Students planning on declaring a major must complete a major requirements form: 

 and email it to Samantha Wray (advisor) 2025-2026.

A. PREREQUISITES:

• COGS 1: Introduction to Cognitive Science (offered in the fall)
• one approved statistics course

B. CORE COURSES:

• Linguistics 1
• Computer Science 1
• Cognitive Science 02: Cognitive Psychology or mid-level PSYC course
• Cognitive Science 25: Philosophy of Cognitive Science,  or one of the following: 
  PHIL 27/PHIL 34/PHIL 35.  Note: all courses have prereq of one course in PHIL.

C. FOCUS AREAS:

Each COGS major will have to satisfy four courses in a focus area.

Courses must be drawn from at least 2 departments. (Approved Focus Areas*) for approved focus areas and selected courses):

Each student's four focus area courses must be drawn from at least 2 departments and must include no more that one course at the introductory level. It is highly recommended that the four courses include at least one of the courses listed in bold on the approved course list for the chosen focus area.

Focus area:

• course I
• course II
• course III
• course IV
• alternate course I
• alternate course II

COGS Focus Area Course List

Note: If you have questions about the focus areas or if you would like to propose a modification, please contact: Samanatha.C.Wray@Dartmouth.edu (advisor 2025-2026)

D. Experimental Methods Requirement:

• one approved Methods Course

E. Seminar and Culminating Activity:

• Major seminar in Cognitive Science, COGS 80. Majors must take this at least once in their Dartmouth career.

AND:

• Culminating activity. Either:

a) COGS 86, 87: Senior Honors Thesis
b) COGS 85: a one or two term independent study project 
c) COGS 81: Major seminar in Cognitive Science II, (a second term of COGS 80 with an advanced term paper)