University of Michigan Launches new cognitive science major

Cognitive Science

University of Michigan has launched a new major aimed at students who want to study how the brain and mind work: Cognitive Science.

The major combines coursework from existing U-M departments, including linguistics, philosophy and psychology.

More than 150 students are enrolled in the introductory course, CogSci 200, this semester, according to a U-M press release.

Students majoring in the subject select one of four tracks to study: language and cognition; computation and cognition; philosophy and cognition and decision and cognition. They are required to take a senior capstone course.

“The cognitive science major will provide students for the first time with the opportunity to learn about this new and important interdisciplinary field of inquiry regarding the nature of the human mind and brain as well as the implications concerning our behavior in multiple domains,” Sam Epstein, director of the cognitive science major, said in a release.

“It will also provide opportunities for new cross-disciplinary research and teaching collaborations between the three co-sponsoring departments as well as other departments offering courses directly relevant to cognitive science.”