Introduction to Cognitive Science

Here are links to the course home page and the formal TQA description.

Description

This course is principally aimed at third-year undergraduates in the School of Informatics, and at third- and fourth-year undergraduates in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. It is intended to give them an introduction to some of the current research issues in Cognitive Science, together with examples of the different research paradigms by which they might be investigated. Cognitive Science is an inherently interdisciplinary enterprise and this is reflected in the course, which brings together issues relating to the disciplines of Cognitive Psychology, Linguistics, Neuroscience, Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence.
Specific aims: Knowledge: broad knowledge of previous work in field; understanding of main issues; appreciation of difficulties. Methodology: understanding of diversity of methods appropriate in the field. State of the Art: awareness of emerging trends on cognitive research, and limitations of current solutions.

Syllabus

• The scope of Cognitive Science.
• Vision and imagery.
• Speech perception and production.
• Reading and writing.
• Memory, thinking and learning.
• Communication and co-ordination.
• Reasoning and problem solving, with and without tools.
• Rationality and evolutionary psychology.
• Emotion and consciousness.

Examination

The examination for this module will not be in a standard format. Instead, it will require two questions to be answered. At least one of these will require an essay-style response, based on the student's personal study, as developed via the tutorials. Suggestions for titles will be provided in the early part of the course and as different topics are introduced.

Assessed Coursework

The coursework comprises an individual report on independent reading for the task-based tutorials, due in week 6, and carrying 10% out of the 25% for coursework; and a group report on the task undertaken in task-based tutorials, due in week 10, and carrying the remaining 15% contribution.