Box 951563
Los Angeles, CA
90095-1563
ph: 310.825.2961
fax: 310.206.5895
Cognitive Science Minor
The Cognitive Science Minor, open to all UCLA students other than Cognitive Science Majors, is designed to introduce students to cognitive science topics as addressed in a number of different disciplines—such as biology, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, and psychology—while also allowing students to pursue a more in-depth study within specific areas of cognitive science of their own choosing.
The minor consists of three parts: I. Three courses to fulfill the Background Requirement. II. Three courses within a chosen Primary Cluster. Students select a Primary Cluster from one of four possible clusters of upper-division courses that have been organized to reflect different aspects of cognitive science. III. Two additional courses from one or more of the remaining clusters to fulfill the Secondary Cluster requirement. Thus, a total of eight courses are required to complete the minor, three background courses and five courses across the Primary and Secondary Clusters.
- All minor courses must be taken for a letter grade.
- An overall grade point average of 2.00 (C) is required in the Cognitive Science Minor courses.
- No more than two courses may be applied toward both your major and the Cognitive Science Minor.
- The minor will be indicated on your transcript and diploma after you petition and complete all requirements.
- After you have completed at least two of the courses from the Background Requirements, you may petition to add the Cognitive Science Minor. Petition in the Undergraduate Advising Office, 1531 Franz.
I. Background Requirements:
| Three (3) Background Courses |
| Select three courses, one from each box: |
| Psychology 85 |
| Computer Science 2 or Linguistics 1 or Linguistics 20 or Psychology 15 or Psychology 100B |
| PIC 10A or Evidence of PIC 10A (C++) programming experience (by petition) |
II. Primary Cluster Requirements:
| Three (3) Primary Cluster Courses |
| Select three courses* in one of the following clusters: |
Human Cognition Cluster Computation and Modeling Cluster Biological Basis of Cognition Cluster Mind and Language Cluster |
*Courses for each cluster are listed below.
III. Secondary Cluster Requirements:
| Two (2) Secondary Cluster Courses |
| Select any two courses* from a cluster other than your Primary Cluster. The two courses do not have to come from the same cluster. |
*Courses for each area are listed below.
Course Listings for Each Cluster
Courses listed as required pertain only if selected as your Primary Cluster.
Human Cognition Cluster
| One required course: |
| Psychology 121 |
| Two additional courses from the following: |
Psychology 120A Psychology 120B Psychology 124A-J Psychology 133B Psychology 133C Psychology 133E |
Computation and Modeling Cluster
| Three courses from the following: |
Psychology 186A-D Computer Science 161 Bio Math 108 |
Biological Basis of Cognition Cluster
| Three courses from the following: |
Linguistics C135 Neuroscience 102 Psychology 115 Psychology 116 Psychology M117C Psychology 119B Psychology 119F Psychology M119L Psychology M119N Psychology 160 |
Mind and Language Cluster
| Three courses from the following: |
Linguistics 120A Linguistics 120B Linguistics 125 Linguistics 130 Linguistics 132 Linguistics C135 Linguistics 185A Philosophy 124-127B Philosophy 129 Philosophy 170 Philosophy 172 Psychology 124A |
Please note that many courses have enrollment restrictions and others are rarely offered. See the appropriate department for details and be sure to check the Schedule of Classes regarding possible enrollment restrictions.