students.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program students select to pursue either the Computational Emphasis (Emphasis 1) or the Neuroscience Emphasis (Emphasis 2).
Major Advisors
Staff advisors are located in Young Hall; cogsciadvising@ucdavis.edu; 530 752 5104. For more information on how to make an appointment or join Drop-In Advising, see Yellow Cluster Undergraduate Advising Center.
Computational Emphasis
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
Cognitive Science: | ||
CGS 001/PHI 010 | Introduction to Cognitive Science | 4 |
Computer Science Engineering | ||
ECS 020 | Discrete Mathematics For Computer Science | 4 |
Choose a series: | 12 | |
Introduction to Programming and Introduction to Data Structures and Software Development in UNIX & C++ (pre-req is ECS 032C) | ||
Programming & Problem Solving and Software Development & Object-Oriented Programming in C++ and Data Structures, Algorithms, & Programming | ||
Linguistics | ||
LIN 001 | Introduction to Linguistics | 4 |
or LIN 001Y | Introduction to Linguistics | |
Mathematics | ||
Choose a series: | 12 | |
Calculus for Biology & Medicine and Calculus for Biology & Medicine and Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
OR | ||
Calculus and Calculus and Calculus | ||
MAT 022A & 022AL | Linear Algebra and Linear Algebra Computer Laboratory | 4 |
or MAT/BIS 027A | Linear Algebra with Applications to Biology | |
Philosophy | ||
PHI 012 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | 4 |
PHI 013G | Minds, Brains, & Computers with Discussion | 4 |
Psychology | ||
PSC 001 | General Psychology | 4 |
or PSC 001Y | General Psychology | |
Research Methods | ||
PSC 041 | Research Methods in Psychology | 4 |
Statistics | ||
STA 013 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
or STA 013Y | Elementary Statistics | |
or STA 100 | Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences | |
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 60 | |
Depth Subject Matter | ||
Group A: Core | ||
All courses from Group A: | 12 | |
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | ||
or PSC 100Y | Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | |
Intermediate Symbolic Logic | ||
Group B: Computation | ||
Choose three from Group B: | 12 | |
Theory of Computation | ||
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | ||
Machine Learning | ||
Computational Linguistics | ||
Logic, Probability, & Artificial Intelligence | ||
Group C: Neuroscience | ||
Choose one from Group C: | 4 | |
Neuroeconomics/Reinforcement Learning & Decision Making | ||
Biological Basis of Language | ||
Introduction to Biological Psychology 2 | ||
Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biological Foundations of the Mind 2 | ||
Advanced Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
Choose one from Group D or E: | 4 | |
Group D: Philosophy | ||
Philosophy on Mind | ||
The Evolution of Mind | ||
Knowledge & the A Priori | ||
Formal Epistemology | ||
Group E: Linguistics | ||
Linguistic Analysis I: Phonetics, Phonology, Morphology | ||
Linguistic Analysis II: Morphology, Syntax, Semantics | ||
Languages of the World | ||
Multilingualism | ||
Group F: Psychology | ||
Choose four from Group F (which do not overlap with the Group C course): | 15-18 | |
Introduction to Biological Psychology 2 | ||
Statistical Analysis of Psychological Data | ||
Statistical Analysis of Psychological Data | ||
Developmental Psychobiology | ||
Physiological Psychology | ||
Comparative Neuroanatomy | ||
Human Learning & Memory | ||
Perception | ||
Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biological Foundations of the Mind 2 | ||
Psychology of Music | ||
Neurobiology of Learning & Memory | ||
Developmental Psychology | ||
or PSC 140Y | Developmental Psychology | |
Cognitive Development | ||
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 47-50 | |
Total Units | 107-110 |
- 1
For a list of approved CGS Topical Courses, please see the major worksheet.
- 2
PSC 101 and PSC 135 can be used for either Group C or Group F, but not both.
Neuroscience Emphasis
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
Cognitive Science | ||
CGS 001/PHI 010 | Introduction to Cognitive Science | 4 |
Biological Science | ||
BIS 002B | Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution | 5 |
BIS 002C | Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life | 5 |
BIS 002A | Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth (recommended to take after BIS 002B and BIS 002C) | 5 |
Linguistics | ||
LIN 001 | Introduction to Linguistics | 4 |
or LIN 001Y | Introduction to Linguistics | |
Mathematics | ||
Choose a series: | 12 | |
Calculus for Biology & Medicine and Calculus for Biology & Medicine and Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
OR | ||
Calculus and Calculus and Calculus | ||
Philosophy | ||
PHI 013G | Minds, Brains, & Computers with Discussion | 4 |
Physics | ||
Choose a series: | 12-15 | |
General Physics and General Physics and General Physics | ||
Classical Physics and Classical Physics and Classical Physics | ||
Psychology | ||
PSC 001 | General Psychology | 4 |
or PSC 001Y | General Psychology | |
Research Methods | ||
PSC 041 | Research Methods in Psychology | 4 |
Statistics | ||
STA 013 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
or STA 013Y | Elementary Statistics | |
or STA 100 | Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences | |
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 63-66 | |
Depth Subject Matter | ||
Group A: Core | ||
All courses from Group A: | 13 | |
Neurobiology | ||
Statistical Analysis of Psychological Data | ||
Group B: Computation | ||
Choose one from Group B: | 4-5 | |
Computational Linguistics | ||
Computational Neuroscience (offered very irregularly) | ||
Group C: Neuroscience | ||
Choose 12-13 units from Group C: | 12-13 | |
Neuroeconomics/Reinforcement Learning & Decision Making | ||
Biological Basis of Language | ||
Developmental Neurobiology (3 units) | ||
Neural Mechanisms of Behavior (3 units) | ||
Systems Neuroscience | ||
Mammalian Vision | ||
Neurobiology of Speech Perception (3 units) | ||
Introduction to Biological Psychology 2 | ||
Physiological Psychology 2 | ||
Hormones & Behavior (3 units) | ||
Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biological Foundations of the Mind 2 | ||
Advanced Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
Choose two from Groups D or E: | 8 | |
Group D: Philosophy | ||
Philosophy on Mind | ||
The Evolution of Mind | ||
Knowledge & the A Priori | ||
Formal Epistemology | ||
Group E: Linguistics | ||
Linguistic Analysis I: Phonetics, Phonology, Morphology | ||
Linguistic Analysis II: Morphology, Syntax, Semantics | ||
Languages of the World | ||
Multilingualism | ||
Group F: Psychology | ||
Choose two from Group F (which do not overlap with courses selected for Group C): | 7 | |
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | ||
or PSC 100Y | Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | |
Introduction to Biological Psychology 2 | ||
Developmental Psychobiology | ||
Physiological Psychology 2 | ||
Comparative Neuroanatomy | ||
Human Learning & Memory | ||
Perception | ||
Language & Cognition | ||
Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biological Foundations of the Mind 2 | ||
Psychology of Music | ||
Neurobiology of Learning & Memory | ||
Developmental Psychology | ||
Cognitive Development | ||
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 44-46 | |
Total Units | 107-112 |
- 1
For a list of approved CGS Topical Courses, please see the major worksheet.
- 2
PSC 101, PSC 121, and PSC 135 can be used for either Group C or Group F, but not both.