Cognitive Science is a new and growing multidisciplinary study of the mind. How does the mind work? This is the foundational tenet of Cognitive Science. It is the interdisciplinary study of human behavior and intelligence, with a focus on how information is perceived, processed and transformed. To learn how the mind determines behavior, faculty draws from anthropology, biology, psychology, artificial intelligence, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy and sociology.
For students interested in the liberal arts, the Cognitive Science major can be pursued as a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) program. Alternatively, it can be pursued as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program for students with a stronger interest in the mathematical, neuroscience and computational foundations of the discipline. The main objective of both programs is to give the student a broad grounding in the integrated sciences of the mind and to connect approaches from different fields.
Generally, it makes little to no difference whether you choose A.B. or B.S. For grad school, as long as you take the necessary prerequisite courses for the grad programs that interest you, an A.B. is usually sufficient if you'd rather not choose a B.S. emphasis.
You should plan courses and co-curricular activities that prepare you for your chosen field and/or grad programs, no matter what your major is. This strategy will shape you into a better candidate for a job or program than completing a B.S. major alone.
You may find that for some health programs, like medical school, you can efficiently complete some pre-health requirements by choosing the CGS-Neuroscience emphasis.
The College Unit Requirements limit the total number of P graded units that can count towards graduation.
→ Self-elected P graded units, switched from a letter grading option, cannot exceed one-fourth of your total units earned in residence at UC Davis
→ All P graded units, automatic and self-elected, cannot exceed one-third of your total units earned in residence at UC Davis
UC Davis degree requirements for a Bachelor of Arts include major requirements, general education, and other degree requirements, such as foreign language. Refer to the College of Letters and Science for more information about your non-major degree requirements.
UC Davis degree requirements for a Bachelor of Science include major requirements, general education, and other degree requirements, such as 90 units of Natural Science & Math. Refer to the College of Letters and Science for more information about your non-major degree requirements.
Note: In 2019, the computational emphasis adopted many changes to its requirements. If you were admitted to UC Davis prior to Fall 2019, you may choose to complete the former version of the major.
Cognitive Science majors require one restricted elective under Group A: "Any upper division CGS course."
Check out our list of Approved Upper Division CGS Courses to learn about the 20+ courses, CGS and non-CGS, that can satisfy this major requirement.
