Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies
Full Time Faculty: Janet
Folina (Philosophy), Susan Fox (Mathematics/Computer Science), Brooke Lea
(Psychology)
Part Time Faculty: Joy Laine
(Philosophy)
Director: Eric Wiertelak
(Psychology)
As a term, The Neurosciences refers to an expanding interdisciplinary collective of
theory, methods, and technology from across science and other disciplines,
applied to the examination the evolution, development, structure (both
physical and organizational, as in artificial intelligence, computational
and theoretical modeling), functions (including adaptive mechanisms,
cognitive, systems, and philosophical approaches), pharmacology, clinical
assessment, and pathology of nervous systems in order to further understand
how thought and behavior develop, are organized, and maintained. The Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies
major, therefore, provides a broad multidisciplinary introduction to the
study of the brain, mind and behavior. The completion of this
interdisciplinary foundation and selected focused coursework, through
completion of an approved emphasis from one of the participating departments, enables the
student to study the mind and nervous system from a variety of perspectives
based on the student’s own interests in this field.
General Distribution Requirement
Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 180, 244, 246, 248,
and 484 count toward the mathematics and natural science requirement, and
362 counts toward the humanities requirement.
General Education Requirements
Courses that meet the general education requirements in
writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will
be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration for
each semester.
Additional information regarding the general
distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be
found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.
Major Requirements
The cognitive and neuroscience studies major consists
of three primary components: 1) completion of 5 foundation courses, 2)
completion of a 7 course core curriculum required for all cognitive and
neuroscience studies majors, and 3) a 5 or 6 course emphasis (described
below) in mathematics, computer science, philosophy, OR psychology
depending on the interests and future goals of the student*. The core
curriculum for cognitive and neuroscience studies draws from introductory,
intermediate and advanced courses in biology, mathematics, computer
science, philosophy, and psychology, as well as prerequisite courses. The
senior capstone experience in cognitive and neuroscience studies is
satisfied by successful completion of an approved research experience
(e.g., Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 300) and the Senior Seminar (2
semesters) in cognitive and neuroscience studies. The student, in
consultation with his/her advisor, chooses courses in his/her emphasis from
approved coursework in one of the participating departments.
*Students interested in a more in-depth study of
neurobiology and neurochemistry or who plan to pursue a career as a
biomedical scientist should also consider the major in biology with an
emphasis in neurobiology. (See biology section of this catalog.)
Specific Requirements for the Cognitive and
Neuroscience Studies Major
Five foundation courses are
required of all majors: Biology 260 and 265; Chemistry 112; Mathematics 153
or 154*; and Computer Science 120, 121 or 123**.
*Students completing the Psychology Emphasis satisfy
this requirement by completion of Psychology 201.
**Students select the course that will serve as the
appropriate prerequisite for the computer science course selected from the
list in 3 below.
Seven Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies Core Courses:
1. Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 180: Brain, Mind,
and Behavior (introductory course)
2. Biology 255: Cell Biology & Genetics Laboratory
(completed in conjunction with either of the Biology foundation courses,
260 or 265)
3. One of: Computer Science 365: Scientific
Computation; Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 484: Introduction to
Artificial Intelligence
4. Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 362: Philosophy
of Mind
5. Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 248: Behavioral
Neuroscience
6. Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 300: Directed
Research*
*The Directed Research experience should be defined
in part by the discipline of emphasis for the cognitive and neuroscience
studies major and focus on a neuroscience-related topic. It should
culminate in the creation of a research paper that is modeled after
professional publications in the student’s area of emphasis.
7. Capstone Experience
A capstone experience of either the cognitive and
neuroscience studies senior seminar or, with approval of the
student’s advisor and director of the cognitive and neuroscience
studies program, an advanced independent project.
Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 488: Senior Seminar
(taken twice)
Required Emphasis in a Participating Department
Completion of an emphasis in one of the participating
departments (mathematics, computer science, philosophy, or psychology) is
required of all cognitive and neuroscience studies majors to provide depth.
Typical course sequences are listed below. Students should select an
advisor from within their chosen emphasis and work closely with the advisor
in selecting appropriate courses for their particular emphasis.
Computer Science Emphasis (5
courses)
Computer Science 124: Object-Oriented Programming and
Data Structures
Computer Science 221: Algorithm Design and Analysis
Computer Science 240: Computer Systems Organization
Two of the following 3 courses:
Computer Science 369: Discrete Applied Mathematics**
Computer Science 445: Parallel and Distributed
Processing
Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 484: Introduction to
Artificial Intelligence***
**Computer Science 369 also requires Math 236 and
Math 379
**if not selected as core course
Mathematics Emphasis (6
courses)
Mathematics 135: Applied Calculus
Mathematics 312: Differential Equations*
One of the following 2 courses:
Mathematics 236: Linear Algebra
Mathematics 237: Multivariable Calculus
One of the following 2 courses:
Computer Science 121: Introduction to Scientific
Programming
Computer Science 123: Core Concepts in Computer Science
Two of the following 4 courses:
Mathematics 432: Mathematical Modeling
Mathematics 437: Continuous Applied Mathematics
Mathematics 469: Discrete Applied Mathematics**
Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 484: Introduction to
Artificial Intelligence
*Mathematics 312 also requires Mathematics 237
**Mathematics 469 also requires Mathematics 236 and
379
Philosophy Emphasis (5
courses)
One of the following 2 courses:
Philosophy 119: Critical Thinking
Philosophy 120: Introduction to Symbolic Logic
Plus both:
Philosophy 125: Ethics
Philosophy 231: Modern Philosophy
Two of the following 5 courses:
Philosophy 227: Bioethics
Philosophy/Mathematics 369: Advanced Symbolic Logic
Philosophy 360: Philosophy of Science
Philosophy 365/Math 265: Philosophy of Mathematics
Philosophy/Linguistics 364: Philosophy of Language
Psychology Emphasis (5
courses)
Psychology 202: Research in Psychology II
Three of the following courses:
Psychology 252: Distress, Dysfunction, and Disorder:
Perspectives on the DSM
Psychology 240: Principles of Learning and Behavior
Psychology 242: Cognitive Psychology
Psychology 244: Cognitive Neuroscience
Psychology 246: Exploring Sensation and Perception
Biology 356: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
One of the following 3 courses:
Psychology 378: Psychology of Language
Psychology 386: Seminar in Neuropharmacology
Psychology 488: Senior Seminar (Approved sections only.
Not all offerings will meet this requirement.)
|