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Programs

Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences

Our mission for the brain and cognitive sciences program is to train the next generation of cognitive and perceptual scientists, who will advance our understanding of the mechanisms of higher-level brain function. We hope to train flexible and creative students who will be able to combine classical behavioral approaches with computational tools from data science as well as a variety of cutting-edge experimental approaches from the domains of neuroscience, computer science, and virtual/augmented reality. In this sense, our mission aligns very well with broader University initiatives in neuroscience, vision, data/computer science and AR/VR. We also seek to train students for a variety of career paths, especially given the rapid growth of cognitive science approaches in industry.

Information about faculty and research can be found on the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences website.

AdmissionsLink to section

Applying to Doctoral ProgramsLink to section

The department accepts students only for full-time PhD study. All applications must be submitted online. A complete application to the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences should include the online application for graduate study, letters of recommendation (at least two), personal statement (statement of purpose), college transcripts, optional GRE scores (not required) and TOEFL scores, if applicable.

AcademicsLink to section

Master's Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

All BCS students must have completed 30 credits and pass the PhD qualifying exam before the end of their third year in order to receive a master’s degree en passant. Students choose between one of two formats for the exam:

  • Option 1: Six long essay questions
  • Option 2: Review opinion paper and three long essay questions

Doctoral Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

All BCS students must have completed 90 credits and are required to write a seven-page dissertation proposal to their PhD committee members in their fourth year. In their fifth year, students will defend their dissertation in a public presentation and answer questions from attendees. A closed session with the student’s thesis committee will question the student further on their dissertation.

Graduate Course TitlesLink to section

  • BCSC 433: Statistical Speech and Language Processing
  • BCSC 435: Natural Language Processing
  • BCSC 501: Language
  • BCSC 502: Cognition
  • BCSC 504: Sensory Systems
  • BCSC 505: Perception and Action
  • BCSC 508: Cognitive Neuroscience
  • BCSC 509: Advanced Methods in Brain and Cognitive Sciences
  • BCSC 511: Behavioral Methods in Cognitive Science
  • BCSC 512: Computational Methods in Cognitive Science
  • BCSC 513: Introduction to fMRI: Imaging, Computational Analysis, and Neural Representations
  • BCSC 515: Applied Introduction to Signal and Systems in Brain and Cognitive Sciences
  • BCSC 517: Topics in Data Analysis
  • BCSC 519: Statistics for Brain and Cognitive Sciences
  • BCSC 520: Intelligent Eye
  • BCSC 521: Auditory Perception
  • BCSC 528: Special Topics in Vision
  • BCSC 532: Probabilistic Theories of Cognitive Processing
  • BCSC 535: Natural Language Processing
  • BCSC 536: Machine Vision
  • BCSC 541: Neurons, Circuits, and Systems
  • BCSC 542: Neuropsychology
  • BCSC 543: Neurochemical Foundations of Behavior
  • BCSC 546: Biology of Mental Disorders
  • BCSC 547: Computational Neuroscience
  • BCSC 549: Developmental Neurobiology
  • BCSC 557: Advanced Computational Neuroscience
  • BCSC 564: Sign Language Structure
  • BCSC 566: Adaptive Language Processing
  • BCSC 569: Cognitive Development
  • BCSC 570: Introduction to Augmented and Virtual Reality
  • BCSC 571: Selected Topics in Augmented and Virtual Reality
  • BCSC 572: Practicum in Augmented and Virtual Reality School of Arts & Sciences Biology · 27
  • BCSC 582: Grant Writing in Brain and Cognitive Sciences
  • BCSC 599: Professional Development and Career Planning
  • BCSC 591: PhD Readings
  • BCSC 594: Research Internship
  • BCSC 595: PhD Research
  • BCSC 595A: PhD Research in Absentia
  • BCSC 598: Supervised Teaching Assistant
  • BCSC 895: Continuation of Master’s Enrollment
  • BCSC 897: Master’s Dissertation
  • BCSC 985: Leave of Absence
  • BCSC 986V: Full-Time Visiting Student
  • BCSC 990: Summer in Residence
  • BCSC 995: Continuation of Doctoral Enrollment
  • BCSC 997: Doctoral Dissertation
  • BCSC 999: Doctoral Dissertation
  • BCSC 999A: Doctoral Dissertation in Absentia
  • BCSC 999B: PhD in Absentia Abroad