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2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Cognitive Science

Craig Graci, Director
396 Shineman Center
315-312-2690
www.oswego.edu/cogsci

 

Cognitive Science is an interdisciplinary study of the mind which features exciting ideas associated with models of computation, mechanisms of evolution, and work in the fields of language and vision. By studying Cognitive Science at Oswego you will acquire a distinctive education which is at once steeped in intellectual tradition and informed by the most recent advances in technology.

While cognitive science has deep roots in long standing philosophical traditions, the modern origins of the field, per se, can be traced to synergies which emerged between the fields of psychology and artificial intelligence in the 1950’s. Revolutionary work in the field of structural linguistics and dramatic advances in research on vision throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s helped to propel “the mind’s new science” into the limelight of intellectual pursuit. The 1960’s, 1970’s, and 1980’s saw the biological ideas associated with genetic algorithms and neural networks developed into powerful discipline shaping forces. More recently, cultural anthropologists, cognitive musicologists, and many others are playing ever more substantial roles in helping to advance our understanding of the mysteries of the mind. Last but not least, the field of philosophy has, throughout the development of cognitive science, vigilantly examined and reexamined issues pertaining to metaphysics and the nature of knowledge in light of accruing insights.

As this short historical account suggests, a large coalition of vibrant disciplines are successfully bringing their own special methodological approaches and epistemological perspective to bear on the study of a wide range of important questions about mental phenomena. It is the region of convergence of these several disciplines on questions pertaining to cognition which is the realm of cognitive science.

Oswego offers majors leading to the Baccalaureate of Arts and the Baccalaureate of Science degrees in Cognitive Science, as well as a Cognitive Science Minor. Both the BA and the BS degree provide a sound grounding in the field of cognitive science through courses in which students explore cognitive concepts, methods of inquiry, and classic intellectual issues. Moreover, both degrees feature a nine credit hour “learning agreement” which provides an opportunity for the student to explore some particular aspect of the field in depth, to develop an interest into a wealth of focused knowledge. The BS degree is a strict extension of the BA degree consisting of additional course work in artificial intelligence and psychology. The minor provides a broad introduction to the field and can easily be tailored to nicely complement virtually any major.

With its dual emphasis on conceptual understanding and skill acquisition, and with its dual focus on intellectual tradition and advanced technology, the study of Cognitive Science at Oswego will position you well to either pursue graduate studies or for employment opportunities.

Cosponsoring Programs: Anthropology, Computer Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology

Programs

Major

Minor

Courses

Cognitive Science

  • COG 166 - Introduction to Cognitive Science

    This course will introduce the fundamental questions, findings and methods of cognitive science. The computational approach to cognition and the notion of abstract mental representation are introduced within the interdisciplinary framework of the field. Basic knowledge of cognition, computation, and evolution is surveyed. Symbol systems are described and their role in standard representations is discussed. Artificial neural networks are proposed as a model of both the brain and the mind. Linguistic models are introduced and philosophical challenges are discussed.

    Offered: Fall, Spring
    Credit: 3

  • COG 212 - Programming and Problem Solving

    This course is an introduction to computer programming that emphasizes patterns of thought associated with problem decompositional, patterning, incremental problem formulation, and other problem solving heuristics. Topics include list processing, string processing, recursion, interaction, and data modeling. Applications will be selected from disciplines that contribute to the field of Cognitive Science.

    Offered: Spring
    Credit: 3

  • COG 241 - Programming and Knowledge Representation

    A second level computer programming course that focuses on data structures (restricted lists, trees, graphs, sets, hash maps) and abstract data types in the service of programming semantic networks, rule-based systems, state space problem solvers, and games. Interaction will be featured. Generative processes will be programmed. GUI development will be explored.
     

    Prerequisite: COG 212 or CSC 212
    Offered: Fall
    Credit: 3

  • COG 266 - Brains, Minds and Consciousness

    This course is an introduction to neuroanatomy, neurology, evolution, genetics, brain imaging techniques, brain disorders, psychoactive substances, and the phenomenon of consciousness. All topics are contextualized within the study of the mind, assuring both a measure of course coherence and the cognitive science perspective. This course is expressly tailored to the needs of cognitive science students, but it will surely be of interest to students of linguistics, psychology, philosophy, biology and education as well.

    Offered: Fall, Spring
    Credit: 3

  • COG 316 - Cognitive Musicology

    This course centers on computer models of music and the musical mind which are based on theories drawn from the field of Cognitive Science. The course features musically oriented “generative symbol systems” housed in a language called Clay that is accessible on the Web. These systems serve to express assorted musicological theories in computer executable form. Thus, they serve as laboratories in which to conduct a wide variety of investigations within the realm of music cognition. The course also features the modeling of musical objects and processes in CLOS (Common Lisp with Objects). CLOS is a very popular medium for expressing cognitive musicological theories. A wealth of ideas will be explored within the context of CLOS, including the application of genetic algorithm and genetic programming techniques to evolutionary composition and theories of improvisation. Two CLOS packages, CMN (Common Music Notation) and CLM (Common Lisp Music) enable scoring and playing compositions, including experiment driven compositional fragments.

    Prerequisite: COG 166 OR CSC 212 OR COG 212
    Offered: Not on a regular basis
    Credit: 3

  • COG 356 - Generative Processes and Abstract Machines

    This course will survey Post Production Systems, Context Free Grammars, L-Systems (fractals), Finite State Machines, Turing Machines, Cellular Automata, Hidden Markov Models, Genetic Algorithms, Horn Clause Problem Solving (Resolution Inference) and Lambda Calculus. In short, it will expose the student to formalisms that are commonly used in the computational modeling of cognitive processes.

     

    Prerequisite: COG 241 or CSC 241
    Offered: Not on a regular basis
    Credit: 3

  • COG 366 - Computational Models of Cognitive Processes

    Introduction to the computational study of human and machine intelligence. Discussion of computational models, algorithms, and research in neural processing, vision, memory, learning, reasoning, and information processing.

    Prerequisite: CSC 241 or COG 241.
    Equivalent Course: CSC 366
    Offered: Fall semester in odd numbered year.
    Credit: 3

  • COG 376 - Computer Models of Language Representation and Processing

    This course opens with a short review of work done within the field of Natural Language Processing. It proceeds to establish a foundational frame-work, grounded in theories of knowledge representation and models of computation, through which the computer modeling of language and linguistic processes can be carefully and methodically examined. Emphasis is placed on symbolic systems, rather than connectionist systems. Network formalism for the representation and processing of language at various levels are discussed. Modern grammars and parsing techniques are presented. Models of discourse developed. Experiments on generative models of the creative use of language are designed and conducted.

    Prerequisite: COG 166
    Offered: Spring
    Credit: 3

  • COG 399 - Independent Study

    Individual study and research under the direction of cognitive science faculty.

    Prerequisite: COG 166 and at least junior standing.
    Offered: Not on a regular basis
    Credit: 1 to 6

  • COG 411 - Introduction into Neural Networks

    Explores the application and use of neural networks in a variety of areas in the social and natural sciences. Students will familiarize themselves with a number of different neural network architectures, and will learn to use simulation software to apply neural networks to problems of optimization and forecasting, as well as to explore intellectual issues related to neural networks as an explanatory alternative to the understanding of human behavior.

    Note: Course grades will be based on participation, successful completion on class exercises, and of applied projects chosen by the student.
    Prerequisite: Upper division standing.
    Equivalent Course: PSY 411.
    Offered: Spring
    Credit: 3

  • COG 435 - Cognitive Systems

    This course provides an introduction to and survey of developing areas of research and theorization in Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Science, with an emphasis on extending and applying those areas to other domains in Psychology. Potential topics include complex and dynamical systems, self-organization, situated cognition, joint action, and simulation.

    Prerequisite: PSY 290 and 305; or instructor permission.
    Equivalent Course: COG 435
    Offered: Not on a regular basis
    Credit: 3

  • COG 468 - Cognitive Science Capstone Seminar

    The course will feature interdisciplinary individual research projects of a relatively modest scale. Students will have wide latitude in negotiating a realm of study, as well as the approach to study of the selected topic, so long as the project stands in a justifiable relationship to the computational/representational assumption which unifies the field.

    Prerequisite: Senior status and either (1) a Cognitive Science major with all lower division core requirements of the Cognitive Science degree, and the Writing Across The curriculum and Oral Communication Across the Curriculum requirements met, or (2) a Computer Science major seeking the BS degree with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence together with CSC 366.
    Offered: Fall
    Credit: 3

  • COG 490 - Selected Topics in Cognitive Science

    Study of selected topics in the area of cognitive science providing opportunities for the study of material not covered in current course offerings. Special emphasis will be on emerging areas.

    Note: This may be repeated for credit with different content. Topics vary from semester to semester.
    Prerequisite: COG 166 and at least junior standing. The specific prerequisite(s) will be specified when the course is announced.
    Offered: Not on a regular basis
    Credit: 1 to 6

  • COG 499 - Independent Study

    Individual study and research under the direction of cognitive science faculty.

    Prerequisite: COG 166 and at least senior standing.
    Offered: Spring
    Credit: 1 to 6