Hartwick college

How does the human mind work?  What is the nature of intelligence?  How do we acquire language?  How do we learn and reason?  Can we build intelligent computers with the intellectual capabilities of humans?  Are robots in our future?

Questions like these drive the field of cognitive science, which is based on computer science, psychology and philosophy.  Hartwick has a strong, interdisciplinary program in this area.

The requirements for the minor are as follows:

The first course in the minor is

• Introduction to Cognitive Science (COGS 110).  This mini-seminar introduces students to the field by exploring major themes, recent applications, and special topics in the contributing disciplines.  This course includes guest lectures from faculty in the various disciplines associated with the minor.

Required courses change yearly, but have included

• Lego Robotics Programming(CISC 110) or Introduction to Programming (CISC 120)
• Introduction to Cultural Analysis (LANG 301) and States of Mind (ENGL 382)
• Philosophy of Mind (PHIL 370)
• Cognitive Psychology (PSYC 304)
• Neurobiology (BIOL 315)
• Biopsychology (PSYC 305)

The cognitive science minor concludes with this course

• Cognitive Science Capstone Experience (COGS 450) In this mini-seminar, students engage in individual research projects, applying the knowledge gained in the minor to a topic of special interest.  Students share knowledge and experiences in the field with other students in an interactive class environment.

Related courses include

• Artificial Neural Networks (CISC 250)
• Artificial Intelligence (CISC 305)
• Existentialism (PHIL 249)
• Space and Time (PHYS 127)
• Research in Learning (PSYC 366)
• Research in Cognitive Psychology (PSYC 364)
• Logic (PHIL 236)