Cognitive science investigates how information is represented, processed, and transformed in both humans and machines. The program involves the interdisciplinary study of the mind and seeks to further understand what the mind does and how it works.
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Degree options:
- Bachelor of Science, honours or major
- Bachelor of Arts, honours or major
Within the Department of Psychology, the cognitive science program at Mount Allison is one-of-a-kind in Atlantic Canada — incorporating perspectives from a variety of fields.
Specific courses in psychology, computer science, physics, philosophy, and chemistry form the core of the program, and you select the remainder to focus on your particular interests.
In first year you will take introductory psychology, computer science, mathematics, as well as chemistry or physics courses.
In second year you will pursue courses in psychology, computer science, and philosophy such as:
- cognitive processes
- biopsychology
- systems programming
- philosophy of science
In third and fourth year you will add courses in linguistics, while pursuing courses such as:
- sensation and perception
- behavioural neuroscience
- philosophy of mind
- artificial intelligence
- medical physics
You will also be encouraged to pursue independent summer research projects, directed studies projects, or to contribute to faculty research projects as a research assistant.
Find a list of cognitive science courses in the academic calendar - cognitive science.
Not sure about the difference between a major, a minor, and an honours?
"Cognitive science, at its foundations, is an interdisciplinary approach to the question of how the mind works. Working closely with professors of psychology, computer science and philosophy in small class sizes throughout the degree complements the interdisciplinary nature of the field perfectly. My experience with the program was full of exciting work and unprecedented academic growth that has guided who I am as a scientist and as a person. For someone who has a variety of scientific interests and a curiosity about questions of the brain and the mind I would highly recommend the cognitive science degree program."
"Mount Allison is one of the only universities in Canada that offers an undergraduate major in cognitive science. Most schools' only option is for students to supplement a more traditional program with a few cognitive science courses. 
“When I was first applying to Mount Allison I was flipping through
the academic calendar trying to get a feel for all the degree majors
offered. I was interested in Sciences but wasn’t sold on the idea of
having to focus on a single topic (there’s just so much out there to
explore!). Cognitive science immediately caught my attention. Here was a
program that would allow me to explore all kinds of areas. I had never
taken any kind of computer science or psychology (both integral parts of
the cognitive science program) in high school but decided to take a
leap of faith. It definitely paid off in the end!”
Dr. Lisa Dawn HamiltonLearn more about this discipline or apply online now.
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