Cognitive science is a field that studies intelligent systems, how they are structured, how the different parts of such systems work, and how the parts interact to produce what we normally call thinking. Typical topics we look at are knowledge representation, reasoning, memory, language, perception and emotions. Psychology is of course an important part of this, but equally important are the artificially intelligent systems implemented on computers. The computer gives us the opportunity to shape models of the various aspects of intelligence and simulate these in order to gain a better understanding of what intelligence might be.

Cognitive science is interdisciplinary and incorporates elements from computer science, information science, linguistics, psychology and philosophy. These sciences have their own perspectives on the phenomena one studies in cognitive science and make various contributions to their understanding. Central to the subject are logic, linguistics, cognitive psychology and philosophy of mind. Knowledge of computer programming is important both as a method and from a theoretical perspective. Other important elements and methodological components are covered such as statistics and discrete structures.

In the bachelor's program in cognitive science, you can, among other things, study the following topics:

Programming

Linguistics

Text processing and data

Biological and cognitive psychology

Philosophy of mind

Logic

Artificial intelligence

A candidate with a completed program must have the following total learning outcomes defined in knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

Candidates

• have a broad theoretical understanding of how the cognitive system is structured
• understand how systems work, both in humans and in computers
• understand how to program and experiment with cognitive systems in computers using techniques from logic, artificial intelligence and computational linguistics
• have a humanistic perspective on cognition from an introduction to cognitive psychology and philosophy of mind

Diligence:

Candidates

• can reflect critically on the understanding we have of cognitive processes and how they are structured
• have skills and experience in programming and data handling aimed at developing artificially intelligent computer systems, reasoning software and language technology
• can analyze technologies suitable for this type of computer system
• can perform statistical analysis of data on cognitive phenomena

General competence:

Candidates

• can analyze, evaluate and understand cognitive processes, language, and other complex phenomena related to human behavior
• can work in the field of cognitive science, preferably with specialization in informatics, information science or philosophy
• can contribute as an ICT system developer in various types of roles, in a range that includes everything from communication with users to advanced technical development
• can collaborate in group and project work
• can formulate written reports and documentation and be responsible for oral presentation of own work

1st semester

• KOGVIT101 Introduction to the Cognitive Sciences
• INF100 Introduction to programming
• EXFAC00SK Examen facultatum, Language and Communication

2nd semester

• DASPSTAT Statistics and cognition research
• LOG110 Introduction to formal logic
• LOG111 First-order logic
• INF101 Object Oriented Programming

3rd semester

• LING122 Language and cognition
• INFO282 Knowledge Representation and Reasoning
• INF102 Algorithms, data structures and programming

4th semester

• FIL105 Philosophy of mind
• PSYK120 Biological and Cognitive Psychology
• EXPHIL-PSSEM / EXPHIL-PSEKS Examen philosophicum - seminar or school exam model.

5th and 6th semester

In the fifth semester, you choose a specialization in computer science, information science or philosophy:

Information science

• INFO180 Methodology in Artificial Intelligence
• 40 credits INFO course at 100 and 200 level (not INFO100 and INFO132)
• 10 optional credits

Informatics

• INF122 Functional programming
• MAT111 Basic course in mathematics I
• INF223 Category Theory
• INF227 Introduction to logic
• MAT121 Linear algebra
• Optional subject (preferably within data, mathematics, or INFO180)

Philosophy

• FIL121 History of philosophy from the Enlightenment to the 20th century
• FIL129 Philosophical classics
• FIL120 History of philosophy from antiquity to the Enlightenment
• FIL251 Bachelor thesis in philosophy

Optional subject

If you do not want to take one of the three specializations (information science, informatics or philosophy), you can apply to choose another subject in the fifth and sixth semester. Contact the study supervisor if you have questions or need guidance on subject choice.

The bachelor's program in cognitive science will qualify you for admission to the master's program in information science (MASV-INFO), informatics (MAMN-INF), philosophy (MAHF-FILO), or joint master's program in program development (MAMN-PROG), depending on what you choose. specialization.

The following course is included in the admission basis for the master's degree in information science:

Curriculum in Cognitive Science from before 2019: KOGVIT101, INF100, INFO102, INFO282, INFO283, 50 credits in information science (cannot be INFO100, or INFO132).

Curriculum in Cognitive Science from 2019 and later: KOGVIT101, INF100, INF101, INFO282, INF122, INFO180, 50 credits in information science (can not be INFO100, or INFO132).

See the study program pages for the master's program for more information on admission requirements.

Through the study of cognitive science, you will acquire both a professionally relevant IT competence and an academic ability for critical analysis and innovation. It gives you double skills that are in great demand in the job market. The program qualifies you for teaching and work in various subjects depending on the specialization you choose in the third year of the program.

The program can also be expanded with a master's program in several fields, which qualifies you for research and teaching within the university and college sector.

In the last part of the study program, you can specialize based on your interests. You can choose to learn information processing and programming, which are sought after in many positions in industry and in the public sector. You can also orientate yourself more towards technological innovations within various artificial intelligence topics, something that will give you skills that are in demand at companies that invest in such technology. Players such as Google, Microsoft, IBM and Apple are today very concerned with artificial intelligence.

Department of Information and Media Studies

studieveileder@ifi.uib.no