Are you interested in how people, or animals, or
computers think? Cognitive scientists study thinking
from a variety of different perspectives.
Cognitive Science
Until about a century ago, the study of the mind was
carried out mostly by philosophers. Psychology and
linguistics then emerged as distinct disciplines.
Psychologists developed an empirical approach to
perception and reasoning, while linguists focused on
the nature of language. When artificial intelligence
made its appearance, just after the Second World War,
yet another perspective opened up.
Today cognitive science is an exciting discipline
that integrates elements of philosophy, psychology,
linguistics, neuroscience and computer science into a
unified field of study.
Cognitive scientists study cognition, perception and
emotion from all these perspectives, ranging from
abstract concepts at one end to well-defined empirical
research on language and cognition and computer
modelling at the other.
The Carleton advantage
Carleton University offers you one of the few fully
integrated programs in Cognitive Science in Canada.
At Carleton, you will develop a solid foundation in the
different elements that make up this field of study,
and you will also be able to specialize in an area of
particular interest.
Co-op opportunities
The co-op option in Cognitive Science enables you to
apply your skills in a variety of settings. You can find
work in software interface design, developing efficient
procedures for querying databases or novel ways to
visualize data.
Students in the Cognitive Science co-op option
complete six academic terms before the co-op term.
Normally, the first work term begins in the summer
after the end of the third year. The second work term
begins in the winter term of the student’s fourth year,
while the third work term begins in the summer term
of the student’s fourth year.
carleton.ca
Because work terms begin after you have completed
your third year of study, you will have basic
programming skills, plus good coverage of the subdomains within Cognitive Science, when you begin
your co-op term. Depending on your specialization,
you will also have additional advanced courses in one
sub-domain of Cognitive Science.
The capital advantage
ARTS AND
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Cognitive Science at Carleton has forged strong links
to resources in and around Ottawa, the nation’s
capital.
You will benefit from access to facilities such as
the National Research Council Canada, government
research laboratories and Ottawa’s large high tech
community.
Choosing the right program
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Carleton’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) (Honours) program
in Cognitive Science, offered through the Institute of
Cognitive Science, is usually completed in four years
of full-time study. The program consists of three
elements:
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a core of courses taken by all students together in
each year;
an area of specialization chosen from the five
possible areas; and
optional courses you select according to your
interests.
Your first-year experience
In first year, you will take introductory courses
in linguistics and psychology. You will also be
introduced to computing science in our Introduction
to Object-Oriented Programming (COMP 1005) and
Design and Implementation of Computer Applications
(COMP 1006) courses. It is recommended that you
also take the philosophy course Mind, World, and
Knowledge (PHIL 1301) which is an introduction to
philosophical issues concerning mind, language,
knowledge and the world.
Do you want more information?
Please contact us at:
Institute of Cognitive Science
2201 Dunton Tower
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa ON K1S 5B6
Canada
Tel: 613-520-2368
Fax: 613-520-3985
Email: ics@carleton.ca
Website: carleton.ca/ics
Undergraduate
Recruitment Office
Carleton University
315 Robertson Hall
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa ON K1S 5B6
Canada
Tel: 613-520-3663
Toll-free in Canada: 1-888-354-4414
Fax: 613-520-3847
Email: liaison@carleton.ca
Website: carleton.ca/admissions
First-year Seminars
First-year BA students are strongly encouraged to
include a First-year Seminar (FYSM) in their first-year
course load. Our First-year Seminars will get you
away from the lecture hall and give you the chance, in
a small class of no more than 30, to discuss and debate
topics with your classmates and your professors. You
will also get early and frequent feedback on class
assignments and work on research, writing and
study skills. Although some FYSMs count as courses
leading to a major, you do not have to choose a FYSM
in your major discipline and students are limited to
one FYSM. See the Carleton University Undergraduate
Calendar at carleton.ca/cuuc for a complete listing
and description of the First-year Seminars (FYSMs)
offered.
Produced and printed by Graphic Services, Carleton University
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A sample first year
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1.0 credit in any First-year Seminar (e.g.,
Cognitive Science: Thinking and Knowing
[FYSM 1607])
1.0 credit in Introduction to Object-Oriented
Programming (COMP 1005) and Design and
Implementation of Computer Applications
(COMP 1006)
0.5 credit in Mind, World, and Knowledge
(PHIL 1301)
0.5 credit in Introduction to Linguistics
(LALS 1001)
1.0 credit in Introduction to Psychology I (PSYC 1001) and Introduction to Psychology II
(PSYC 1002)
1.0 credit in an elective
Second-year courses
In your second year, you will expand on knowledge
acquired in first year, taking courses such as
Introduction to Cognitive Science (CGSC 2001);
Theories and Methods in Cognitive Science
(CGSC 2002); Discrete Structures (COMP 1805);
Linguistic Analysis I (LALS 2005); Biological
Foundations of Behaviour (PSYC 2200); Introduction
to Cognitive Psychology (PSYC 2700); and Introduction
to Philosophy of Mind (PHIL 2501).
Areas of specialization
You will begin to specialize during your second and
third year of study in one of five areas:
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Philosophical and Conceptual Issues—Mind and
language are complicated and the concepts used
to study them are complex. This specialization is
based in philosophy and focuses on the concepts
used in Cognitive Science.
Language and Linguistics—The factor that clearly
distinguishes the human mind from others
is our rich and sophisticated language. This
specialization focuses on language and how it
works in cognition
The Biological Foundations of Cognition—
Human cognition is an aspect of the brain. This
specialization studies how the brain achieves
cognition.
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Cognition and Psychology—Human cognitive
behaviour is extremely diverse and complex. This
specialization focuses on psychological research
into cognition.
Cognition and Computation—One way to study
cognition is to create artificial cognitive systems
(artificial intelligence) and to model natural
cognitive systems (the human mind) on computers.
This specialization focuses on the use of computers
to study cognition.
Honours research project
As a senior student, you will complete a research
project in a subject of interest.
The Honours research project allows you to work
closely with a faculty supervisor and to develop an
area of independent research. You will graduate with
valuable research experience and a defined area of
expertise.
Other research opportunities
Research interests of faculty members involved in the
Cognitive Science program include a broad range of
areas.
As a senior student, you may find yourself assisting in
areas of research such as:
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natural language processing;
speech perception;
visual word recognition;
formal properties of grammars;
psychophysics;
philosophy of mind;
semantics; and
genetic algorithms.
Resources for supporting work in these diverse areas
include the Carleton University Library, the Intelligent
Systems Lab in the School of Computer Science and
the experimental laboratories in the Department of
Psychology.
You will also find major facilities and equipment
for language research in the School of Linguistics
and Language Studies, and benefit from access to
internationally recognized experts in the philosophy
of mind and the philosophy of language.
Future opportunities
The workplace
As a graduate of Carleton’s Cognitive Science program
you will be well-equipped with the analytical,
communication and research skills necessary for a
wide range of career paths.
Many of our graduates go on to careers in areas such
as mind/machine interface research and the machine
processing of language. Others do research on human
cognition itself.
Graduate studies
Graduates of our program are generally well qualified
to go on to graduate studies in a variety of fields
including cognitive science, psychology, philosophy or
linguistics.
If you think that you may wish to pursue an
advanced degree, you are encouraged to investigate
graduate programs early in order to ensure that your
program is suited to meet the relevant graduate-level
requirements.
Professional programs
Many professional programs, such as teaching,
medicine and journalism, are interested in
attracting well-rounded applicants from a variety of
backgrounds.
Cognitive Science provides a strong foundation for
such programs and you are encouraged to pursue
interests you may have in these fields after completing
your undergraduate degree.
FAQs
1. Why would I choose an Honours program?
Honours or four-year programs have many
advantages including offering more courses in your
chosen field and access to co-op and internship
opportunities where available, as well as preparing
you for graduate studies, professional programs
and employment.
2. When do I have to declare a major?
You will need to choose a major by the end of your
first year. Course registration is generally easier for
students who have declared a major, so even if you
are not 100 per cent certain, it is best to choose a
major upfront and change it later if you need to.
3. Where can I go for academic advice?
Once you are studying at Carleton, our Student
Academic Success Centre offers a range of services
including academic advising and free studyskills development workshops. Friendly academic
advisors are available by appointment year-round
to assist you with your educational planning needs.
carleton.ca/sasc
Admission requirements
For admission to the Cognitive Science program, you
must have the Ontario Secondary School Diploma
(OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4 U/M courses.
Your six 4 U/M courses must include English (or
Anglais). Although not compulsory for admission to
Cognitive Science, a 4 U/M mathematics course is a
prerequisite for the Computer Science courses that you
will take.
It is Carleton University policy to consider your best
performance in any eligible course in the admissions
assessment.
Since the number of qualified applicants may be
greater than the number of available spaces, cut-off
averages and required marks may vary. Please refer to
our website at admissions.carleton.ca/requirements
for the current admission requirements.
For more information
…about the Cognitive Science program at Carleton,
please visit our website at carleton.ca/ics or consult
the Carleton University Undergraduate Calendar at
carleton.ca/cuuc.