Core Courses
The two Core Courses are intended to form a year-long experiential learning sequence and are ideally taken consecutively within the same academic year. ICOS 2201 is offered in the fall, followed by ICOS 2950 in the spring. However, exceptions can be made if scheduling concerns arise. To fulfill the Core Course requirement, both courses must be completed.
ICOS 2201: Introduction to Cognitive Science (3 credits)
Cognitive science is the study of the mind, i.e., of how knowledge is acquired and used. Cognitive scientists use theories and methods drawn from many disciplines, including cognitive psychology, neuroscience, philosophy of mind, linguistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, physics, mathematics, biology, and anthropology. They ask questions such as:
• How do people acquire language?
• What are the neural bases of perceiving, learning and remembering?
• What is the nature of knowledge?
• Can machines think?
• How do experts differ from novices?
• Are there innate ideas?
• How did human intelligence evolve?
This lecture- and discussion-driven course introduces students to the conceptual frameworks and methods used in the various disciplines that constitute cognitive science. The course is team-taught by professors from the three university campuses. This course is required for cognitive science minors, but open to all students.
No prerequisites. Fall. Tuesdays 3:30-6:00 p.m.
ICOS 2950: Research Modules in Cognitive Science (3 credits)
This experiential learning course introduces students to some of the research strategies in the different disciplines of cognitive science, through assisting faculty research programs at Georgetown in the form of short modules. Main Campus and Medical Center faculty offer research modules, from which students select three. In each module, students learn about and become engaged in some of the current research of the faculty member. A paper or some targeted write-up of data collection, coding, and/or analysis is normally required to complete each module. This course is required for cognitive science minors, but open to all students.
Prerequisite: ICOS 2201. Spring. Tuesdays 3:30-6:00 p.m.
The Distribution Requirement (12 credits)
The purpose of the Distribution Requirement is to give students a broad background in Cognitive Science, requiring CogSci Minors to take at least one designated course in at least two departments outside their major field (for a list of participating departments, see above). For example, if you are a Psychology major, your Distribution Requirement fulfillment should include courses from at least two departments beyond Psychology, such as Physics and Linguistics, or Neuroscience and Computer Science, and so on. To meet the Distribution Requirement, courses must substantively participate in cognitive science inquiry.
Students pursuing the Cognitive Science minor may select courses from a wide range of departments, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field. Eligible courses include any Biology, Computer Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, Physics, or Psychology courses at the 1000 level or above (with Mathematics courses beginning at the 2000 level or above). Examples include but are not limited to BIOL 1025: The Biology of How We Think, COSC 1010: Intro to Computer Science: Python, LING 1000: Intro to Language, PSYC 2300: Cognition: Information in the Brain, and PHYL 1903: Intro to Philosophy of Thought.
Owing to term-to-term changes in course offerings, we do not provide a comprehensive list of approved courses; please review the current course offerings or schedule of classes.
Note that the Director is the final arbiter of which courses satisfy the requirement, and he or she must approve courses as such.
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:
- That course is not counting toward the major for that student, and
- The student has taken at least one designated course in two different departments other than their major.
Due to overlap with the core curriculum, students can only allow one course to double-count for the core and as an elective for the minor. All elective courses must be approved by the Director.
Cognitive Science (ICOS) counts as a department. Therefore, if the student takes a course offered (or cross-listed) by Cognitive Science (see Undergraduate Research for additional ICOS offerings, which pertain to conducting independent research projects or senior theses), 4 credits in ICOS beyond the Core Courses may count as one of the two departments outside the student’s major.