COGNITIVE SCIENCE & AI Minor

Human curiosity about the workings of the mind is longstanding. How is information and knowledge represented in the mind? What is the nature of intelligence? How do we acquire and use language? How do we learn, reason, and make decisions? Can we create AI that perceives, solves problems, and operates similarly to human cognition? How do brain lesions affect thought and behavior? How does the human brain differ from that of other animals? These and similar questions lie at the heart of cognitive science and artificial intelligence.

In recent decades, researchers from a range of disciplines—such as neuroscience, cognitive psychology, philosophy, artificial intelligence, linguistics, anthropology, and religious studies—have collaborated to address these topics. This interdisciplinary approach recognizes that no single discipline can fully explain the complexity of cognition, making such collaborations essential to advancing our understanding.

Please note: Hartwick College focuses on offering fall, January, and spring term undergraduate courses in person, however circumstances may require us to offer a small number of courses in this department through distance education. In times of emergency, following regulatory guidelines, all classes may temporarily need to be delivered through distance education, including online. We also offer a slate of courses online in the summer to help our students make progress towards their degrees. With support from an academic advisor, students needing particular courses may have other online options as well. If you have questions about the way courses are delivered in your program, please contact your Department or Program Chair.

Unlimited Potential for Future Careers

Students who minor in cognitive science and AI will find this field has unlimited potential for future careers in industry as well as in academia in areas such as:

computer industry (robotics, artificial intelligence, expert systems, language understanding, virtual reality, computer graphics, programming, analysts, etc.),
biotechnology (e.g., cognitive neuroscience, biomolecular/genetic computing),
medicine/medical research,

clinical psychology/psychiatry (learning disabilities, dyslexia, autism, learning and memory, psycho pharmacy, psychotherapy,),
education (curriculum, language acquisition, cognitive development, learning disabilities),
human-computer interface design, human factors (tool design, telecommunications, work-place safety),

language (speech pathology, language instruction), language translation and cross-cultural interpretation, lexicography (building dictionary databases, search engines, etc.),
business,
art,
and, music.

Exciting Student Outcomes

Our students compliment their major area of study with a minor in cognitive science and AI. Majors include: psychology, philosophy, global studies, math, and more.