How does the human mind work? How can we improve memory and cognition or boost intelligence? Should we? Is artificial intelligence, like ChatGPT, useful or dangerous to society? What are the ethical boundaries of technological advancement?
If these are the kinds of questions keeping you up at night, then consider pursuing a degree and a career in the field of cognitive science. Cognitive science crosses disciplines and seeks multiple ways of learning about learning (and thinking!). It draws primarily on the fields of psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, linguistics, and computer science. As computer technology has become such a central component of our daily social and professional lives, it is crucial to understand these issues from across the academic spectrum and to consider their ramifications.
Here are several undergraduate programs where you can explore this field:
UBC-Vancouver Cognitive Systems (COGS)↗️
This interdisciplinary program offers five degree options including a BA or BSc in Cognition and Brain (psychology), a BA in Language (linguistics) as well as Mind, Language, and Computation (philosophy), and a BSc in Computational Intelligence and Design (computer science).
Each degree in this program guides students toward understanding the theoretical connections between human and machine intelligence and the “consequences of discovering such connections.” Furthermore, each degree allows students within that major to become “experts” in a given field and to perform hands-on research within the field while appreciating and studying what the other fields have to offer.
University of Toronto Cognitive Science↗️
This program offers both an Honours BA and BSc. Students can complete a degree in Perception & Attention; Language & Cognition; or Thinking & Reasoning in the faculty of Humanities. Alternatively, they can pursue a BSc in Computational Cognition or Cognition & the Brain in the faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
In addition to learning within their specific discipline of choice (literature, linguistics, philosophy, cognitive psychology, or cognitive neuroscience), students are encouraged to “think outside all the boxes.” This field is not only about questioning what you think and why you think it, but it is also about what thinking is and how to tackle the problems of today and tomorrow.
McGill University’s Cognitive Science↗️
This program is offered as an interfaculty program providing students with a Bachelor of Arts & Science degree. This program and degree are geared to students with strong interests and backgrounds in BOTH the arts and sciences.
University of Waterloo Cognitive Science Minor↗️
Students in any field of study are welcome to add this minor, offered by the Department of Philosophy, to their programs.
Mount Allison University Cognitive Science↗️
For those looking at heading to the Maritimes, this is the only cognitive science program in that region, and it can be completed as either an arts or science degree. Students in this program at one of Canada’s top primarily undergraduate universities are encouraged to create their own summer research projects, complete directed studies within the school year, or contribute to faculty research in the field.
For students with more particular interests and strengths, there is still a diversity of options within cognitive science:
Queen’s Cognitive Science Specialization↗️
If math and computer science are your strongest interests, then this program might be for you. This program is offered within their Faculty of Computing and aims to understand the concept of intelligence in humans and animals in order to program intelligent computers to not just “perform complex tasks, but think complex thoughts.”
Carleton University’s Bachelor of Cognitive Science↗️
If math and science ARE NOT your thing, check out this program, which has no math or science prerequisites, and encourages students to work with faculty members in their research into the mind using interdisciplinary methods and theories.
If you need help sorting out these and other interdisciplinary options, our consultants love digging into fascinating post-secondary programs with students. Contact us↗️ today to book an appointment.
