|
Draws
students from all majors who are interested in an interdisciplinary
exploration of how the mind works. Students explore connections between
Philosophy, Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, Linguistics,
Neuroscience, and Anthropology, through the modeling of cognition and
consciousness in computers and robots.
This track is ideal for:
- All majors but draws primarily from psychology,
anthropology, biology, computer science, and philosophy. A minimum 3.0
GPA is required.
- Students from all majors who are interested in an
interdisciplinary exploration of how the mind works.
- Students who enjoy small classes and individual
attention from faculty members.
How does the track
operate?
Students complete the core requirements of the track
including 12 credits that can be applied toward your upper level G.E.
requirements. Six of these credits are from two courses and the remaining
six credits are applied to a two-semester thesis project (see descriptions
below). Upon completion of the thesis project, students present their
research findings to the public.
How do I enroll?
Email the Program Director, Dr. Katherine Makarec, makareck@wpunj.edu or call or
email Jan Pinkston, 973-720-3657 -- pinkstonj@wpunj.edu .
-OR-
Complete and return the Honors Cognitive Science application (PDF file) to the Honors College offices located in Raubinger Hall Rm 126-129.
CGSI 200 Cognitive Science: The
Interdisciplinary Study of the Mind
Cognitive Science is
an interdisciplinary study of the mind/brain. Students will gain an
understanding of how the different constituent areas (Psychology,
Anthropology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Philosophy and Linguistics)
are the rich foundation of Cognitive Science by directly interacting with
the experts in those fields. This will provide the student with
an overview of the field of cognitive science and the general
methodologies used within those fields.
Prerequisites: PSY 110, PHIL 110, and any Biology course
CGSI 300 Selected Topics in Cognitive
Science
In this course we will examine basic concepts and
problems found in several of the disciplines that make up cognitive
science. We will begin with an historical overview, a review of brain
anatomy and physiology, and explore the impact of the computer metaphor in
cognitive. We will the explore some of the issues within Cognitive Science
in depth. Topics will range from theories on how we construct our visual
world, to the representation of the self.
Prerequisite: CGSI 200
CGSI 401 Cognitive Science Honors Thesis
I
This is a research-based course. Although students will
have already been exposed to at least one research methods course prior to
the thesis course, an overview of the logic of research and the
methodology will be presented. Research methods open to the students
include computer modeling and simulations, experimental and
quasi-experimental designs, qualitative research methodologies, discourse
analysis and think-aloud protocols. The 'how to' of research will be
explored in detail. Students, in consultation with faculty, will select a
topic for their research project. The exploration of the research topic
will be the primary focus of the course. Formal oral and written
presentations of the research proposal will be completed.
Prerequisite: CGSI 300
CGSI 402 Cognitive Science Honors Thesis II
This is the second component to the Cognitive Science
Honors Thesis. Students will have already selected a research topic for
their thesis, and the literature review will have been completed. The
focus of this component of the thesis will be on data collection and
analysis and finally on the oral and written presentation of the students'
research.
Prerequisite: CGSI 401
About the Program Director : Dr. Katherine Makarec is Associate Professor of Psychology and the Psychology Department Chairperson at William Paterson University. Her principle research interests are in the mental representation of the real world and how emotion impacts on that representation.
|
