Cognitive science is the scientific study of the human mind and its processes, such as how we acquire knowledge and understanding through our thoughts, experiences, and the senses. Cognitive scientists study intelligence, cognition, and behavior with a focus on how nervous systems represent, process, and transform information.
The field of Cognitive Science utilizes an interdisciplinary approach by working collectively with other disciplines such as psychology, robotics/artificial intelligence, philosophy, neuroscience, logic, computer science, linguistics, and anthropology.
Cognitive Science investigates areas including perception, memory, learning, attention, reasoning, consciousness, emotion, evolutionary psychology, mental imagery, and neural networks.
Additional credit hours could indicate a major, second minor, or certificate. A minimum of 120 credit hours is required to graduate.
An undergraduate student should initiate a Change of Academic Program if they wish to add or remove a minor.
The student obtains a Change of Academic Program form from the Registrar's Office or the department of the new major/minor, secures the signature of the department chair/director (or dean) of any major/minor to be added, and returns the form to the Registrar's Office for processing.
A student must submit the completed form by the Thursday before priority registration if the change is to be made within the current semester. Unless granted a waiver by the department of the new major, the student must meet all current program requirements for graduation.
The 18-hour minor in cognitive science at the University of Southern Indiana is designed as a supplement for majors in psychology, philosophy, computer science, mathematics, engineering/technology and languages, though it is applicable beyond these disciplines as well.
Training in cognitive science prepares students well for many of the careers that are major growth fields of the 21st century, including psychology, information processing, medical analysis, data retrieval, human-computer interaction, telecommunications and education.
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The University of Southern Indiana is committed to making college accessible to those wishing to further their education by providing numerous scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to assist students in managing tuition expenses.
