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
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 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.
Graduate-Level Cognitive Science Courses
Some graduate-level courses that might be of interest to our students are offered through the neuroscience department:
- NSCI 6005: Functional Neuroimaging and Cognition
- NSCI 6003: Functional MRI: Theory and Practice
- NSCI 6004: Brain and Language