A major may elect to receive a B.S. in cognitive science with a specified area of specialization. The areas of specialization are intended to provide majors with guidance in choosing elective courses and to make the specific interests and training of major clear to prospective employers and graduate schools. Specifying an area of specialization is optional; however, students should take into consideration when planning for their specialization that approved courses are not necessarily offered every year. The specialization will be listed on your transcript.
The areas of specialization are:
To major in cognitive science with an area of specialization, the requirements are as follows:
Please note that the allowed courses within each specialization are not necessarily offered each year by the participating departments so you should research and plan your specialization accordingly. For example, you might not be able to take all 4 of your courses for the Computation specialization within the Department of Cognitive Science in one year, so you may have to plan on taking approved courses offered from the Department of Computer Science.
Please see our list of approved specialization courses for the most up to date list of approved courses, or see CogSci Undergraduate Advisor in CSB 140. Alternatively, email to ugradinfo@cogsci.ucsd.edu.
This area of specialization is intended for majors interested in cognitive neuropsychology, psychiatry, cognitive disorders, and the effects of drugs and brain-damage on cognitive functions. Allowed electives include courses in those topics, as well as organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physiology. Major code: CG31
This area of specialization is intended for majors interested in software engineering or research in computational modeling of cognition. Allowed electives include advanced courses in neural networks, artificial intelligence, and computer science. Major code: CG27
This area of specialization is intended for majors whose primary interests include human psychology and applications of cognitive science in design and engineering. Allowed electives include courses in cognitive development, language, laboratory research of cognition, anthropology, and sociology. Major code: CG28
This area of specialization is intended for majors interested in human computer interaction. Allowed electives currently include advanced courses in cognitive science, however, with departmental approval, other courses related to human computer interaction may be counted as electives for the HCI specialization. Major code: CG30
This area of specialization is intended for majors interested in neuroscience research or medicine. Allowed electives include courses in cognitive neuroscience, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physiology. Major code: CG29