M. Cognitive Science

About the Program

Cognitive Science is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of human and artificial cognition. It integrates research from experimental psychology, theoretical and computational linguistics, artificial intelligence, philosophy of mind, and other related areas to address questions about learning, knowing, and thinking. Students in Cognitive Science are expected to draw on work from at least three of the contributing disciplines. The researchers who are involved in Carleton's programs in Cognitive Science have strengths in areas such as consciousness, cognitive development, mathematical cognition, cognitive and computational modelling, human performance, applied cognition, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, philosophy of mind and language, symbolic and computational logic, intelligent information systems, knowledge representation, natural language understanding, swarm and collective intelligence, evolutionary computing, and some areas of neuroscience. The program also involves researchers from industry, government agencies, and other post-secondary institutions.

Academic Regulations

 

 

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Admission Requirements

 

  • The requirement for admission into the M.Cog.Sc. program is an Honours degree with an average of at least A-.

  • Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate a fluent knowledge of English. This is normally done in one of the following ways:

    1. An overall score of 70 on the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment
    2. A TOEFL score of 230 CBT (computer-based test) or 580; or 86 IBT overall with a minimum score in each component of writing (22), speaking (22), reading (20) and listening (20).
    3. An overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band score; or
    4. An acceptable certification that the language of instruction in your most recently completed undergraduate or graduate degree was English.

  • To be admitted, a candidate must submit a description of his or her research interests in the area of Cognitive Science.

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Program Requirements

There are two options for the M.Cog.Sc. program – Research Project or Thesis.

M.Cog.Sc. (Research Project Option) requirements:

  1. CGSC 5100 Issues in Cognitive Science (0.5 credit)
  2. CGSC 5101 or CGSC 5102 Methods course (0.5 credit)
  3. 1.5 credits from the following course selection: CGSC 5001, CGSC 5002, CGSC 5003, CGSC 5004 and CGSC 5005
  4. CGSC 5908 Research Project (1.0 credit)
  5. 1.5 credits in cognitive science or other approved courses selected in consultation with the graduate supervisor.
  6. Preparation of research for presentation at the Carleton Cognitive Science Graduate Conference (see above).

 

M.Cog.Sc. program (thesis option) requirements:

  1. CGSC 5100 Issues in Cognitive Science (0.5 credit)
  2. CGSC 5101or CGSC 5102 Methods course (0.5 credit)
  3. 1.5 credits in cognitive science or other approved courses selected in consultation with the graduate supervisor.
  4. CGSC 5909 M.Cog.Sc. Thesis (2.5 credits)
  5. Preparation of research for presentation at the Carleton Cognitive Science Graduate Conference (see above).

Guidelines for Completion of the M.Cog.Sc. Degree

The degree is expected to take no more than four (4) terms to complete. Students will enroll in courses while also conducting research. While all students will take some core courses, the specific balance of the remaining credits (coursework and research) will vary by student. Credit selection will be determined in consultation with either the Graduate Supervisor or the student’s faculty advisor.

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