Arts Academic Plans

Cognitive Science is the interdisciplinary study of mind and intelligence, embracing psychology, philosophy, linguistics, neuroscience, anthropology, computer science, and engineering. The study of the mind is exciting for theoretical reasons, since the attempt to investigate the nature of thinking is as challenging as anything attempted by science.

It is also exciting for practical reasons, since knowing how the mind works is important for improving education, treating mental illness, improving design of computers and other artifacts, and developing expert systems. The study of the mind is inherently interdisciplinary, requiring the diverse insights and methodologies of psychologists, philosophers, computer scientists, linguists, neuroscientists, anthropologists, and other thinkers. The University of Waterloo Cognitive Science Option invites students to join these investigations. 

Admission

Applications may be submitted to the Director at any time, and should include a transcript of grades and a brief (one page) statement of the student's interest in cognitive science. Students applying should have at least a 70% average, and should have taken at least one of the required courses. 

Requirements 

The Cognitive Science Option gives three- and four-year general and honours students in traditional disciplines an opportunity to pursue the interdisciplinary study of mind and intelligence. To receive the Cognitive Science Option designation on the graduation diploma, students must successfully complete 3.5 academic course units (seven courses), with a minimum cumulative average of 70%, including:

1. Required courses (four):
   • PHIL/PSYCH 256 Introduction to Cognitive Science
   • three of
     • PHIL/PSYCH 447 Seminar in Cognitive Science (strongly recommended)
     • one of
       PSYCH 207 Cognitive Processes
       PSYCH 261 Physiological Psychology
     • one of
       ENGL 306A Introduction to Linguistics
       FR 303 Introduction to Linguistics
     • one of
       CS 486 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
       ECE 457 Applied Artificial Intelligence
       SYDE 422 Machine Intelligence
       SYDE 556 Simulating Neurobiological Systems
2. Elective courses (three):
   • three electives to be chosen, with no more than two in the same discipline, from
     ANTH 260 Human Evolution
     CS 349 User Interfaces
     COGSCI 600 Seminar in Cognitive Science
     ECE 486 Robot Dynamics and Control
     ENGL 309A Rhetoric: Principles and Practice 1
     KIN 356 Information Processing in Human Perceptual Motor Performance
     PHIL 255 Philosophy of Mind
     PHIL 363 Philosophy of Language
     PSYCH 304 Thinking and Deciding
     PSYCH 306 Perception
     PSYCH 307 Human Neuropsychology
     PSYCH 314 Cognitive Development
     SYDE 348 User Centred Design Methods
     SYDE 543 Cognitive Ergonomics
     SYDE 558 Fuzzy Logic and Neural Networks
     Relevant advanced seminars and topics courses in the participating departments, approved by the Director of the Cognitive Science Advisory Board or the Philosophy Department Undergraduate Officer.

Notes:

1. Course selection must be approved by the Director of the Cognitive Science Option or by the Philosophy Department Undergraduate Officer.
2. If students have taken more than the minimum number of required courses, the extras may in some cases be counted as electives.

Further Information

For further information, please go to the Cognitive Science website: www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/InterDis/cogsci/index.htm.