MINOR OR CONCENTRATION IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE
The Cognitive Science Program brings together perspectives from cognitive psychology, computer science, philosophy and biology to understand how intelligent systems function. Students can earn a concentration or a minor.
EXPLORE THE PROGRAMS
The specific jobs you may be qualified for after studying Cognitive Science will depend, in part, on what major you select and what courses you take. Cognitive Science students from our program and others have begun careers related to psychology, artificial intelligence, robotics, telecommunications, medical analysis, data representation and retrieval, information and multimedia technology, education and scientific research.
Cognitive Science skills also are applicable to human-factors psychology/engineering and human-computer interaction—which involve designing products to be used easily by people. Still other options include marketing, advertising, human performance testing, technical writing and computer programming.
After graduation you can continue your education at the post-graduate level, or you can enter the work force.
If you want to pursue a graduate degree, your options will depend, in part, on what major you select to accompany your Cognitive Science concentration or minor and your coursework. Many leading universities now have graduate programs in Cognitive Science. Furthermore, depending on your major, you may be qualified to pursue graduate work in one or more of the disciplines that contribute to the interdisciplinary field of Cognitive Science. Finally, as a Cognitive Science student, you may choose to go on to medical, law or business school.
A Villanova liberal arts education prepares students to be excellent oral and written communicators, thrive in interpersonal interactions, and work as a team—skills employers want. Cognitive Science students may have a distinct advantage in at least two ways. First, the interdisciplinary nature of their training demonstrates flexibility and versatility in learning. Second, Cognitive Science students typically have computer skills and training in analysis and computation, both of which are becoming increasingly important and desirable to employers.
COMPLEMENTARY PROGRAMS
The Cognitive Science program complements a variety of degree programs. Many students already fulfill some or all of the requirements through their major and Core Curriculum courses, particularly in the following programs.
- Students in the Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN) program can usually complete the Cognitive Science minor without any additional coursework. Several courses that fulfill the minor requirements are either required or elective courses for CBN.
- Students pursuing a degree in Computer Science can typically complete the Cognitive Science minor or concentration by taking only one or two additional courses beyond the major and College requirements.
- Students pursuing a Philosophy degree can often complete the Cognitive Science minor with no additional coursework beyond the requirements for the Philosophy degree and the College's Core Curriculum or can complete the concentration by adding only two additional courses.
- Both the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and the Bachelor of Science in Psychology are easily paired with a Cognitive Science minor or concentration—typically requiring only two or three additional courses beyond the requirements for the major and Core Curriculum, and in some cases, with no additional coursework.
Students interested in learning more about fulfilling the Cognitive Science requirements in conjunction with their major, should talk to their academic advisor or the program chair, Joseph Toscano.