Cognitive Science (B.Sc.)
Faculty List
A. Kukla, A.B., M.A., Ph.D. (UCLA),
Professor Emeritus
M.C. Smith, B.A. (Toronto), Ph.D. (MIT),
Professor Emerita
G. Hirst, B.A., B.Sc. (Monash), M.Sc. (A.N.U., U.B.C.), Ph.D. (Brown),
Professor
J. M. Kennedy, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Belfast), Ph.D. (Cornell),
Professor
W.E. Seager, M.A. (Alberta), Ph.D. (Toronto),
Professor
S. Joordens, B.A. (New Brunswick), M.A., Ph.D. (Waterloo),
Associate Professor
S. Sedivy, B.A. (Toronto), Ph.D. (Pittsburgh),
Associate Professor
R. Smyth, B.A. (Carleton), M.Sc. (Alberta), Ph.D. (Alberta),
Associate Professor
G.S. Cree, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Western),
Assistant Professor
Supervisor of Studies: S. Joordens Email: joordens@utsc.utoronto.ca
Cognitive Science is the study of knowledge - how human beings, other animals, and even machines acquire knowledge, organize and store that knowledge, and use that particular knowledge to solve problems. Cognitive scientists are particularly interested in the way we use symbolic systems, such as natural or computer languages, drawing, or mathematical notation, to organize our knowledge of the world. Cognitive Science considers questions like: Are we born with some knowledge already in place? How does our experience of the world allow us to develop knowledge? Is knowledge stored as visual images, words, or abstract propositions? How do we master and store the complicated system of rules that allows us to use language? How do language and culture affect our understanding of the world? How is the knowledge stored in a computer like and unlike the knowledge stored in our heads?
The Cognitive Science Programs (Major and Specialist) draw on philosophy, linguistics, computer science and psychology to answer these questions. The Programs are excellent preparation for students interested in teaching in junior schools, who should add a course in Philosophy of Education, and obtain teaching experience. They are also an excellent base for students interested in careers in Speech Pathology, who should add courses in human physiology. Also, they prepare students for careers in Psychology and Philosophy, and are good adjuncts for careers in Computer Science and Neuroscience.
First-Year Students in Cognitive Science
LINA01H , LINA02H , PHLA10H , PHLA11H , PSYA01H and PSYA02H recommended in first year if intending to pursue a Specialist or Major Program in Cognitive Science.
SPECIALIST PROGRAM IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE
Supervisor of Studies: S. Joordens Email: joordens@utsc.utoronto.ca
Program Requirements:
The Specialist Program consists of 12.5 full credits. Nine are specified courses. Three and one-half are to be selected from four bins: (1) Psychology/Neuroscience, (2) Linguistics, (3) Philosophy, and (4) Cognate courses.
Specified Courses:
Nine full credits:
LINA01H General Linguistics I
LINA02H General Linguistics II
PHLA10H Reason and Truth
PHLA11H Introduction to Ethics
PSYA01H Introductory Psychology: Part I
PSYA02H Introductory Psychology: Part II
LINB04H Phonology I
LINB06H Syntax I
PHLB20H Belief, Knowledge and Truth
PHLB86H Foundations of Cognitive Science
PSYB07H Data Analysis in Psychology
PSYB51H Perception and Cognition
PSYB57H Memory and Cognition
LINC05H Morphology
PHLB81H Theories of Mind
PSYC54H Cognition and Representation
PLIC55H Psycholinguistics
[CSCA08H Introduction to Computer Programming
or
CSCA48H Introduction to Computer Science]
Note: Students having familiarity with computers, but no computer programming skills, may wish to take CSCA08H in the first or second year. Only students with computer programming experience should attempt CSCA48H without first taking CSCA08H . Students may wish to consult with the Program Supervisor before deciding on the most appropriate computer science course sequence.
1. Psychology/Neuroscience
1.5 full credits chosen from the following:
PSYB20H Introduction to Developmental Psychology
PSYB65H Human Brain and Behaviour
PSYC08H Advanced Data Analysis in Psychology
PSYC26H Developmental Psychology Laboratory
PSYC56H Music Cognition
PSYC58H Cognitive Psychology Laboratory
PSYC85H History of Psychology
PSYD50H Current Topics in Memory and Cognition
PSYD51H Current Topics in Perception
PSYD58H The Scientific Study of Conscious and Unconscious Influences
PSYD90H Seminar in Computational Cognitive Neuroscience
NROB60H Neuroscience I: Cell Anatomy and Physiology
NROC61H Neuroscience II: Learning and Motivation
NROC64H Neuroscience III: Sensory and Motor Systems
NROC69H Synaptic Organizations of the Brain
COGC91H Supervised Study in Cognitive Science
2. Linguistics
One half credit chosen from the following:
LINB09H Phonetics: The Study of Speech Sounds
LINB17H The Structure of English Sentences
LINC12H Semantics: The Study of Meaning
PLIB25H Second Language Learning
PLIC24H Developmental Psycholinguistics
PLID44H Acquisition of the Mental Lexicon
PLID55H Disorders of Speech and Language
COGC92H Supervised Study in Cognitive Science
3. Philosophy and Theoretical Psychology
One half credit chosen from the following:
COGD10H Supervised Study in Cognitive Science
PHLB50H Symbolic Logic I
PHLB70H Philosophy of Science
PHLB80H Philosophy of Language
PSYC82H Theoretical Psychology
PSYD52H Fundamental Issues in Cognitive Science
4. Cognate Courses
One full credit chosen from the following:
MATA23H Linear Algebra I
MATA30H Calculus I
[MATA35H Calculus II for Biological Sciences
or
MATA36H Calculus II for Physical Sciences
or
MATA37H Calculus II for Mathematical Sciences]
MATB24H Linear Algebra II
MATC09H Introduction to Mathematical Logic
CSCB07H Software Design
CSCB36H Introduction to the Theory of Computation
CSCB58H Computer Organization
One-half course in Anthropology at the B-level or higher.
Note: It is expected that most students will take MATA30H and MATA35H /MATA36H /MATA37H to fulfill their cognate course requirement.
MAJOR PROGRAM IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE
Supervisor of Studies: S. Joordens Email: joordens@utsc.utoronto.ca
Program Requirements:
The Major Program consists of 7.5 full credits. Seven are specified courses. One-half credit to be selected from the Psychology bin.
Specified Courses:
Seven full credits:
PSYA01H Introductory Psychology: Part I
PSYA02H Introductory Psychology: Part II
LINA01H General Linguistics I
LINA02H General Linguistics II
LINB04H Phonology I
LINB06H Syntax I
LINC05H Morphology
PHLB81H Theories of Mind
PHLB86H Foundations of Cognitive Science
PSYB51H Perception and Cognition
PSYB57H Memory and Cognition
PLIC55H Psycholinguistics
[STAB22H Statistics I
or
PSYB07H3 Data Analysis in Psychology]
[CSCA08H Introduction to Computer Programming
or
CSCA48H Introduction to Computer Science]
Note: Students having familiarity with computers, but no computer programming skills, may wish to take CSCA08H in the first or second year. Only students with computer programming experience should attempt CSCA48H without first taking CSCA08H . Students may wish to consult with the Supervisor of Program before deciding on the most appropriate computer science course sequence.
Psychology
One half credit chosen from the following:
PSYB20H Introduction to Developmental Psychology
PSYB65H Human Brain and Behaviour
PSYC08H Advanced Data Analysis in Psychology
PSYC54H Cognition and Representation
PSYC56H Music Cognition
PSYC82H Theoretical Psychology
PSYD58H The Scientific Study of Conscious and Unconscious Influences
NROB60H Neuroscience I: Cell Anatomy and Physiology
COGC91H Supervised Study in Cognitive Science
COGC91H3
COGC92H3
COGD10H3 Supervised Study in Cognitive Science
Supervised reading or research project.
These courses provide an opportunity to pursue advanced study in a specialized area following the appropriate scheduled courses and in close consultation with the supervisor. They are not intended as a substitute for scheduled advanced courses. A written report or paper is normally required.
Limited enrolment: Students are advised that they must obtain consent from the supervising instructor before registering for these courses.
Prerequisite: Three full credits at the B- or C-level in COG and/or LIN and/or PSY; permission of the supervisor.
Published Wednesday July 23rd, 2008 Section last updated Wed Feb 6, 2008
