Cognitive Science

Return to: College of Arts & Sciences: Departments/Programs

Requirements for Major

Prerequisites: Prospective majors must have completed and obtained grades of C+ or better in two designated Cognitive Science courses. These courses must come from two different core areas: Cognitive Psychology, Computer Science, Linguistics, Neuroscience, and Philosophy. Refer to the program website for a list of approved courses.

Completion requirements: Thirty credits are required for the major in Cognitive Science. Majors must have a cumulative GPA of 2.000 or better for all Cognitive Science courses completed at the University. A minimum grade of C is required for all courses to be applied to the major.

Required courses: MATH 1220, MATH 1310 or higher, or APMA 1090 or higher can fulfill the Calculus requirement; at least one Cognitive Science approved course in each of the five core areas; at least two Cognitive Science approved courses in one concentration area at the 4000 level or above(for Psychology and Neuroscience and (3000 level or above (for Computer Science, Linguistics, and Philosophy). Directed readings, research, and internship courses may not be taken for major credit. Courses counted in the 30 credits may not be taken on a credit/no credit basis.

Courses Approved for Major

Courses within relevant departments are designated as being Cognitive Science courses. Courses from other departments, such as Mathematics or Systems Engineering, may be designated as Cognitive Science courses if their content is judged to be appropriate by the undergraduate committee that oversees the curriculum. The following is a list of courses offered on a regular basis and included in the Cognitive Science Approved Courses in previous semesters. There are also numerous Cognitive Science courses that are offered more infrequently; thus, the following list is not exhaustive. Further restrictions for applying individual courses to major requirements may exist.

Cognitive Psychology

PSYC 2005 - Research Methods and Data Analysis I Credits: 3
PSYC 2100 - Introduction to Learning Credits: 3
PSYC 2150 - Introduction to Cognition Credits: 3
PSYC 2300 - Introduction to Perception Credits: 3
PSYC 2500 - Topics in Psychology Credits: 3
Psychology of Misinformation
PSYC 3006 - Research Methods and Data Analysis II Credits: 4
PSYC 3100 - Learning and the Neuroscience of Behavior Credits: 3
PSYC 3160 - Cognitive Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 3240 - Animal Minds Credits: 3
PSYC 3310 - RM: R Applications in Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 3490 - Infant Development Credits: 3
PSYC 3500 - Special Topics in Psychology Credits: 3
Hidden Figures: Brain Science Through Diversity
PSYC 4100 - Neuroscience of Learning, Emotions and Motivation of Functional Behavior Credits: 3
PSYC 4110 - Psycholinguistics Credits: 3
PSYC 4120 - Psychology of Reading Credits: 3
PSYC 4155 - Autism: From Neurons to Neighborhoods Credits: 3
PSYC 4215 - RM: Computational Methods in Psychology and Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 4250 - Brain Systems Involved in Memory Credits: 3
PSYC 4280 - Neural Basis of Empathy Credits: 3
PSYC 4290 - Memory Distortions Credits: 3
PSYC 4310 - Cognitive Aging Credits: 3
PSYC 4410 - RM: Practical Longitudinal Sustainability Studies Credits: 3
PSYC 4420 - RM: Brain Mapping with MRI Credits: 3
PSYC 4500 - Special Topics in Psychology Credits: 3
Cognitive Aging

Brain Mapping with MRI

Cognitive Impairment and Interventions in Aging

Computational Methods in Psychology & Neuroscience

Hi-Level Cognition

Myths and Controversies

Neuroscience of Well Being

Origins of the Human Mind

Psychology of Emotion

Psychology of Misinformation
PSYC 4606 - Cognitive Biases in Anxiety and Related Disorders Credits: 3
PSYC 4640 - Psychology of Emotions Credits: 3
PSYC 4755 - Social Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 5160 - Emotion and Cognition Credits: 3

PSYC 5270 - RM: Computational Neuroscience Credits: 3

PSYC 5323 – R in Psychology Credits: 3

PSYC 5326 – Neuroscience of Social Relationships Credits: 3

PSYC 5332 - Quantified Cognition Credits: 3

PSYC 5500 - Current Topics in Psychology Credits: 3
- Applications of Brain Mapping with MRI
- Introduction to Network Analysis
- Electroencephalography
- RM Advanced Multi-Regress Models & Data Visualization
PSYC 5705 - Introduction to Bayesian Methods Credits: 3

PSYC 5710 - Machine Learning and Data Mining Credits: 3
EDHS 4300 - Psycholinguistics & Communication Credits: 3
EDLF 5040 - Education and Neuroscience Credits: 3

EDLF 5260 - Cognitive Psychology and Education Credits: 3

EDLF 5270 - Adult Development and Aging Credits: 3

Computer Science

Most CS courses are acceptable for the COGS major EXCEPT CS 1010, CS 1020, and CS 1501 Special Topics courses. CS 1501 courses are CR/NC grading which within the College of Arts and Sciences means they cannot be used to fulfill major credit hours. CS 3501 and 4501 Special Topics courses should only be taken for 3 credit hours if majors hope to fulfill one or both of the COGS concentration with these classes. ECE 2066 counts for credit but does not fill the CS area requirement. The list below is not comprehensive but does include courses typically taken by majors.

CS 1110 - Introduction to Programming Credits: 3
CS 1111 - Introduction to Programming Credits: 3
CS 1112 - Introduction to Programming Credits: 3
CS 1113 - Introduction to Programming Credits: 3
CS 2100 - Data Structures and Algorithms 1 Credits: 4
CS 2120 - Discrete Mathematics and Theory 1 Credits: 3
CS 2130 - Computer Systems and Organization 1 Credits: 4
CS 3100 - Data Structures and Algorithms 2 Credits: 3
CS 3120 - Discrete Mathematics and Theory 2 Credits: 3
CS 3130 - Computer Systems and Organization 2 Credits: 4
CS 3140 - Software Development Essentials Credits: 3
CS 3205 - HCI in Software Development Credits: 3
CS 3240 - Advanced Software Development Techniques Credits: 3
CS 3250 - Software Testing Credits: 3
CS 3501 - Special Topics in Computer Science Credits: 1 to 3
CS 3710 - Introduction to Cybersecurity Credits: 3
CS 4240 - Principles of Software Design Credits: 3
CS 4260 - Internet Scale Applications Credits: 3
CS 4330 - Advanced Computer Architecture Credits: 3
CS 4414 - Operating Systems Credits: 3
CS 4434 - Dependable Computing Systems Credits: 3
CS 4444 - Introduction to Parallel Computing Credits: 3
CS 4457 - Computer Networks Credits: 3
CS 4458 - Internet Engineering Credits: 3
CS 4501 - Special Topics in Computer Science Credits: 1 to 3
CS 4610 - Programming Languages Credits: 3
PSYC 4215 - RM: Computational Methods in Psychology and Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 5270 - RM: Computational Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 5332 - Quantified Cognition Credits: 3
PSYC 5500 - Current Topics in Psychology
Introduction to Network Analysis
PSYC 5710 - Machine Learning and Data Mining Credits: 3

Linguistics

ANTH 2400 - Language and Culture Credits: 3
ANTH 2410 - Sociolinguistics Credits: 3
ANTH 2415 - Language in Human Evolution Credits: 3
ANTH 2430 - Languages of the World Credits: 3
ANTH 2541 - Topics in Linguistics Credits: 3
French Creole Language Structures
Language Death and Revitalization
Technology, Language, and Society
ANTH 3450 - Native American Languages Credits: 3
ANTH 3455 - African Languages Credits: 3
ANTH 3480 - Language and Prehistory Credits: 3
ANTH 3490 - Language and Thought Credits: 3
ANTH 3541 - Topics in Linguistics Credits: 3
Language and Music
Language Change
ANTH 4420 - Theories of Language Credits: 3
ANTH 5401 - Linguistic Field Methods Credits: 3
ANTH 5410 - Phonology Credits: 3
ANTH 5425 - Language Contact Credits: 3
ANTH 5440 - Morphology Credits: 3
ANTH 5470 - Language and Identity Credits: 3
ANTH 5480 - Literacy and Orality Credits: 3
ANTH 5541 - Topics in Linguistics
Linguistic Typology
Theory & Practice of Language Documentation
ASL 3450 - Comparative Linguistics: ASL and English Credits: 3
CLAS 3300 - Introduction to Indo-european Linguistics Credits: 3
CLAS 3350 - Language and Literature of the Early Celts Credits: 3
EDHS 4030 - Speech and Hearing Science Credits: 3
EDHS 4300 - Psycholinguistics & Communication Credits: 3
EDHS 4310 - Exploring Linguistic Diversity Credits: 3
FREN 3030 - Phonetics Credits: 3
LING 3400 - Structure of English Credits: 3
LING 4650 - Linguistic Typology Credits: 3
LNGS 2240 - Southern American English Credits: 3
LNGS 3250 - Introduction to Linguistic Theory and Analysis Credits: 3
LINGS 5000 - Linguistic Principles in Language Pedagogy Credits: 3
PSYC 4110 - Psycholinguistics Credits: 3
PSYC 4120 - Psychology of Reading Credits: 3
RUSS 5030 - Advanced Russian Grammar: Phonology and Morphology Credits: 3
RUSS 5032 - Advanced Russian Grammar: Syntax Credits: 3
SPAN 3000 - Phonetics Credits: 3
SPAN 3200 - Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics Credits: 3
SPAN 4200 - History of the Language Credits: 3
SPAN 4202 - Hispanic Sociolinguistics Credits: 3
SPAN 4203 - Structure of Spanish Credits: 3
SPAN 4210 - History of the Spanish Language II Credits: 3
SPAN 4530 - Special Topics Seminar: Language Credits: 3
Second Language Acquisition
Spanish vis-a-vis Other Romance Languages

Neuroscience

BIOL 3050 - Introduction to Neurobiology Credits: 3
BIOL 3250 - Introduction to Animal Behavior Credits: 3
BIOL 4011 - Homeostasis: The Wisdom of the Body Credits: 3
BIOL 4045 - Neurodegenerative Diseases Credits: 3
BIOL 4190 - Biological Clocks Credits: 3
BIOL 4270 - Animal Behavior Laboratory Credits: 3
BIOL 4280 - The Genetic Basis of Behavior Credits: 3
BIOL 4310 - Sensory Neurobiology Credits: 3
BIOL 4330 - Wiring the Brain Credits: 3
BME 3636 - Neural Network Models of Cognition and Brain Computation Credits: 3
EDLF 5040 - Education and Neuroscience Credits: 3
NESC 4245 - Neuroscience through the Nobels Credits: 3
NESC 4265 - Developmental Neurobiology Credits: 3
PSYC 2200 - A Survey of the Neural Basis of Behavior Credits: 3
PSYC 3100 - Learning and the Neuroscience of Behavior Credits: 3
PSYC 3160 - Cognitive Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 3200 - Fundamentals of Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 3210 - RM: Psychobiology Laboratory Credits: 3
PSYC 3235 - Introduction to Epigenetics Credits: 3
PSYC 3240 - Animal Minds Credits: 3
PSYC 3260 - Hidden Figures: Brain Science Through Diversity Credits: 3
PSYC 4100 - Neuroscience of Learning, Emotions and Motivation of Functional Behavior Credits: 3
PSYC 4155 - Autism: From Neurons to Neighborhoods Credits: 3
PSYC 4200 - Neural Mechanisms of Behavior Credits: 3
PSYC 4215 - RM: Computational Methods in Psychology and Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 4250 - Brain Systems Involved in Memory Credits: 3
PSYC 4280 - Neural Basis of Empathy Credits: 3
PSYC 4420 - RM: Brain Mapping with MRI Credits: 3
PSYC 4260 - RM: Genetic and Epigenetic Research in Behavior Credits: 3
PSYC 4500 - Special Topics in Psychology Credits: 3
Brain Mapping with MRI

Computational Methods in Psychology & Neuroscience

Neuroscience of Well Being

Psychology of Emotion
PSYC 4755 - Social Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 5265 - Functional Neuroanatomy Credits: 3
PSYC 5270 - RM: Computational Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 5280 - Neuropsychopharmacology Credits: 3
PSYC 5332 - Quantified Cognition Credits: 3
PSYC 5550 - Current Topics in Psychology Credits: 3
Applications of Brain Mapping with MRI
Introduction to Network Analysis
Electroencephalography

Philosophy

ANTH 2589 - Topics in Archaeology Credits: 3
Past, Present, and Future of Humankind
PHIL 1510 - Introductory Philosophy Seminars Credits: 3
Buddhism and the Self

Ethics of Computing

Ethics in the Digital Age

Fake News and Philosophy

Free Will and Moral Responsibility

How to Think About Weird Things

Philosophy of Mental Health

Science Fiction and Philosophy

Social Media Ethics

Technology Risks, Responsibility, and Agency

What is Art?
PHIL 2330 - Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence Credits: 3
PHIL 2420 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic Credits: 3
PHIL 2500 - Survey on a Philosophical Topic Credits: 3
Consciousness

Minds and Machines

Past, Present, and Future of Humankind

Philosophy of Health and Healthcare

Philosophy of Language

Philosophy of Moral Responsibility

Philosophy of Race

Slurs, Bad Words, and Unruly Language
PHIL 2640 - Rational Choice and Happiness Credits: 3
PHIL 2650 - Free Will and Responsibility Credits: 3
PHIL 2652 - Animal Minds and Animal Ethics Credits: 3
PHIL 2820 - Philosophy of Health and Health Care Credits: 3
PHIL 3010 - Darwin and Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 3320 - Epistemology Credits: 3
PHIL 3330 - Philosophy of Mind Credits: 3
PHIL 3400 - Introduction to Non-Classical Logic Credits: 3
PHIL 3500 - Seminar in Philosophy Credits: 3
Animals and Ethics

Consciousness

Metaphilosophy

Philosophy of Economics

Philosophy of Memory

Philosophy of Mental Health
PHIL 3620 - Science Fiction & Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 5420 - Symbolic Logic (Advanced) Credits: 3

Research and DMP courses

COGS 4970 - Distinguished Major Thesis Credits: 3
COGS 4980 - Distinguished Major Thesis Credits: 3
COGS 3960 - Cognitive Science Research Credits: 2 to 3

Distinguished Majors Program in Cognitive Science

General Information: Outstanding Cognitive Science majors who have completed 18 credits toward their major and who have a cumulative GPA of 3.400 or better may apply by the third semester before graduating to the Distinguished Majors Program. Students who are accepted will complete a thesis based on two semesters of empirical or theoretical research. Upon successful completion of the program, students will likely be recommended for a baccalaureate award of Distinction, High Distinction or Highest Distinction.

Requirements: Students applying to the Distinguished Majors Program must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.400 and have completed 18 credits towards their Cognitive Science major by the end of the semester in which they apply. In addition, students must register for two semesters of supervised research (COGS 4970 and COGS 4980). Students must complete a thesis based on their independent research.

Additional Information

For more information, contact the Program Coordinator, P.O. Box 400400, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4400; (434) 982-3019; www.virginia.edu/cognitivescience.