Computer Science - Philosophy - Cognitive Science

MSc Cognitive Science
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

Cognitive Science is an interdisciplinary field that has evolved during the past few decades at the intersection of a number of existing disciplines, including linguistics, computer science, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, and neuroscience. Each discipline makes its own distinctive contribution to the goal of elucidating the relationships between minds, brains and behaviour.

- Unique taught offering providing advanced material in psychology, philosophy of mind, computational modeling, neuropsychology, and more

- Ideal preparation for future PhD studies tackling interdisciplinary topics

- Includes a substantial research project, conducted largely during the Summer months

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

Anyone interested in issues relating to the understanding of the human mind from philosophical, psychological, and computational perspectives would be well suited to this degree. A solid background in one contributing discipline is required.

Vision and Values Statement
(i) Purpose
This programme assumes the incoming student has a particular specialisation in one or more fields. To this initial specialisation, the programme seeks to add interdisciplinary breadth, providing insights and concepts from many different fields. This sensitivity to interdisciplinary concerns is suitable as preparation for critical engagement with research at a postgraduate level. It is thus intended to be an ideal preparation for those who wish to progress to PhD studies or to a career in research. It will also suit those who harbour a personal interest in critical approaches to human experience and behaviour. It is not a vocational programme, in that it is not tailored for any specific employment target.

(ii) Education and subject description, professional values
We encourage students to adopt rich, pluralist views of the topics covered, which combine insights and expertise from several disiciplines, including philosophy, computer science, psychology and more.

(iii) Learning outcomes
Taught modules cover a broad range of disciplines, which will challenge and encourage students to develop critical skills that transcend discipline boundaries.

(iv) Approaches to teaching learning and assessment
Students will thus encounter many different ways of understanding and investigating focussed topics, and will be encouraged to learn to synthesise and integrate insights form disparate fields. Because of the breadth of subject matter, students will encounter evaluation in many forms, including continuous assessment by exercises, essays, reports, portfolio assembly, and end of module examination.

Programme Outcomes
Articulate research questions within the field and display an awareness of the empirical methods that can potentially be brought to bear on them

Bring insights from diverse disciplines to bear on focussed topics within the field

Communicate research questions and findings to audiences in diverse disciplines, including the general public

Critique theoretical and empirical claims made in the primary literature

Identify and describe major topics arising within the domain of cognitive science

Inform discussions that demand the integration of skills and insights from diverse disciplines in addressing topics related to human experience and behaviour

Present their research in public and communicate clearly in writing

Recognize and manage the theoretical diversity found within contributing disciplines

Situate contemporary research in cognitive science in a theoretical and practical context

Stage 1 - Core
Research Project in Cognitive Science COMP40290

Stage 1 - Option
Human Language Technologies COMP40020
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology COMP40250
Connectionism and Dynamical Systems COMP40260
Cognitive Modelling COMP40270
Embodiment and Enactive approaches to Cognitive Science COMP40280
Human Computer Interaction COMP41710
Introduction to Cognitive Scie COMP47230
Computational Creativity COMP47410
Consciousness, Agency & the Self PHIL40010
Fundamentals of Cognitive Neuropsychology PSY40020
Readings visual social cogniti PSY40550

- This programme is intended for applicants with a degree in Computer Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Linguistics, Neuroscience or a cognate discipline. An upper second class honours, or the international equivalent, is required.

- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

MSc Cognitive Science FT (T023)

Deadline: Rolling *

MSc Cognitive Science PT (T084)

Deadline: Rolling *

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Careers & Employability
This is not a vocational course. In the course of one year we cover a very broad range of material, thus greatly increasing the breadth of academic exposure of our students. Historically, about half of the students go on to do PhD studies, and many others look for work in research. This course will not make a psychologist out of a non-psychologist, or an IT specialist out of someone who is not an IT specialist upon entry. It will enable students to tackle research issues they might not have been able for before, and to do PhDs in areas that would not have been possible before. It also has the potential to enrich one's engagement with a very broad range of challenging material. Many students pursue this course because of a passionate interest in our scientific understanding of what it is to be human. Please note that a cognitive science degree is not part of an accredited programme towards a clinical degree.