Cognitive Sciences
B.S. Department of Cognitive Sciences · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
The B.S. in Cognitive Sciences exposes students to the theoretical foundations and experimental and computational methods of cognitive science and neuroscience research. Coursework is highly interdisciplinary incorporating (a) Cognitive Psychology, (b) Cognitive Neuroscience, (c) Mathematics, (d) Statistics, (e) Computer Science, and (f) Natural Sciences.
NOTE: Students may complete the B.S. in Psychology or the B.S. in Cognitive Sciences. You may not double major within the majors offered by the department.
Requirements
All students must meet the University Requirements. All students must meet the School Requirements.
Departmental Requirements for the Major
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A. Required Major Courses | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| COGS 9A & COGS 9B | Psychology Fundamentalsand Psychology Fundamentals | |
| COGS 10A & COGS 10B & COGS 10C | Exploratory Data Analysisand Probability and Inferenceand Statistical Models | |
| COGS 14P | Scientific Python for Research | |
| orI&C SCI 31 | Introduction to Programming | |
| MATH 2A & MATH 2B | Single-Variable Calculus Iand Single-Variable Calculus II | |
| COGS 109W | Cognitive Sciences Research Seminar | |
| B. Cognitive Sciences Core | ||
| Select three from the following: | ||
| COGS 105 | Introduction to Statistical Learning | |
| COGS 106 | Computational Lab Skills | |
| COGS 107 | Cognitive Modeling | |
| COGS 108 | Neural Analytics | |
| Select three upper-division core courses from the following: | ||
| COGS 130A | Perception and Sensory Processes | |
| COGS 130N | Neuroscience of Perception | |
| COGS 140J | Judgment and Decision Making | |
| COGS 140L | Learning and Decision Making | |
| COGS 140M | Human Memory | |
| COGS 150 | Psychology of Language | |
| COGS 160A | Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| COGS 160D | Brain Disorders and Behavior | |
| C. Research Methods | ||
| Select three from the following: | ||
| COGS 112A & COGS 112LA | Experimental Psychologyand Experimental Psychology Laboratory | |
| COGS 112BW & COGS 112LB | Advanced Experimental Psychologyand Advanced Experimental Psychology Laboratory | |
| COGS 112C & COGS 112LC | Research in Experimental Psychologyand Research in Experimental Psychology | |
| COGS 112D | Research Design | |
| COGS 112E & COGS 112LE | Learning and Memoryand Learning and Memory Lab | |
| COGS 112M & COGS 112LM | Research Methods in Psychologyand Research Methods in Psychology Laboratory | |
| COGS 112N & COGS 112LN | Introduction to fMRI Researchand fMRI Research Laboratory | |
| COGS 112O | Computational Modeling of Behavior | |
| COGS 112P & COGS 112LP | Research in Perception and Psychophysicsand Research in Perception and Psychophysics Laboratory | |
| COGS 112R & COGS 112LR | Cognitive Roboticsand Cognitive Robotics Laboratory | |
| COGS 119 | Special Topics in Research Methodologies | |
| D. Background in Science | ||
| Select six from the following: | ||
| BIO SCI 35 | The Brain and Behavior | |
| BIO SCI 36 | Drugs and the Brain | |
| BIO SCI 37 | Brain Dysfunction and Repair | |
| BIO SCI 38 | Mind and Memory | |
| COGS 14M | MATLAB Programming | |
| COGS 14P | Scientific Python for Research 1 | |
| COGS 60N | Neurobiology of Cognition | |
| COGS 89 | Special Topics in Lower-Division Cognitive Sciences | |
| I&C SCI 31 | Introduction to Programming 1 | |
| I&C SCI 32 | Programming with Software Libraries | |
| I&C SCI 33 | Intermediate Programming | |
| LSCI 3 | Introduction to Linguistics | |
| LSCI 10 | Introduction to Phonology | |
| LSCI 20 | Introduction to Syntax | |
| LSCI 51 | Acquisition of Language | |
| LPS 30 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | |
| LPS 31 | Introduction to Inductive Logic | |
| MATH 2D | Multivariable Calculus I | |
| MATH 2E | Multivariable Calculus II | |
| MATH 3A | Introduction to Linear Algebra | |
| MATH 3D | Elementary Differential Equations | |
| PHYSICS 3A & PHYSICS 3B & PHYSICS 3C | Basic Physics Iand Basic Physics IIand Basic Physics III | |
| or | ||
| PHYSICS 7C & PHYSICS 7D & PHYSICS 7E | Classical Physicsand Classical Physicsand Classical Physics | |
| with labs PHYSICS 7LC and PHYSICS 7LD | ||
| PHYSICS 15 | Physics of Music | |
| STATS 7 | Basic Statistics | |
| STATS 110 | Statistical Methods for Data Analysis I 3 | |
| STATS 111 | Statistical Methods for Data Analysis II 3 | |
| STATS 112 | Statistical Methods for Data Analysis III 3 | |
| NOTE: Careful selection should be made in order to satisfy general education requirements and prerequisites for upper-division courses. | ||
| E. Upper-Division Core Electives | ||
| Select seven courses from the following list. Up to three courses may also be taken from section B and C: | ||
| COGS 120A | Abnormal Psychology | |
| COGS 120D | Developmental Psychology | |
| COGS 120H | History of Psychology | |
| COGS 120P | Personality Theories | |
| COGS 131A | Vision | |
| COGS 131B | Hearing | |
| COGS 161 | Language and the Brain | |
| COGS 161H | Hearing and the Brain | |
| COGS 162N | Human Neuropsychology | |
| COGS 189 | Special Topics in Upper-Division Cognitive Sciences | |
| COMPSCI 171 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | |
| COMPSCI 178 | Machine Learning and Data-Mining | |
| COMPSCI 183 | Introduction to Computational Biology | |
| LSCI 102 | Formal Languages and Automata | |
| STATS 110 | Statistical Methods for Data Analysis I 3 | |
| STATS 111 | Statistical Methods for Data Analysis II 3 | |
| STATS 112 | Statistical Methods for Data Analysis III 3 | |
- If not used to satisfy Introductory Programming Requirement.
- If accepted into the Honors Program, COGS H101A-COGS H101B-COGS H101C may be used for three of the seven elective courses under section E.
- Can be used to fulfill Requirement D or E but not both.
Sample Program
Sample Program - Freshman with no AP Credits
Freshman
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| COGS 9A | COGS 9B | Science |
| MATH 2A | MATH 2B | Elective |
| Science | Science | Science |
| General Education | General Education | General Education |
Sophomore
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| COGS 10A | COGS 10B | COGS 10C |
| COGS 14P | UD Core | COGS 109W |
| Science | Science | Science |
| General Education | General Education | General Education |
Junior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| UD Core | UD Core | UD Elective |
| Research Methods | Research Methods | Research Methods |
| Research Methods Lab | Research Methods Lab | Research Methods Lab |
| COGS 108 | COGS 108 | COGS 107 |
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| UD Elective | UD Elective | UD Elective |
| UD Elective | UD Elective | UD Elective |
| Elective | Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective | Elective |
Sample Program - Transfer Student with General Education, MATH 2A-MATH 2B, and three lower-division science courses completed
Junior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| COGS 10A | COGS 10B | COGS 10C |
| COGS 14P | UD Elective | COGS 109W |
| Science | Science | Science |
| UD Core | UD Core | UD Core |
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| COGS 108 | COGS 106 | COGS 107 |
| Research Methods | Research Methods | Research Methods |
| Research Methods Lab | Research Methods Lab | Research Methods Lab |
| UD Elective | UD Elective | UD Elective |
| UD Elective | UD Elective | UD Elective |
Honors Program
Honors Program in Cognitive Sciences and Psychology
The Honors Program in Cognitive Sciences and Psychology is an advanced educational and research program for outstanding undergraduate students in these majors.
The program emphasizes advanced competence in scientific research and allows participants the opportunity to pursue advanced work in independent research, in addition to earning honors upon graduation. The program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing graduate study or seeking challenging research experiences as a capstone to their undergraduate experience. All Cognitive Sciences and Psychology majors who meet the minimum eligibility requirements are welcome to apply.
To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria: 1) be a cognitive sciences or psychology major, 2) have completed the psych fundamental series, 3) be in junior standing (at minimum), and 4) have a 3.2 minimum GPA within the major.
The application consists of the following: 1) completed application form, 2) an analytical writing sample, 3) a one-page research plan, and 4) a letter of recommendation from a faculty member who has agreed to oversee the proposed research project. The call for applications is sent out in spring quarter for admittance in the subsequent fall quarter.
Students who participate in the program are expected to enroll in the Honor Seminar series (COGS H101A-COGS H101B-COGS H101C) in fall, winter, and spring, respectively. Honors students must successfully complete a senior honors thesis and present their research at the department’s honors poster symposium held in spring as part of the required course work in COGS H101C
The honors seminar series may be used to satisfy three of the courses required under the Electives Requirement (Requirement E) for both majors.