Cognitive Science (B.S.)

Cognitive science is the study of complex information processing in humans and machines and includes the multidisciplinary study of biological and artificial systems. The field of cognitive science draws from diverse approaches to understanding these processes, including research from experimental psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, computer science, mathematics, and engineering. Cognitive scientists believe that the design of artificially intelligent computer systems can benefit from a better understanding of human psychology and neuroscience. Likewise, our understanding of human thought and behavior can be informed by a better understanding of work in the area of artificial intelligence, computer science, and mathematical modeling. In addition to providing a sound preparation for graduate work in Cognitive Science and related areas, the Cognitive Science major is an ideal choice for students pursuing careers that combine interests in neuroscience, cognition, mathematics, and computer science. There are exciting career prospects in both industry and academics. For example, the Human Computer Interaction specialization area provides students with a unique set of skills in both software engineering and behavioral science research methods that can prepare students for careers involving the evaluation and design of user-friendly software interfaces. The Intelligent Systems specialization area provides students with a unique background in mathematical modeling, computer programming, psychology, and neuroscience which can prepare students for careers associated with the development and implementation of intelligent systems (e.g., web search engine design, speech recognition technology, computer vision, and computer games).

Students can complete Core Curriculum and Cognitive Science major requirements in a minimum of 78 semester credit hours, leaving 42 elective hours.

Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science
Degree Requirements (120 hours)

I. Core Curriculum Requirements¹: 42 hours
    A. Communication (6 hours)
        3 hours Communication (RHET 1302)
        3 hours Communication Elective (CGS 3340 or PSY 3393)²
    B. Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 hours)
        6 hours Government (GOVT 2301 and 2302)
        6 hours American History
        3 hours Social and Behavioral Science Elective (PSY 2301)²
    C. Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hours)
        3 hours Fine Arts (ARTS 1301)
        3 hours Humanities (HUMA 1301)
    D. Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (6 hours)
        6 hours Calculus (MATH 2417 and 2419)³
    E. Science (9 hours)
        6 hours Science (NSC 3361 and CGS 2301)²
        3 hours Science Electives (including at least one course with a substantial laboratory
        component)

¹ Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from accredited institutions of higher education. The courses listed in parentheses are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at U.T. Dallas.

II. Major Requirements: 54 hours (36 hours beyond Core Curriculum)
    Major Preparatory Courses: 21 hours
        All of the following:
            CGS 2301 Cognitive Science²
            CS 1337 Computer Science I
            MATH 2417 Calculus I ³
            MATH 2418 Linear Algebra
            MATH 2419 Calculus II ³
            PSY 2301 Introduction to Psychology ²
    Major Core Courses: 21 hours
        All of the following:
            CGS 3325 Historical Perspectives: Mind and Machines Since 1600
            CGS 3342 Quantitative Models in Cognition
            CGS 3361 Cognitive Psychology
            CGS 4312 Computational Models of Language Understanding
                or CS 4365 Artificial Intelligence
            CGS 4361 Behavioral Neuroscience²
            PSY 3392 Research Design and Analysis
            CGS 3340 Empirical Methods in Cognitive Science²
                or PSY 3393 Experimental Projects in Psychology²
        Major Related Electives (12 hours)
            Students majoring in Cognitive Science must complete 12 additional hours of elective
            Cognitive Science coursework associated with a particular specialization area. The
            specialization areas listed in the Specializations section serve as examples of possible
            concentrations. Other specialization areas are permissible with the approval of the
            Program Head of the Cognitive Science program.

² A required Major course that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement.
³ Six hours of Calculus are counted to fulfill the Mathematics Core Requirement.

III. Elective Requirements: 42 hours
    Advanced Electives:
        Six hours of upper-division courses which do not have a CGS prefix.
    Free Electives (36 hours)
        Students are encouraged to explore areas of concentration in Cognitive Science as well as
        explore interests outside the field. Be aware that at least 51 hours of upper division credit
        hours are required for graduation.

Specialization Areas

Human Computer Interaction

Students specializing in the Human Computer Interaction area obtain skills in designing behavioral and computer software engineering. This area provides excellent preparation for careers associated with the design, software implementation, and evaluation of user-friendly software interfaces. Students electing this option should take CS 2336 Computer Science II, CS 2305 Discrete Mathematics for Computing I, and CS 3305 Discrete Mathematics for Computing II during their freshmen and sophomore years. Students should in addition take at least two of the following courses:

CGS 4352 Human Computer Interactions I
CGS 4353 Human Computer Interactions II
CGS 4355 Human Computer Interactions Lab
and the course:
CS 3354 Software Engineering.

Intelligent Systems

Students specializing in the Intelligent Systems area obtain skills in computer programming, mathematical modeling, and intelligent system design and evaluation. This area provides excellent preparation for careers associated with the design, software implementation, and evaluation of intelligent systems. Intelligent systems arise in such diverse areas as the development of web-based intelligent search engines, speech recognition, robotics, pattern recognition, and computer vision. Students electing this option should take the following courses during their freshmen and sophomore years:

CS 2336 Computer Science II
CS 2305 Discrete Mathematics for Computing I
CS 3305 Discrete Mathematics for Computing II
MATH 2418 Linear Algebra
MATH 2419 Calculus II
MATH 2421 Multivariable Calculus with Applications

Students electing this option should also take CS 4365 Artificial Intelligence to fulfill the Cognitive Science Core requirements, and the following upper division courses:

STAT 4351 Probability
CGS 4313 Neural Net Mathematics
CGS 4314 Intelligent Systems Analysis
CGS 4315 Intelligent Systems Design
CS 3345 Algorithm Analysis and Data Structures

Cognition and Neuroscience

The Cognition and Neuroscience specialization provides a multidisciplinary program for preparing students to pursue graduate work in the areas of cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Students electing this option should take at least two neuroscience courses from the following list:

NSC 4352 Cellular Neuroscience
NSC 4353 Neuroscience Laboratory Methods
CGS 4354 Integrative Neuroscience
NSC 4355 Advanced Neuroscience Laboratory
NSC 4363 Neuropharmacology
NSC 4366 Neuroanatomy
NSC 4367 Developmental Neurobiology
NSC 4368 Computational Neuroscience

and at least two of the following psychology courses:

PSY 3362 Cognitive Development
PSY 4336 Psychology of Language
PSY 4357 Brain and Memory
PSY 4360 Learning
PSY 4362 Perception
PSY 4364 Attention and Memory
PSY 4374 Judgment and Decision Making

Language and Speech

The Language and Speech specialization provides a multidisciplinary program for preparing students to pursue graduate work in areas such as language and communications disorders. Students electing this option should select at least four courses from the following list:

LIT 3330 Linguistics
PSY 4336 Psychology of Language
SPAU 3303 Normal Language Development
SPAU 3304 Communication Sciences
SPAU 3343 Phonetics
SPAU 3344 Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
SPAU 3345 Neural Basis of Communication

Additional Advanced Major Related CGS Electives

The following advanced electives are associated with all specialization areas. Approval from a Cognitive Science Faculty Advisor is required in order to take these electives.

CGS 4390 Special Topics in Cognitive Science
CGS 4394 Internship in Cognitive Science
CGS 4397 Honors Thesis
CGS 4V98 Directed Research
CGS 4V99 Individual Study

Minor in Cognitive Science

Students who are not majoring in Cognitive Science may minor in Cognitive Science by completing 18 semester credit hours. At least 12 of the 18 semester credit hours required by the minor in Cognitive Science must be upper-division courses. In addition, 9 of the 18 semester credit hours required for the minor in Cognitive Science must have a Cognitive Science (CGS) prefix and be upper-division courses. No credit hours may be used to satisfy both major and minor requirements; however, free elective hours or major preparatory classes may be used to satisfy the minor. At least one-third of the hours for a minor must be taken at U.T. Dallas. The following two specialization areas provide examples of possible course sequences which satisfy the requirements of the minor in Cognitive Science.

Intelligent Systems Specialization Area

Students with an Electrical Engineering or Mathematics background who have taken linear algebra and multivariable calculus and are interested in careers associated with the design, software implementation, and testing of intelligent systems should take STAT 4351 Probability or CGS 4313 Neural Net Mathematics, CGS 3342 Quantitative Methods in Cognition, CGS 4314 Intelligent Systems Analysis, and CGS 4315 Intelligent Systems Design.

Human Computer Interactions Specialization Area

Students with a Computer Science background who have taken CS 3354 Software Engineering and who are interested in careers associated with the design, software implementation, and testing of user-friendly computer interfaces should take the course sequence CGS 3361 Cognitive Psychology; take two of the following courses: CGS 4352 Human Computer Interactions Interactions I, CGS 4353 Human Computer Interactions II, and CGS 4355 Human Computer Interactions Lab; and one of the following courses: CGS 4362 Perception, and CGS 4364 Attention and Memory, and PSY 4374 Judgment and Decision Making.

Fast Track Baccalaureate/Master’s Degrees

U.T. Dallas undergraduate students with strong academic records who intend to pursue a master's degree in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience at UTD may consider an accelerated undergraduate-graduate plan of study. When accepted into the program, students may take up to 12 hours of graduate courses that may be used to complete the bachelor's degree and also to satisfy requirements for the Master's degree. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and earn grades of B or better in the graduate courses taken. The Fast Track makes it possible for students to complete upper-division undergraduate education and graduate training in three years. To qualify for application, students must have completed at least 72 semester credit hours toward their bachelor degree, including at least 18 semester credit hours in major core courses at UTD. Apply to the Fast Track program through the Cognitive Science Program Office. Students should consult with a graduate advisor regarding admissions criteria and plans of study.

The University of Texas at Dallas 2004-2006 Undergraduate Catalog
Volume 30, Number 1
Copyright © The University of Texas at Dallas

This catalog is a general information publication only. It is not intended to nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students. The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any applicant, student or faculty member and The University of Texas at Dallas or The University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Dallas reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time, to change fees or tuition, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduation procedures, and any other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine and will apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled.

Statement on Equal Educational Opportunity
The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, and veteran status. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is also prohibited pursuant to University policy.