Cognitive Science is the interdisciplinary study of mind and cognition. It uses approaches and insights from psychology, computer science, philosophy, neuroscience, and linguistics, among other disciplines to develop information processing accounts of cognitive and mental functions. Central topics include perception, memory, reasoning, motor control, language, and the nature of consciousness. Research in the cognitive science program is problem-oriented.

Students pursuing a major in Cognitive Science will become familiar with the basic approaches of psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, computer science, and linguistics. Electives will allow students to gain specialized knowledge in a particular problem area of cognitive science. With guidance of an adviser in the program, the student will design a course of study concentrating on a particular problem that can be tackled by a variety of methods, such as computer simulations of psychological processes, computational linguistics, philosophy, and psychology.

To view Cognitive Science courses, click here.

Note that core courses *cannot* be NRO'd and no course can count as contributing to the major with a NR.

Please click on the informative VIDEOS below for more information about the Cognitive Science major.

Why Cognitive Science (watch Prof Phillips here)
Is it for me? - all about COGS 01
Where do I start? - Curriculum information

Courses recommended for First Year Students:

Cognitive Science 01 (COGS 01) - Fall term
Linguistics 01 (LING 01) - Fall term
Computer Science (COSC 01) - Fall term
Cognitive Science 2: (COGS 2) (prereq: PSYC 01, PSYC 06, or COGS 01)

COGS Major Requirement Worksheet

We hold a major declaration informational meeting in early February each year. If would like to put your name on the list to be contacted please email Elizabeth.D.Cassell@Dartmouth.edu.

Undergraduate Major Advisor 2025-2026: Samantha C. Wray, Samantha.C.Wray@dartmouth.edu