Cognitive Science > Undergraduate > Cognitive Science Major

Our cognitive science undergraduate program reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the field, allowing students to approach the study of the mind and brain from multiple perspectives. Students gain broad knowledge of the field as a whole, plus a greater depth of the understanding in two of the sub-disciplines within the field. Training emphasizes not only learning about the principal theories and evidence, but also development of the conceptual and practical skills needed for understanding and conducting theoretical and empirical work in the field.

Did you know? JHU bachelor degree recipients receive a 50% reduction in fall/spring tuition if admitted to our MA program in Cognitive Science.

Requirements

Detailed major requirements are available in the Academic Catalog. First-year and new transfer students should use the current Academic Catalog. All other students should use the archived catalog published the year they entered Johns Hopkins. 

Note: Starting July 2023, the Office of the Registrar is in the process of implementing a new degree audit system. Fillable PDF degree checklists are being utilized for degree requirements during the transition. Click here for details.

Cognitive science majors distribute their coursework across five areas, with special emphasis on two areas chosen as focal areas, providing both breadth and depth of knowledge. Majors thus acquire a broad perspective which will enable them to situate particular research disciplines within the overall study of the mind/brain. The three areas not chosen for depth are loosely referred to as ‘non- focal’ areas for advising purposes.

Program of Study (POS) tags are used in SIS to identify courses inside and outside the department that fulfill our focal areas.

Focal AreasPOS-Tags
Cognitive Psychology/NeuropsychologyCOGS-COGPSY
Linguistics (also see Linguistics Minor)COGS-LING
Computational Approaches to CognitionCOGS-COMPCG
NeuroscienceCOGS-NEURO
Philosophy of MindCOGS-PHLMND

Majors must also complete two math courses. See course catalog for details.

Focal Area Course List

These are courses that qualify for each of the five areas. To inquire whether a course can be added to this list, contact our Director of Undergraduate Studies and provide a course description and syllabus. Courses change over time and some are not offered every year, just as courses offered in a given term are subject to change, withdrawal, etc.

Course No.Course TitleFocal Area POS TagsSemester
AS.050.102Language and MindCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-LINGFall 2023
AS.050.105Introduction to Cognitive NeuropsychologyCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEUROFall 2023
AS.050.107
AS.001.189
AS.365.106.03**		Language and AdvertisingCOGS-LING
AS.050.112
AS.001.146
AS.365.106.02**		Nature, Nurture, CognitionCOGS-COGPSY
AS.050.116Visual CognitionCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.050.121Theory of Mind and the Science of “Mindreading”COGS-COGPSY; COGS-PHLMND
AS.050.135Speech & VoiceCOGS-LING
AS.050.202Introduction to Computational Cognitive ScienceCOGS-COMPCGFall 2023; Spring 2024
AS.050.203Cognitive NeuroscienceCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.050.206BilingualismCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-LINGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.050.233Lost in SpaceCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-LING; COGS-COMPCG
AS.050.236NeurolinguisticsCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEUROFall 2023
AS.050.239
(prev. AS.050.339)		Cognitive DevelopmentCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.050.240The World of LanguageCOGS-LING
AS.050.244Cognitive Neuroscience LabCOGS-NEUROFall 2023
AS.050.311Written Language: Normal Processing and DisordersCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEURO
AS.050.312Cognitive Neuroimaging Methods in High-Level VisionCOGS-NEURO; COGS-COGPSYFall 2023
AS.050.315Cognitive Neuropsychology of Visual PerceptionCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEUROSpring 2024
AS.050.317 Semantics ICOGS-LINGFall 2023
AS.050.320Syntax ICOGS-LINGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.050.325Phonology ICOGS-LINGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.050.326Foundations of Cognitive ScienceCOGS-COMPCG; COGS-PHLMNDSpring 2023
AS.050.332Developmental Cognitive NeuroscienceCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEURO
AS.050.333PsycholinguisticsCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-LING
AS.050.337Reading the Mind: Computational Cognitive Neuroscience of VisionCOGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.050.342Windows to the MindCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEURO
AS.050.344Written Language and the BrainCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEURO
AS.050.346Decoding the BrainCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEURO
AS.050.348First Language AcquisitionCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-LINGFall 2023
AS.050.349Second Language AcquisitionCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-LINGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.050.252
(prev. AS.050.352		Appling Cognitive Neuro Science to Artificial Intelligence Part ICOGS-COGPSY; COGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEURO
AS.050.253
(prev. AS.050.353)		Applying Cognitive Neuroscience to Artificial Intelligence Part IICOGS-COGPSY; COGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEUROSpring 2023
AS.050.358Language and ThoughtCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-LINGFall 2023
AS.050.360Computational PsycholinguisticsCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-LING; COGS-COMPCG
AS.050.365Cracking the code: Theory and modeling of information coding in neural activityCOGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEURO
AS.050.370 Mathematical Models of LanguageCOGS-LING; COGS-COMPCG
AS.050.371Bayesian InferenceCOGS-COMPCGFall 2023
AS.050.372Foundations of Neural Network TheoryCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2024
AS.050.375
EN.601.485		Probabilistic Models of the Visual CortexCOGS-COMPCGFall 2023
AS.050.383Computational Social CognitionCOGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEUROFall 2023
AS.050.822Research Seminar in Syntax (requires instructor approval for UG enrollment)COGS-LING
AS.080.105Introduction to NeuroscienceCOGS-NEURO
AS.080.203Cognitive NeuroscienceCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEURO
AS.080.301Behavioral Assessment of Animal Models of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric DisordersCOGS-NEUROFall 2023
AS.080.250Neuroscience LabCOGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Fall 2023; Spring 2024
AS.080.304Neuroscience Learning and MemoryCOGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.080.305Neuroscience: Cellular and Systems ICOGS-NEURO
AS.080.306Neuroscience: Cellular and Systems IICOGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.080.308NeuroeconomicsCOGS-NEUROFall 2023
AS.080.312The Making of a Cognitive MapCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEURO
AS.080.316Prefrontal Cortex- Computational Models and NeurophysiologyCOGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEUROFall 2023
AS.080.320The Auditory SystemCOGS-NEURO
AS.080.321Computational NeuroscienceCOGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.080.328Behavioral Neuroscience LabCOGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.080.339Cognitive Neuroscience of AgingCOGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.080.345Great Discoveries in NeuroscienceCOGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.080.348Science of LearningCOGS-NEURO
AS.080.355Computational Principles of Biological VisionCOGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEUROFall 2023
AS.080.357Developmental NeuroscienceCOGS-NEURO
AS.080.360Diseases and Disorders of the Nervous SystemCOGS-NEUROFall 2023
AS.080.370The CerebellumCOGS-NEURO
AS.130.218 Language and SocietyCOGS-LING
AS.145.105Minds and Machines (FA19, SP20 only)COGS-PHLMND
AS.150.118Introduction to Formal LogicCOGS-PHLMNDSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.150.129The Theory of KnowledgeCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.139Introduction to Philosophy of MindCOGS-PHLMNDSpring 2024
AS.150.136Philosophy of ScienceCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.140Minds, Bodies, and PersonsCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.193Philosophy of Language Seminar: Proper Names and Definite DescriptionsCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.205Introduction to the History of Modern PhilosophyCOGS-PHLMNDSpring 2024
AS.150.210Minds, Consciousness, and ComputersCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.215Problems with Knowledge, Evidence, and ActionCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.216Minds & MachinesCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.223Formal Methods of Philosophy COGS-PHLMNDFall 2023
AS.150.245Philosophy of MindCOGS-PHLMNDFall 2023
AS.150.254Philosophy of MemoryCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.330Decisions, Games & Social ChoiceCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.340Philosophy of PsychologyCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.345Me, Myself, and I: Personal Identity and the SelfCOGS-PHLMNDFall 2023
AS.150.375 Majors Seminar: Philosophy of Language (Proper Names and DescriptionsCOGS-LINGSpring 2023
AS.150.411Modal PsychologyCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.415Typefaces and MeaningCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.423Theology of KnowledgeCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.427Aristotelian Philosophical PsychologyCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.429Topics in Logic: Ontology and Knowledge RepresentationCOGS-COMPCG
AS.150.432Philosophy of MemoryCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.434Formal Methods of PhilosophyCOGS-PHLMNDFall 2023
AS.150.436Philosophy of Psychology (SP09, SP11 only)COGS-PHLMND
AS.150.451Animal Points of ViewCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.457Color and Color PerceptionCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.467Philosophic LogicCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.471Philosophy and AICOGS-PHLMNDSpring 2024
AS.150.476Philosophy & Cognitive ScienceCOGS-PHLMND
AS.150.490Mutual RecognitionCOGS-PHLMNDFall 2023
AS.150.688 Philosophy of Psychology (instructor permission required)COGS-PHLMND
AS.200.101Introduction to PsychologyCOGS-COGPSYFall 2023
AS.200.110Introduction to Cognitive PsychologyCOGS-COGPSYSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.200.130Good VibrationsCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEURO
AS.200.132Introduction to Developmental PsychologyCOGS-COGPSYFall 2023
AS.200.141Foundations of Brain, Behavior, & CognitionCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Fall 2023; Spring 2024
AS.200.163Gamechangers: Conceptual Breakthroughs in NeuroscienceCOGS-NEURO
AS.200.211Sensation and PerceptionCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEURO
AS.200.238Primate MindsCOGS-COGPSYFall 2023
AS.200.304Neuroscience of Decision MakingCOGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.200.311Sensory Representations in the Brain: Maps, Modules & Distributed CodingCOGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.200.313Models of Mind and BrainCOGS-COMPCGFall 2023
AS.200.316Thought and PerceptionCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-PHLMND
AS.200.318Quantitative Methods for Brian SciencesCOGS-NEURO
AS.200.322Clinical NeuropsychologyCOGS-COGPSYFall 2023
AS.200.324How to Build a Mind: Lessons from BabiesCOGS-COGPSYFall 2023
AS.200.328Methods for Studying Infant MindsCOGS-COGPSYFall 2023
AS.200.329Real World Human Data: Analysis & VisualizationCOGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEURO
AS.200.330Human and Machine IntelligenceCOGS-COMCGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.200.332Seminar in Theoretical NeuroscienceCOGS-COMPCG; COGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
AS.200.334Human Memory PsychologyCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEURO
AS.200.335How Does the Brain Predict the Future?COGS-COGPSY
AS.200.336Foundations of MindCOGS-COGPSY; COGS-PHLMND
AS.200.357Advanced Statistical MethodsCOGS-COMPCGFall 2023
AS.200.361Tests and MeasurementsCOGS-COGPSY
AS.200.368Altered States of ConsciousnessCOGS-NEURO
AS.200.369Neuroscience of Motivation and RewardCOGS-NEURO
AS.200.370Functional Human NeuroanatomyCOGS-NEURO
AS.200.376PsychopharmocologyCOGS-NEUROFall 2023
AS.200.380Neurobiology of Human CognitionCOGS-NEURO
AS.200.385Mind, Brain, & Experience (prev. AS.050.363)COGS-COGPSY; COGS-NEUROFall 2023
AS.200.386Animal CognitionCOGS-COGPSY
AS.211.311Introduction to Romance LinguisticsCOGS-LING
AS.250.205Introduction to ComputingCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Fall 2023; Spring 2024
AS.376.371
PY.610.637**		Topics in Music Cognition ICOGS-COGPSY
AS.376.372
PY.610.638**		Topics in Music Cognition IICOGS-COGPSY
EN.500.112Gateway Computing: JAVACOGS-COMPCG*Spring 2023; Fall 2023; Spring 2024
EN.500.113Gateway Computing: PythonCOGS-COMPCG*Spring 2023; Fall 2023; Spring 2024
EN.500.114Gateway Computing: MatLabCOGS-COMPCG*Spring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.500.200Computing for Engineers and ScientistsCOGS-COMPCG*
EN.520.315Introduction to Information Processing of Sensory SignalsCOGS-COMPCG
EN.520.412Machine Learning for Signal ProcessingCOGS-COMPCG
EN.520.414Image Processing and Analysis ICOGS-COMPCGFall 2023
EN.520.415Image Processing and Analysis IICOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.520.433Medical Image AnalysisCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.520.438Deep LearningCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.553.426Introduction to Stochastic ProcessesCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.553.436Introduction to Data ScienceCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Fall 2023; Spring 2024
EN.553.493Mathematical Image AnalysisCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.580.200Introduction to Scientific ComputingCOGS-COMPCG*
EN.580.439Models of Physiological Processes in NeuronCOGS-NEUROSpring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.107Introductory Programming in JavaCOGS-COMPCG*
EN.601.220Intermediate ProgrammingCOGS-COMPCG*Spring 2023; Fall 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.226Data StructuresCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Fall 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.229Computer System FundamentalsCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Fall 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.230Mathematical Foundations for Computer ScienceCOGS-COMPCGFall 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.231Automata and Computation TheoryCOGS-COMPCG
EN.601.320
EN.601.420		Parallel ProgrammingCOGS-COMPCGFall 2023
EN.601.365Knowledge Discovery from TextCOGS-COMPCG
EN.601.404Brain & ComputationCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.426Principles of ProgrammingCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.428Compilers & InterpretersCOGS-COMPCGFall 2023
EN.601.433Introduction to AlgorithmsCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.461Computer VisionCOGS-COMPCG
EN.601.463Algorithms for Sensor-Based RoboticsCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Fall 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.464Artificial IntelligenceCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.465Natural Language ProcessingCOGS-LING; COGS-COMPCGFall 2023
EN.601.467Introduction to Human Language TechnologyCOGS-LING; COGS-COMPCGFall 2023
EN.601.468Machine TranslationCOGS-LING; COGS-COMPCGFall 2023
EN.601.471Natural Language Processing: Self-Supervised ModelsCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.475Machine LearningCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Fall 2023; Spring 2024
EN.601.476Machine Learning: Data to ModelsCOGS-COMPCG
EN.601.482Machine Learning: Deep LearningCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023; Fall 2023
EN.601.490Introduction to Human-Computer InteractionCOGS-COMPCGFall 2023
EN.601.491Human-Robot InteractionCOGS-COMPCGSpring 2023
EN.601.783Vision as Bayesian Inference (instructor permission only)COGS-COMPCGSpring 2023
* At most, students may apply one of these computational courses toward their requirements.
** These course numbers do not automatically populate the major's Degree Audit. Contact the DUS or program coordinator to apply them.