 Our Minor
Summary of Requirements for the
Minor
The minor in Cognitive Science normally requires
that you have a major or minor (planned or declared) in one of the following
participating disciplines: Biology, Computer Science, Linguistics
(including specialists in linguistics from the foreign language
departments), Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, or Psychology. Students
undertaking other majors may seek permission to take the minor by
contacting Josef Rauschecker, the Director of the
Program.
To complete the minor, you must earn a
minimum of 18 credits distributed as follows:
6 credits for the two core Cognitive
Science courses:
Introduction to
Cognitive Science (ICOS-201, fall)
Research Modules in Cognitive Science
(ICOS-202, spring)
12 credits consisting of four
designated distribution courses in at least two of the participating
disciplines outside of your major (
see list of participating departments and restrictions on Courses Designated as Fulfilling the Distribution Requirement below).
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The Distribution Requirement
The purpose of the distribution requirement is to give the student a broad background in Cognitive Science. This is why students are required to take at least one designated course in each of two departments outside of their major field (for list of participating departments see above).
For purposes of this distribution requirement, Cognitive Science (ICOS) counts as a department. Therefore, if the student takes a course offered (or cross listed) by Cognitive Science--other than the two core required courses (ICOS 201 and 202)--this counts as one of the two departments outside the student's major. In addition, it is possible for a course taken in the student's major department to count toward fulfilling the Cognitive Science minor if, and only if (1) that course is not counting toward the major for that student, and (2) the student has taken at least one designated course in two different departments other than the major.
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The Cognitive Science Senior Thesis
Option (ICOS 391, 392)
Students who are not doing a thesis
for their major are encouraged to exercise the Cognitive Science Senior
Thesis option. They should enroll for the Senior Thesis in Cognitive Science
(ICOS-391,392), for a minimum of four credits distributed across the two
semesters. The number of credits and their distribution across semesters
must be approved by the thesis mentor. Regardless of the number of
credits, the senior thesis substitutes for one of the four distribution
courses. Thus, students undertaking a thesis in Cognitive Science need
take only 3, instead of 4, designated distribution courses.
A list of Faculty in
Cognitive Science, including the areas in which they are prepared to
mentor theses, is available on the Cognitive Science website. Students are
also encouraged to seek suggestions from the
Director. Students considering
the thesis option (ICOS-391, 392) should identify a senior thesis mentor
as early as possible, preferably no later than the early spring of the
junior year, and they should plan to work on the thesis throughout the
senior year.
Theses in some disciplines might require
preparatory work during the junior year, which can be started within the
context of an ICOS tutorial (ICOS
301, 302). All students undertaking ICOS 391-392 should notify the
Director at the beginning of the senior year, at the latest. The student
must submit an abstract outlining the proposed thesis to the Director no
later than October 15 of the senior year. This abstract must be signed by
the faculty mentor, thereby indicating the mentor's approval of the
abstract, and the mentor's willingness to advise and grade the thesis. The
deadline for submitting the final draft of the thesis to the mentor is the
final day of classes in the spring semester. Upon completion of the thesis, the student must submit the thesis
title, an abstract outlining the completed work, and an electronic version
of the thesis to the Director. Usually, the format of the thesis
(e.g., the form for references) will be dictated by the customs of the
discipline in which the thesis mentor works. Sample completed theses may be
accessed from our alumni page, thanks to their
authors who have agreed to this posting. Information about ongoing
theses may be reached from our undergraduates
page.
Some students (e.g., Biology majors)
will be undertaking a thesis to fulfill the requirements of their major.
The thesis information in the paragraphs above does not apply to
them. Such students are encouraged, but not required, to conduct the
thesis for their major in an area related to cognitive science. However,
they should not enroll for any thesis credits other than those required
for the major. Students completing a thesis in their major should take a
total of four distribution courses approved for the ICOS minor.
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Courses Designated as Fulfilling the
Distribution Requirement
Biology Cognitive
Science Computer Science
Linguistics
Mathematics Philosophy Physics Psychology
NOTES: This list is updated at least once
each semester and the latest version may be found below. Links to the
Schedule of Classes for each department for the coming semester are
included as well, so it is easy to determine which of these designated
courses are being offered. Links from the Schedule of Classes will
lead to course descriptions and syllabi. Students should keep in mind that most of these
courses have prerequisites. Students may petition the Director to gain
credit toward the minor for courses not listed here.
Biology
Any courses at the 100 level or above are acceptable, for exceptions see below.
BIOL- 103/104: Introductory Biology (Two-semester sequence counts as one distributional course toward the minor for non-biology majors)
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Cognitive Science
All ICOS courses.
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Computer Science
Any courses at the 100 level or above are acceptable.
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Linguistics
Any courses at the 100 level or above are acceptable, for exceptions see below.
LING-001: Introduction to Language (But only if you also take a higher level linguistics--LING--course)
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Mathematics
Any courses at the 200 level or above are acceptable, with the
following being recommended. Consult with Professor
Kainen for advice on choosing
courses to fit your background and goals.
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Philosophy
Any courses at the 100 level or above are acceptable.
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Physics
Any courses at the 100 level or above are acceptable.
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Psychology
Any courses at the 100 level or above are acceptable, for exceptions see below.
PSYC-002: Research Methods and Statistics
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