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INFORMATION ABOUT THE MAJOR

The B.S. in Cognitive Sciences is structured to provide students with a challenging introduction to the broad field of Cognitive Sciences that is strongly grounded in theory and an empirical approach emphasizing experimental/computational methods. To ensure an intellectually coherent experience, students in the major are able to choose courses from areas including: (a) Cognitive Neuroscience; (b) Experimental Psychology–Sensation, Perception, Attention, and Memory; (c) Language Science; and (d) Computational Cognitive Science. In addition, students are required to acquire a background in (a) calculus, (b) statistics, (c) introductory computer programming, and (d) some combination of the natural sciences, logic and philosophy of science, linguistics, or more advanced computer science or mathematics.

The Cognitive Science (B.S.) major prepares students for a research career in cognitive science, focusing on any of the current dominant approaches of the field. The study of cognition can be approached though cognitive neuroscience, behavioral experiments, language science, computational and mathematical modeling, or any combination of those. The major combines strong technical skills with deep knowledge of at least one of these approaches.

NOTE: Students may complete the B.S. in Psychology or B.S. in Cognitive Sciences. You may not double major within the majors offered by the department.

 

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REQUIRED COURSEWORK

The current degree requirements can be found in the UCI Catalogue.

For prior catalogue years, please refer to this link: http://catalogue.uci.edu/previouseditions/

NOTE: The BS Cog Sci degree requirements have changed effective Fall 2021, as noted in the UCI Catalogue and as listed below. Please refer to prior catalogue editions for previous degree requirements.

All students must meet the University Requirements.

All students must meet the School Requirements.

School requirements must be met and must include courses as specified below:

 
A. Complete the following:

 
B. Select three (3) courses from the following list:
 
Research Methods

 
C. Select six courses from the following list:

or

 
D. Select three courses from the following:
 
Upper Division Core Courses

 
E. Select seven courses from the following list. Up to three courses may also be taken from Requirement B and Requirement D: ^{(2), (3)}
 
Upper-Division Core Electives:

 

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HONORS PROGRAM IN COGNITIVE SCIENCES

The Honors Program in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences is an advanced educational and research program for outstanding undergraduate students in these majors.

The program emphasizes advanced competence in scientific research, and allows participants the opportunity to pursue advanced work in independent research, in addition to earning honors upon graduation. While the program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing graduate study or seeking challenging research experiences as a capstone to their undergraduate experience, all Psychology and Cognitive Sciences majors who meet the minimum eligibility requirements are welcome to apply.

For more information about the Honors Program, please visit here.

 

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CHANGE OF MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

In order to change your major to the B.S. in Cognitive Sciences, you must meet the following requirements:

 
For a listing of change of major requirements for all majors at UCI, please visit here.

 

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QUESTIONS

For academic advising (e.g., coursework required, change of major requirements), contact the School of Social Sciences' Undergraduate Student Affairs Office at: socsci@uci.edu or (949) 824-6803.

 

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Program Learning Outcomes - B.S. in CogSci

 

Acquire a Broad, Multidisciplinary Knowledge of Cognitive Sciences

• Majors can describe important questions, results, and theories in each of the following areas: consciousness, language, learning, memory, perception, and decision making.
• Majors have a foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and/or mathematics to provide a scientific basis for the multidisciplinary study of cognitive sciences.
• In each of four areas of more intensive study, majors can use theories in those areas to predict, evaluate, or interpret behavior in circumstances such as those they might encounter in their work or daily life.

 
Acquire understanding of the relationship between Cognitive Sciences and Neuroscience

• Majors understand and can describe how aspects of mental function relate to activity in the brain.

 
Interpret and Evaluate Research Results

• Majors can evaluate critically and apply to their life and work scientifically-based information available in the media as well as research journals in psychological science.
• Majors can explain how research method and design choices constrain the possible inferences from data.
• Majors understand the issues surrounding reproducibility and transparency in science

 
Obtain an in-depth understanding of research methods in Cognitive Sciences

• Majors have an understanding of the different research methods used in cognitive sciences including behavioral experiments, psychophysics, neuroscience methods, and mathematical modeling.
• Majors have a mastery of at least one scientific programming language and computational research methods