The Rutgers Center for Cognitive Science (RuCCS) offers a bachelor of arts degree in cognitive science. The major offers an opportunity for exceptional students to explore multidisciplinary
approaches to the study of the brain, behavior, and computation, including how
people, animals, and computers think, act, and learn.
There are five possible tracks
for the major: (1) cognitive neuroscience, (2) decision-making, (3) language,
(4) mind, machines, and computation, and (5) perception. Each track is
structured into five segments: (i) quantitative reasoning, (ii) foundational,
(iii) distributional, (iv) topics courses, and (v) capstone. Each track will
have the same two requirements in logical and statistical reasoning, the same
foundational course in cognitive science, a set of three distributional
requirements in cognate areas, and one capstone course involving independent
research or an approved course substitute (such as 01:185:411). The selection of courses that satisfy the topic electives segment
will vary by track. Requirements for the Major
The major must consist of a minimum of 36 credits:
1. Students will be required to complete a
minimum of four courses in cognitive science (curriculum code 185).
2. Grades of C or better must be earned in
all courses counted toward the major.
3. At least two-thirds of the total
credits must be from courses offered by the School of Arts and Sciences.
4. At least two-thirds of the total
credits must be at the 300 level or above.
5. No more than four courses from philosophy
and no more than four courses from computer science may be counted toward the
major.
6. No more than three courses from any other
department (not listed above) may be counted toward the major.
Currently, there are 35 jointly appointed faculty advisers and
an additional 35 faculty affiliates housed in various departments. Most play an
active role in the life of the center.
If interested in the cognitive science major, students are encouraged to
check out the following website https://ruccs.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/about-cognitive-science
to view the major requirements and to learn how to apply.
If an individual wants honors, he or she needs to meet the
honors requirement for the university.
For additional information about the major, send an email to undergrad@ruccs.rutgers.edu;
or consult the cognitive science major webpage.
