The Department of Psychology and the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies offer an interdisciplinary minor in cognitive science. The minor offers the student the opportunity for in-depth study with the framework of the “computer model” of the mind. Students study such topics as the nature of human information processing, the acquisition and use of language, and machine intelligence. No courses for the minor may be taken for S/U credit.

Students completing the minor in Cognitive Science will:

• Possess a background in logic, linguistics, psychology, philosophy, computer science and an appreciation and understanding of contemporary research in cognitive science.
• Be acquainted with the range and nature of problems united under the tile “cognitive science”.
• Have a general understanding of the computational model of the mind and of the ways in which the computer, together with other technical advances, has revolutionized contemporary thinking about the mind.
• Have an in-depth understanding of at least 2 or 3 central empirical issues currently under investigation in the field of cognitive science.
• Have become aware of both the value and difficulty of pursuing interdisciplinary approaches to research question.

Admissions and Certification of Minor

Students can complete the necessary forms online. The minor must be completed no later than the semester in which the student expects to graduate from their degree program. Certification should be completed no later than during the registration period for the student’s final semester at NC State.

Contact Person

Catherine Driscoll
434B Withers Hall
919.513.7846 
catherine_driscoll@ncsu.edu

Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Withers Hall 340
919.515.6100
philos_relstuds@ncsu.edu

SIS Code:  16CNM

• A minimum of 15 hours is required for the minor in Cognitive Science.
• Students must maintain a grade of ‘C-‘ or better in each course used toward the minor.
• Cognitive Science minor courses must include at least 3 of the 5 primary disciplines: philosophy (including logic), psychology, computer science, linguistics, and neurobiology.
• A maximum of TWO (2) courses may double-count between major departmental requirements and courses counting toward the minor.
• A maximum of TWO (2) courses may double-count between courses counting toward this minor and additional minors.

The department will determine whether courses which have been transferred from other institutions qualify for the minor. No more than two courses from other institutions may count toward the minor.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours	Counts towards
Required Courses
Select two of the following:		6
PHI/PSY 425	Introduction to Cognitive Science
PSY 420	Cognitive Processes
CSC 411	Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Elective Courses
Select three of the following:		9
CSC 333	Automata, Grammars, and Computability
CSC 411	Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
ENG 210	Introduction to Language and Linguistics
ENG 324	Modern English Syntax
ENG 524	Introduction to Linguistics
ENG 525	Variety In Language
ENG 527	Discourse Analysis
LOG 335	Symbolic Logic
LOG 435	Advanced Logic & Metamathematics
LOG 430	Varieties of Logic
PHI 331	Philosophy of Language
PHI 332	Philosophy of Psychology
PHI 347	Neuroscience and Philosophy
PHI/PSY 425	Introduction to Cognitive Science
PHI 447	Philosophy, Evolution and Human Nature
PSY 340	Human Factors Psychology
PSY 400	Perception
PSY 420	Cognitive Processes
PSY 430	Biological Psychology
BIO 488	Neurobiology
Total Hours		15