Cognitive Science
Source: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs/cognitive-science-ab-scb Parent: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs
The field of Cognitive Science uses scientific methods of experimentation, computational modeling, and brain imaging to study mental abilities such as perception, action, memory, cognition, speech, and language, as well as the development and evolution of those processes.
Degree Type
A.B., Sc.B.
department
Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences
CIP Code
30.2501ℹ
The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) was developed by the U.S. Department of Education to categorize educational programs in the U.S. for a variety of reporting purposes. Each program at Brown is assigned a CIP code that best matches its academic curriculum.
Current STEM Eligible CIP Codes
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Cognitive Science
The field of Cognitive Science uses scientific methods of experimentation, computational modeling, and brain imaging to study mental abilities such as perception, action, memory, cognition, speech, and language, as well as the development and evolution of those processes.
Students must become knowledgeable in four areas of emphasis: perception, cognition, language, and computational methods, as well as a set of methods relevant to Cognitive Science research. Students then create their own focus area of study, potentially integrating coursework from the Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences department with a diverse subset of fields including Computer Science, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Anthropology, Applied Math and Education. The A.B. program is primarily for students interested in studying human mental processes and acquiring a research orientation to the study of the mind. The Sc.B. program is designed for students who wish to develop a stronger background in Cognitive Science and requires students to engage in a specific research project in the focus area of their choosing. We recommend that prospective concentrators register for one of the gateway courses and at least one other core course in their first or second year.
Student Goals
Students in this concentration will:
- Understand a range of mental abilities and their underlying bases in the brain
- Develop a flexible interdisciplinary approach to understanding the mind.
- Gain fluency in statistical analysis and computation
- Learn and apply empirical methods relevant to the field
- Complete a capstone project
Department Undergraduate Group (DUG)
Student Leaders: Julia Ceccarelli, Anel Zhussubali, Phoebe Hong, Tiago Johnson
Graduating Class
| Class Year | Total Students | Honors Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 | 2 |
| 2022 | 7 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 | 8 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 |
Alumni with degrees in Cognitive Science have pursued careers in research, software engineering, educational technology, epidemiology and public health, medicine, management consulting, and the law.
What are Cognitive Science concentrators doing…
The Director of Undergraduate Studies is typically the first point of contact for prospective concentrators. Once students have declared, they may be assigned a specific concentration advisor from within the department or program.