Faculty: Faculty of Science
Degree options:
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?
Popular career paths for cognitive science graduates include:
- artificial intelligence/robotics specialist
- human-computer interface specialist
- software developer
- speech pathologist
- marketing representative
- web application developer
- product usability tester
- business analyst
- training development
- language processing specialist/linguistics adviser
- cognitive neuroscientist
- occupational therapist
"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."
Logan Doyle (’18)
Cognitive science, minors in computer science and psychology
North Rustico, PEI
"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.
"I wanted a program that could introduce me to the various approaches to studying the mind, including computer science, psychology, and philosophy, and also provide opportunities to explore some research areas in more detail. The cognitive science program at MtA was very good at doing just that!"
Mariah Martin Shein ('15)
Double major, cognitive science & computer science
Truro, NS
“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!”
Casey
Losier ('13)
Cognitive science, minors in biology, computer science,
and psychology
Quispamsis, NB
Research opportunities
Cognitive science students can participate in research opportunities in a variety of disciplines associated with the cognitive science program (e.g. psychology, computer science, philosophy) by:
- completing an honours or independent study projects
- applying for research awards to work with faculty members over the summer
- working or volunteering in faculty research laboratories