Â鶹AV

What is Cognitive Science?ÌýÌý

Cognitive science is the study of intelligent behaviour in humans, animals and machines.Ìý To help us understand how intelligent behaviour occurs, cognitive science combines knowledge from the traditional disciplines of psychology, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, and philosophy.ÌýÌý

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýThese are some of the questions cognitive science tries to answer:

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý- How does human cognition work - how do we think, act, and learn?
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý- How does the brain process information?Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý- What is the relationship between language and thought?
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý-ÌýHow human-like could an artificially intelligent agent become?
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý-ÌýWhat is consciousness?Ìý

By answering these questions, cognitive science aims to better our understanding of intelligence, the human mind and brain, and help us to design and develop intelligent systems that people can work with.Ìý

Why study Cognitive Science at Â鶹AV?ÌýÌý

Interdisciplinary programÌý

The undergraduateÌýCognitive Science program at Â鶹AV will provide you with a truly interdisciplinary program experience.Ìý The coursework spans five principal areas of study:

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As part of the core curriculum, you will complete courses spanning these five disciplines. You will also choose one of these areas as your primary area of focus, or stream.Ìý This allows you to tailor your program to suit your individual interests and goals and allows you to dive deeper into one of the five areas of study.ÌýÌý

Research ExperienceÌý

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Bachelor of Arts and Science DegreeÌý

Cognitive Science is an interfaculty program offered by the Bachelor of Arts & Science (B.A. & Sc.) degree program. The B.A. & Sc. is intended for students who want to pursue an interdisciplinary course of study that combines the methods and modes of thought of both the Arts and Sciences.Ìý In order to declare Cognitive Science as your major, you need to first apply and be admitted to the B.A. & Sc. degree, once you are enrolled in the B.A. & Sc., then you can choose the "Interfaculty Program Cognitive Science" as your major.

How to Apply to the B.A. & ScÌý

After one year in the Interfaculty Cognitive Science program, you have the option of changing to the Honours Cognitive ScienceÌýprogram.  Both programs must be completed with a minor program, chosen from the list of minors for B.A. & Sc. students.
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What grad school and career opportunities will this program lead to?

The interdisciplinary nature of this program means that our students tend to have a wide range of interests and long-term goals. After completing this program you will gain a deeper understanding of how the mind works, this will benefit you in any profession you pursue.

At least half of the graduates from the Cognitive Science program go on to graduate or professional school programs, others will go directly into jobs in a variety of fields. Here are a few examples of the common pathways cognitive science graduates may pursue:

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