Cognitive Science Minor - Undergraduate - 2009 University Catalog

You are viewing the 2009 University Catalog. Please see the newest version of the University Catalog for the most current version of this program's requirements.

Coordinator: David J. Townsend

Cognitive Science is the interdisciplinary study of mind and intelligence. It uses the methods of computer science, linguistics, communication sciences, philosophy, and psychology to examine how the mind carries out intelligent behaviors such as:
    â€¢    Understanding
    â€¢    Speaking
    â€¢    Planning
    â€¢    Creating
    â€¢    Reasoning
    â€¢    Problem solving

The Cognitive Science minor addresses such questions as:
    â€¢    What is consciousness?
    â€¢    How did intelligence originate?
    â€¢    How are languages stored in the brain?
    â€¢    Can a computer that carries out a conversation with a human think and feel?

The Minor in Cognitive Science provides excellent preparation for graduate programs in Cognitive Science, Psychology, Linguistics, Philosophy and Religion, and Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Changes in the minor can be checked at www.chss.montclair.edu/psychology/cogscience.

COGNITIVE SCIENCE MINOR

Complete 20 semester hours, from the following:

  1. Complete the following 3 courses:

    PSYC 220 Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychology 4
    PSYC 288 Introduction to Cognitive Science 3
    PSYC 301 Experimental Psychology 4
  2. Complete 9 semester hours from the following: CSND 500 with permission. Psyc majors cannot select an elective within their major.

    CMPT 183 Foundations of Computer Science I 3
    CMPT 184 Foundations of Computer Science II 3
    CMPT 280 Assembly Language and Computer Architecture 3
    CMPT 285 Discrete Mathematical Structures 3
    CMPT 287 Data Structures, File Structures and Algorithms 4
    CMPT 384 Systems Software 3
    CMPT 388 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence 3
    CSND 410 Neurophysiological Bases of Communication 3
    LNGN 300 Syntax 3
    LNGN 301 Semantics 3
    LNGN 302 Pragmatics 3
    LNGN 420 Language and the Mind 3
    LNGN 445 Natural Language Processing 3
    PHIL 266 Philosophy of Science 3
    PHIL 270 Philosophy of Mind 3
    PSYC 305 Physiological Psychology 3
    PSYC 308 Perception 3
    PSYC 313 Cognition 3
    PSYC 314 Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making 3
    PSYC 340 Human Learning and Memory 3
    PSYC 348 Psycholinguistics 3
    PSYC 488 Seminar in Cognitive Science 3

Course Descriptions:

CMPT183: Foundations of Computer Science I

Basic theory of digital computers. Syntax and semantics of a programming language. Algorithms: logic, design, testing and documentation. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Mathematics, Computer Science. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 100, MATH 112, MATH 114, MATH 116, MATH 122 or MATH 221.

CMPT184: Foundations of Computer Science II

Continuation of CMPT 183. Algorithm development involving user functions; subroutines, recursions, structures file manipulation. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 183.

CMPT280: Assembly Language and Computer Architecture

Computer structures, the conventional machine level, introduction to assembler language. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 184.

CMPT285: Discrete Mathematical Structures

The structures include sets, graphs, digraphs, trees, networks, lattices, matrices, semigroups and groups. Many practical business and scientific problems can be posed and solved by the use of these structures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 112.

CMPT287: Data Structures, File Structures and Algorithms

Creation and manipulation of in-memory data structures including graphs, lists, queues, sets, stacks and trees; searching, sorting and other algorithms for in-memory data structures. File, file structures and external sorting. Meets the University Writing Requirement for CPIN, CPPC, CPSC, SIBC, SICS and SIMB majors. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 184. Prerequisite or co-requisite: CMPT 285.

CMPT384: Systems Software

Design and implementation of assemblers, linkage editors and loaders, libraries, macro processors, and text editors; their relationship to an operating system. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 280 and 287.

CMPT388: Foundations of Artificial Intelligence

A general, comprehensive coverage of the main areas constituting the field of artificial intelligence, introduction of computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), pattern recognition and neural networks. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 371.

CSND410: Neurophysiological Bases of Communication

Study of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system as it relates to the development of hearing, vision, thought, memory and emotions, as well as the perception, processing and production of speech and language. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CSND 409 or equivalent.

LNGN300: Syntax

The study of sentence structure and the theories designed to describe it. Emphasis on structural grammar, the development of Generative Grammar and contemporary theoretical methods for describing sentence structure. Data will be taken from a number of different languages. Meets the University Writing Requirement for LIED and LING majors. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: LNGN 210 or departmental approval.

LNGN301: Semantics

The systematic and objective study of meaning in language. Topics include: referential meaning, semantic fields, componential analysis, synonymy, polysemy, hyponymy, and sequential meaning. Data will be taken from a number of different languages. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: LNGN 300.

LNGN302: Pragmatics

The study of pragmatics, an area of linguistics that examines language as situated speech and studies how context affects the interpretation of meaning. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: LNGN 300.

LNGN420: Language and the Mind

An introduction to the major theoretical and methodological principles of Noam Chomsky's theory of Universal Grammar and what they tell us about structure of the human mind. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: LNGN 210 or PSYC 290.

LNGN445: Natural Language Processing

This course introduces students to the field of Natural Language Processing, that is, of the applications of computer technology to linguistics. The major topics will include language generation, syntactic parsing, and the analysis and synthesis of speech. Students will learn to write programs in PROLOG, one of the most widely used computer languages in language and artificial intelligence applications. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: LNGN 210 or departmental approval.

PHIL266: Philosophy of Science

The epistemological character of scientific thought and the relevance of scientific findings for the clarification and eventual resolution of traditional philosophical issues. 3 sh.

PHIL270: Philosophy of Mind

Philosophical issues arising from the study of mental processes including the relation of a person to the body, life after death, and the possible reduction of consciousness to a brain process. 3 sh.

PSYC220: Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychology

An introduction to basic statistical methods in the behavioral sciences. The course begins with a review of descriptive statistics. The main course emphasis will be on probability theory and inferential statistics and their application to psychological research. This includes such methods as z-tests, t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation and nonparametric statistics. Laboratory sessions provide students with the opportunity to apply concepts from class using computers, particularly statistical software packages. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or PSYC 288; and PSYC 203.

PSYC288: Introduction to Cognitive Science

An introduction to the multidisciplinary field of cognitive science. Topics include: the mind-body problem, thought as computation and the computer model of the mind, the role of representation in mental activity. Emphasis will be upon the methodological approaches found in artificial intelligence, cognitive psychology, cognitive anthropology, cognitive neuroscience, linguistics, and philosophy. Cross listed with Computer Science CMPT 288, Linguistics LNGN 288 and Philosophy and Religion PHIL 288. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ANTH 100 or CMPT 183 or LNGN 210 or PHIL 100 or PSYC 101.

PSYC301: Experimental Psychology

Introduction to laboratory methods of research in areas such as motivation, perception and learning. Emphasis is on design and execution of exploratory investigations. Meets the University Writing Requirement for PSED, PSEL and PSYC majors. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 203 and PSYC 220;or PSYC 220 and PSYC 288 or CMPT 288 or LNGN 288 or PHIL 288.

PSYC305: Physiological Psychology

Anatomical, neural and biochemical bases of behavior are studied. Topics include localization of function, neuro-hormonal interaction, sensory and motor functioning, emotions, the relationship of neurophysiological processes and personality. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC308: Perception

Discusses the theory and procedure of perceptual research. Theoretical approaches; modern psychophysical and perceptual research; traditional problems of perception, constancies of size and color brightness. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC313: Cognition

The study of the acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of knowledge, utilizing behavioral, observational, and computer modeling methods. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC314: Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making

This course examines how human beings make decisions and judgments. It reviews how personal values, uncertainty and cognitive, social, and neurological processes affect decision making. This course draws upon a wide range of examples from many fields including psychology, economics, criminology, and medicine. Students will also learn strategies and techniques to enhance judgment. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC340: Human Learning and Memory

Covers research, language and methods of learning theory. Classical and operant conditioning, complex habits, remembering and forgetting, transfer of training, cognition and behavior modification. Review of animal research but primary emphasis is on people. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC348: Psycholinguistics

Explores the study of language through linguistic, behavioral, and cognitive methods. Basic linguistic ideas are used for the explication of problems in grammar, cognitive structure, meaning, and speech production and comprehension. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC488: Seminar in Cognitive Science

Seminar discussion of foundation works and contemporary research articles in Cognitive Science. With the instructor's guidance and supervision, each student will define an area of Cognitive Science for comprehensive in-depth review of research and write a literature review. Professional issues in Cognitive Science are discussed. Cross listed with Linguistics LNGN 488. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: LNGN 300 or CMPT 288 or LNGN 288 or PHIL 288 or PSYC 288.

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