Cognitive Science: What is it, and How can I study it at RPI?

What is Cognitive Science?

Cognitive Science Cognitive science is the science of cognition, which covers reasoning, decision-making, learning, memory, perception, and action. It can thus be seen as the study of mind, but these minds can be human minds, animal minds, robot minds, or whatever minds. Cognitive science is an inherently interdisciplinary study; it is informed by the fields of philosophy, psychology, computer science, neuroscience, linguistics, anthropology, biology, education, mathematics, and robotics. Cognitive Science is a young science. In fact, the term ‘cognitive science’ was coined only in 1973.

Cognitive Science as one of the ‘Basic’ Sciences Personally, I believe that at some point in the future, cognitive science will be regarded as one of the ‘basic’ sciences, in line with physics, chemistry, and biology. Indeed, I believe that cognitive technology is going to be the next ‘revolution’ in technology.

Cognitive Ergonomics Designing tools with an eye for our cognitive abilities (and hence the constraints it imposes on that technology): cognitive ergonomically designed tools should ‘fit’ our abilities to take in and process information, and act on it. Better interfacing with Tom Cruise! Smart Cockpit (really?)

Cognitive Prosthetics Using EEG’s (brain waves measured at scalp), patients that can’t move their arms learn to control a cursor on a screen - Wadsworth Research Lab, Albany, NY Former blind, Jens Naumann can now see good enough to ‘drive slowly around in a parking lot’ thanks to a brain vision implant Seeing with SoundSee with tongue Sensory Substitution

Cognitive Augmentation Australian Art-Performer Stelarc has a third arm which he can control using his abdominal muscles

???

Cognitive Robotics Roomba Robocup PERI passes one section of the WAIS-R IQ test!

Artificial Intelligence

How can I study cognitive science at RPI?

Cognitive Science at RPI In , the Philosophy Department merged with the Psychology Department to form the Department of Philosophy, Psychology, and Cognitive Science. In 2003, this became the Department of Cognitive Science, one of only about 15 dedicated Departments of Cognitive Science in the world In 2004, we created a PhD program in Cognitive Science We are currently working on a B.S. undergraduate major in Cognitive Science; hopefully in place by Fall 2009 About 20 faculty 5 Laboratories: –CogWorks Lab (Cognitive Modeling) –RAIR Lab (Artificial Intelligence and Reasoning) –PandA Lab (Perception and Action, Virtual Reality) –Human-Level Intelligence Lab –Cognitive Architecture Lab

Minds & Machines Program For the past dozen or so years, the Minds & Machines Program has served as a undergraduate program in Cognitive Science Students become members by declaring a major or minor in Philosophy, Psychology, or (once in place) Cognitive Science in addition to their primary major (often computer science, but any major is welcome to the program)

What do I get out of the Minds & Machines Program? Advisement on which courses to take in order to pursue your specific interests within cognitive science Discussion of ideas in cognitive science and technology with other students and faculty Luncheons (free lunch!) during which guest speakers, faculty, and students share their latest ideas Get actively involved in any of our research labs Do science as well as engineering, investigate as well as design, think critically as well as creatively Be prepared for ‘cognitive revolution’ Develop professional connections to find internship and job opportunities (and letters of recommendation)

How do I Enroll in the Minds & Machines Program? Contact the Director: –Bram van Heuveln Orientation meeting: –sept. 3 (next wed.), noon, Sage 4101

Coming Soon: A BS in Cognitive Science! We are planning to offer a BS in Cognitive Science If all goes right, this starts in the fall of 2009 If interested, you can transfer into this major by that time.

Core Curriculum for BS in Cognitive Science Minds & Machines Introduction to Cognitive Science Introduction to Logic Cognitive Psychology Behavioral Neuroscience Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Cognitive Modeling Sensation and Perception Experimental Methods and Statistics Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence Undergraduate Thesis

What Can I do With a Cognitive Science BS? Rich Skill Set: –Programming/Modeling –Empirical Data Collection and Evaluation –Complex Systems Analysis –Critical Thinking –Communication Careers (industry, academics) in Computer Science (AI, robotics), Psychology (HCI, Neuroscience), Philosophy, Decision Sciences, IT, Economics, Anthropology, Education, Law, etc.

I am interested in the B.S. in Cognitive Science. What should I do? Contact the Director-Of-Undergraduate- Studies-In-Cognitive-Science-To-Be: –Bram van Heuveln