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UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Department of Cognitive Sciences offers the following undergraduate degrees:

• B.S. in Psychology (effective Fall 2019)
• B.S. in Cognitive Sciences (effective Fall 2013)

 

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COURSE OFFERINGS

For the most current course offerings, check WEBSOC directly.
To learn more about the classes (including prerequisites and course descriptions), click here.

A couple of reminders:

1. All academic advising questions - including DegreeWorks updates, prerequisite clearance, academic advising, unit enrollment increases, change of major requests, and other academic related questions - are handled by the UG Student Affairs Office not the department. Check this page for appropriate forms and this page for advising options/contact information.
2. Courses are restricted to MAJORS only until all enrollment windows are open. Some courses may remain restricted to majors for the duration of the quarter. For specific dates, check the School of Social Sciences comments at the top of the Schedule of Classes (WEBSOC).
3. For courses cross-listed between COGS and PSYCH, the COGS listing will be open to BS COG SCI majors while the PSYCH listing will be open to BS PSYCH majors, unless otherwise stated.
4. If a course has a B or X restriction listed, you may obtain an authorization code by contacting the instructor listed for the course unless there is an instruction listed that indicates otherwise (e.g., to contact the department).
5. If a course does not have a B or X restriction listed, NO authorization codes are being used. Please do not request one from the instructor.
6. If no instructor is listed, do not contact the instructor who last taught the course. They are not teaching it. 

 

Below is a TENTATIVE listing of courses to be offered during the 2024-25AY.
Courses taught by other departments and crosslisted with with Cog Sci have not been added for Winter or Spring 2025. The list will be updated as information is provided. 

FALL 2024 COURSES:

Requirements listed are as noted in the UCI General Catalogue:  

• BS COG SCI Requirements can be found here.
• BS PSYCH Requirements can be found here.

NOTE: If you are following an earlier catalogue year that had slightly different requirements (specifically, Cog Sci major following the 2020-21 Catalogue, BS Psych major following the 2021-22 Catalogue) and cannot figure out how to match the old requirement to the current one, you can ontact the department office via email for assistance.

 

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WINTER 2025 COURSES:

Requirements listed are as noted in the UCI General Catalogue:  

• BS COG SCI Requirements can be found here.
• BS PSYCH Requirements can be found here.

NOTE: If you are following an earlier catalogue year that had slightly different requirements (specifically, Cog Sci major following the 2020-21 Catalogue, BS Psych major following the 2021-22 Catalogue) and cannot figure out how to match the old requirement to the current one, you can contact the department office via email for assistance.

 

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SPRING 2025 COURSES:

Requirements listed are as noted in the UCI General Catalogue:  

• BS COG SCI Requirements can be found here.
• BS PSYCH Requirements can be found here.

NOTE: If you are following an earlier catalogue year that had slightly different requirements (specifically, Cog Sci major following the 2020-21 Catalogue, BS Psych major following the 2021-22 Catalogue) and cannot figure out how to match the old requirement to the current one, you can contact the department office via email for assistance.

 

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UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE

Academic advising is handled by the School of Social Sciences' Undergraduate Student Affairs Office and not within the department. The mission of the Undergraduate Student Affairs is to provide quality, student-centered educational support and to offer services that meet the administrative, academic goals of students, the School and the University.

The Student Affairs office can assist you with academic advising, course planning, change of major request, financial aid appeals, course substitutions, and information concerning honors, graduate and professional school, and career and internships. Appointments with academic counselors are scheduled for majors in the School of Social Sciences. All others are able to speak with a Peer Advisor at any time.

Academic advising is provided through in-person walk-ins, Zoom drop-ins, and scheduled appointments. To determine which form of advising works for you, please check: https://www.undergrad.socsci.uci.edu/ssusa/advising.php. The office can also be reached at: socsci@uci.edu or (949) 824-6803.

 

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HONORS PROGRAM IN PSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES

The Honors Program is designed for students in the Psychology (Cognitive Sciences) major who are interested in pursuing graduate study in psychology or seeking challenging research experiences as a capstone to their undergraduate experience. The program includes rigorous courses in Experimental Psychology, seminar classes, over one year of research experience, and culminates in an honors thesis.

For information about the honors program and to download the application, please visit: Honors Program in Psychology.

If you have questions about the Honors Program, please send an e-mail addressed to Professor Barbara Dosher (Honors Program Director) at: cogsci@uci.edu.

 

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HONOR SOCIETY (PSI CHI)

Students meeting the following criteria are eligible to become part of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology.

• Junior or Senior status
• Completed at least two quarters at UCI
• Completed at least four upper division psychology courses (at UCI)
• Psychology GPA in the upper 10% of the major
• Overall GPA of at least 3.3

The UCI chapter of Psi Chi invites new members twice a year. Invitations are sent by e-mail no later than November 15 and April 15.

Invitations are sent to undergraduate majors in Psychology or Psychology and Social Behavior who meet the above criteria.
Invitees will be asked to provide a letter of recommendation from a psychology professor, and evidence of a genuine interest in psychology (e.g., volunteering in a lab or clinic).

If you have questions about Psi Chi, please send an e-mail to: cogsci@uci.edu.

 Psi Chi Website

 

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ROBERT J. GLUSHKO PRIZE

The Robert J. Glushko Prize recognizes undergraduate excellence in Cognitive Science. A letter of recognition and a $500 cash prize will be awarded each year to undergraduate Cognitive Sciences or Psychology (B.S.) majors who are engaged with the Cognitive Science community at UCI and have achieved excellence through:

• Outstanding achievement in coursework across the Psychology or Cognitive Sciences curriculum; and
• Sustained engagement with and contribution to faculty-directed research culminating in a paper and/or an oral research presentation.

The research paper may be an honors' thesis, working paper, grant submission, including SURP/UROP proposals, or conference or journal submission. A paper produced as part of a collaboration, including with faculty advisors and graduate students, is eligible.

The qualifying oral presentations may be given in a research group, lab or conference setting. The student must give the presentation for it to be eligible.  A pdf of the presentation should be submitted.

Eligibility: UCI students majoring in B.S. Cognitive Sciences or B.S. Psychology.

Applications for the 2022-23 academic year are being accepted. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 5, 2023. Instructions including the application form can be found at this link: 2023 Glushko Prize Application. 

The inaugural (2021-22) Robert J. Glushko prize recipients were: 

• Vivian Nguyen, a B.S. Psychology major, for UROP-funded research on the way in which generic statements communicate information. Vivian is mentored by Professor Barbara Sarnecka and graduate student Jeff Coon.
• Ren-Hui Michelle Tham, a B.S. Cognitive Sciences major, for UROP-funded research on instrumental divergence in goal-directed choice. Michelle is mentored by Professor Mimi Liljeholm. 

 

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COGNITIVE SCIENCE ASSOCIATION

The purpose of the CSA is to empower students in the Cognitive Science major and related majors by creating a tight-knit community through interactions with guest speakers, professional development, and just having fun together. Most importantly, the CSA wants to help the cognitive sciences community have more opportunities to learn and volunteer, as well as have peer academic support

 Cognitive Science Association Website

 

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PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The core purpose of the Psychology Student Association (PSA) is to help students, primarily those in the Psychology majors, to advance their academic achievements by providing different resources that connect to their fields of interests, as well as widen their social circle.

 Psychology Student Association Website

 

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