School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Cognitive Science (BS)
Cognitive Science is the study of complex information processing in humans and machines and includes the multidisciplinary study of biological and artificial systems. Important components of cognitive science include areas of research such as: cognitive-neuroscience, brain-imaging studies of perceptual and cognitive processing, Human-Computer-Interactions (HCI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, computational neuroscience, and mathematical psychology. The field of cognitive science draws from diverse approaches to understanding complex information processing systems, including research from experimental psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, computer science, mathematics, and engineering.
The Cognitive Science program in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at UT Dallas consists of three concentration areas: (1) Psychology/HCI, (2) Neuroscience, and (3) AI/Computational Modeling.
Cognitive Science Majors select the majority of their upper-division coursework from 2 of these 3 concentration areas in order to generate multidisciplinary areas of focus. 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 the Cognitive Science major.
Cognitive-Neuroscience Careers. Students whose focus area is cognitive-neuroscience will be well prepared for the pursuit of graduate degrees and careers associated with: medicine, clinical neuropsychology, brain-imaging technology, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, and evaluation of bionic/prosthetic technology (e.g., cochlear implants and artificial limbs). Students interested in Cognitive-Neuroscience career opportunities typically choose their coursework from the specialization areas of both Psychology/HCI and Neuroscience.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Careers. The areas of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are concerned with the problem of the design and evaluation of artificially intelligent systems. Examples of artificially intelligent systems include: web search engines, speech recognition algorithms, computer-based natural language understanding, robotics, computer vision, smart algorithms which support automatized data mining, the design of intelligent entities in computer games, as well as bionic and prosthetic technology development and evaluation (such as cochlear implant technology). Students interested in career opportunities in this area should choose their core coursework from the AI/Computational Modeling specialization area.
Computational Neuroscience and Mathematical Psychology Careers. Computational neuroscience and mathematical psychology are areas of study concerned with the development of mathematical and simulation models for the purpose of advancing theory in the behavioral and brain sciences. Students interested in careers in computational neuroscience would choose their core coursework from the specialization areas of both Neuroscience and AI/Computational Modeling. Students interested in the area of mathematical psychology would choose their core coursework from the specialization areas of Psychology/HCI and AI/Computational Modeling.
Usability Engineering and User Experience (UX) Careers. Students whose focus area is Human-Computer-Interactions (HCI), are prepared to pursue careers in the areas of usability engineering and user-experience (UX) design. Such careers involve the evaluation and design of human-computer interfaces such as website and software graphical user interfaces (GUIs), smartphone interfaces, and voice-user interfaces (VUIs). Students interested in Usability Engineering opportunities should choose their core coursework from the Psychology/HCI specialization area and include one or more HCI courses. Students interested in the area of user-experience (UX) design typically choose their core coursework from both the specialization areas of Psychology/HCI and Artificial Intelligence/Computational Modeling.
Medical and Dental School Career Paths. The Cognitive Science major is an excellent choice for students interested in preparation for medical or dental graduate study. Cognitive science students receive training in areas such as biology, chemistry, psychology, and mathematics. Freshman and sophomore students interested in pre-med careers should identify basic, required, and recommended subject requirements for their top choices in medical schools. This information should then be used to design an appropriate cognitive science curriculum with their undergraduate Cognitive Science advisor. Permission to take relevant advanced coursework in biology, chemistry, and neuroscience can, in some cases, be used to satisfy the neuroscience specialization area requirements with approval from the Cognitive Science program head. Students interested in Health Services career paths should choose Neuroscience as one of their two specialization areas.
Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)1
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Professors: Hervé Abdi, Peter F. Assmann, Sandra B. Chapman, W. Jay Dowling, Julia Evans, Francesca Filbey, Richard M. Golden, John Hart Jr., William F. Katz, Michael P. Kilgard, Daniel Krawczyk, Aage R. Møller, Alice J. O'Toole, Denise C. Park, Theodore Price, Robert L. Rennaker II, Michael D. Rugg, Bart Rypma, Sven Vanneste
Associate Professors: Chandramallika Basak, Gregory Dussor, Kristen Kennedy, Sven Kroener, Mandy J. Maguire, Christa McIntyre Rodriguez, Jonathan E. Ploski, Karen Rodrigue, Lucien (Tres) Thompson, Gagan Wig
Assistant Professors: Michael Burton, Kendra Seaman, Catherine Thorn
Senior Lecturer: Rukhsana Sultana
Affiliated Faculty: Robert Ackerman, Shayla C. Holub, Heidi Kane, Candice M. Mills, Jackie Nelson, Amy Pinkham, Karen J. Prager, Raúl Rojas, Pamela R. Rollins, John W. Santrock, Noah J. Sasson, Melanie J. Spence, Linda M. Thibodeau, Hanna K. Ulatowska, Andrea Warner-Czyz
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours2
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication
COMM 1315 Public Speaking
RHET 1302 Rhetoric
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
or MATH 2413 Differential Calculus3 (Note: MATH 2417 is recommended)
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences core courses (see CGS advisor for options)
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
Select 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
Select 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts core courses
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select 6 semester credit hours from American History core courses
Government/Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
Select 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science core courses
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
PSY 2301 Introduction to Psychology3
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
or MATH 2414 Integral Calculus3 (Note: MATH 2419 is recommended)
II. Major Requirements: 48-54 semester credit hours (12 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum)
Major Preparatory Courses
The following are required for all concentration areas: (24 semester credit hours)
CS 1337 Computer Science I
or MATH 2413 Differential Calculus3
or MATH 2414 Integral Calculus3
MATH 2418 Linear Algebra
PSY 2301 Introduction to Psychology3
PSY 2317 Statistics for Psychology
or CS 3341 Probability and Statistics in Computer Science and Software Engineering
Additional Preparatory Courses for AI/Computational Modeling Area: (6 semester credit hours)
The courses listed below are not required for all students specializing in the AI/Computational Modeling area but are prerequisites for some courses in this area.
CS 2305 Discrete Mathematics for Computing I
CS 2336 Computer Science II
Additional Preparatory Courses for Neuroscience Area (21 semester credit hours)
The courses listed below are not required for all students specializing in the Neuroscience area but are prerequisites for some courses in this area.
BIOL 2111 Introduction to Modern Biology Workshop I
BIOL 2281 Introductory Biology Laboratory
BIOL 2311 Introduction to Modern Biology I3
CHEM 1111 General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I3
CHEM 1112 General Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 1312 General Chemistry II
Major Core Courses required for all concentration areas: 12 semester credit hours
CGS 3361 Cognitive Psychology
NSC 3361 Introduction to Neuroscience
PSY 3392 Research Design and Analysis
CGS 3340 Experimental Projects in Cognitive Science
or PSY 3393 Experimental Projects in Psychology
Major Related Courses: 24 semester credit hours
Select 4 courses each from 2 of the following 3 Concentration Areas:
Core Courses for Psychology/HCI Concentration Area
Select 12 semester credit hours from the list of courses below:
CGS 3325 Historical Perspectives on Psychology: Mind and Machines since 1600
CGS 4359 Cognitive Neuroscience
CGS 4362 Perception
CGS 4352 Human Computer Interactions I
CGS 4353 Human Computer Interactions II
PSY 3331 Social Psychology
PSY 4343 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 2314 Lifespan Development
PSY 3310 Child Development
PSY 3362 Cognitive Development
PSY 3339 Educational Psychology
PSY 4364 Attention and Memory
NSC 4385 Neuropsychology
CGS 4320 Psychology of Reasoning
Core Courses required for Neuroscience Concentration Area
Select 12 semester credit hours from the list of courses below:
NSC 4352 Cellular Neuroscience
NSC 4354 Integrative Neuroscience
NSC 4356 Neurophysiology
NSC 4366 Neuroanatomy
NSC 4363 Neuropharmacology
NSC 4367 Developmental Neurobiology
NSC 4359 Cognitive Neuroscience
NSC 4353 Neuroscience Laboratory Methods
NSC 4357 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
NSC 4362 Molecular Neuroscience
NSC 4371 Neural Plasticity
NSC 4373 Sensory Neuroscience
NSC 4385 Neuropsychology
NSC 4351 Medical Neuroscience
NSC 4358 Neuroscience of Pain
NSC 4372 Neuroimmunology
NSC 4350 Medical Neuropathology
Core Courses required for AI/Computational Modeling Concentration Area
Select 12 semester credit hours from the list of courses below:
CS 3341 or SE 3341 Probability and Statistics in Computer Science and Software Engineering4
CGS 3342 Cognitive and Neural Modeling Laboratory5
CGS 4314 Intelligent Systems Analysis5
CGS 4315 Intelligent Systems Design5
CS 3345 Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithmic Analysis
CS 4365 Artificial Intelligence
CS 4375 Introduction to Machine Learning
CS 4391 Introduction to Computer Vision
CS 4395 Human Language Technologies
CS 4372 Computational Methods for Data Scientists
CGS 4352 Human Computer Interactions I
CGS 4353 Human Computer Interactions II
III. Elective Requirements: 24-30 semester credit hours
Free Electives:
24 semester credit hours for AI/Computational Modeling Concentration Area
30 semester credit hours for the other two concentrations
Students are encouraged to explore areas of concentration in Cognitive Science, Psychology, and Neuroscience as well as explore interests outside the field. Be aware that at least 51 semester credit hours of upper-division semester credit hours are required for graduation. In addition, advanced CGS students in good academic standing may request permission from the Cognitive Science Program Head to take graduate Applied Cognition and Neuroscience coursework (ACN prefix) to fulfill some of the elective course requirements.
Incoming freshmen must enroll and complete requirements of BBSU 1100.
Fast Track Baccalaureate/Master's Degrees
UT Dallas undergraduate students with strong academic records who intend to pursue a master's degree in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience at UT Dallas may consider an accelerated undergraduate-graduate plan of study. If accepted into the program, students may take up to 15 semester credit 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 3.000 grade point average and earn grades of B or better in the graduate courses taken.
Students should apply for Fast Track admission in the semester they reach 90 semester credit hours. To qualify for application, undergraduate students must have completed at least 18 semester credit hours in major core courses at UT Dallas. To be eligible for Fast Track admission, students must have completed at least 90 semester credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree, completed a minimum of 36 hours of general education core curriculum classes, and meet program admission requirements. Apply to the Fast Track program through the Applied Cognition and Neuroscience Program Office. Students should consult with a graduate advisor regarding admissions criteria and plans of study at the beginning of their junior year.
Minor in Cognitive Science: 18 semester credit hours
Students who are not majoring in Cognitive Science may minor in Cognitive Science by completing 18 semester credit hours. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor, and should maintain a minimum GPA of 2.000 on a 4.00 scale (C average). At least 12 of the 18 semester credit hours required by the minor in Cognitive Science must be satisfied by completing two upper-division courses from each of two different Cognitive Science specialization areas. In addition, 9 of the 18 semester credit hours required for the minor in Cognitive Science must have a Cognitive Science (CGS), Psychology (PSY), or Neuroscience (NSC) prefix and be upper-division courses. No semester credit hours may be used to satisfy both major and minor requirements; however, free elective semester credit hours or major preparatory classes may be used to satisfy the minor. At least one-third of the semester credit hours for a minor must be taken at UT Dallas.
1. Incoming freshmen must enroll and complete requirements of UNIV 1010 and the corresponding school-related freshman seminar course. Students, including transfer students, who complete their core curriculum at UT Dallas must take UNIV 2020.
2. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
3. A required Preparatory course that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Fourteen semester credit hours (14) are counted in Core Curriculum.
4. Note that either SE 3341 or STAT 3341 may be used as an equivalent course for CS 3341 for all Cognitive Science program requirements as well as all Cognitive Science course prerequisites.
5. Taught only once every other year.