Program Requirements

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

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

1. 0.5 credit in CGSC 5100 Issues in Cognitive Science
2. 0.5 credit in CGSC 5101 or CGSC 5102 Methods course
3. 1.5 credits from the following course selection: CGSC 5001, CGSC 5002, CGSC 5003, CGSC 5004 and CGSC 5005
4. 1.0 credit in CGSC 5908 Research Project
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 Cognitive Science Spring Conference (see above).

M.Cog.Sc. program (Thesis Option) requirements:

1. 0.5 credit in CGSC 5100 Issues in Cognitive Science
2. 0.5 credit from CGSC 5101 or CGSC 5102 Methods course
3. 1.5 credits in cognitive science or other approved courses selected in consultation with the graduate supervisor.
4. 2.5 credits in CGSC 5909 M.Cog.Sc. Thesis
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.

Program Requirements

The requirements of the Ph.D. in Cognitive Science are:

• 0.5 credit in CGSC 6001 Theory and Methods of Cognitive Science
• 1.0 credit in CGSC 6800 Proseminar
• 0.5 credit in CGSC 6002 Methodology Rotation I
• 0.5 credit in CGSC 6003 Methodology Rotation II
• 5.0 credits in CGSC 6909 Prospectus and Thesis. The prospectus must be defended at an oral comprehensive examination on the subject-matter of the thesis. The thesis must also be defended at an oral examination.
• 2.5 credits in cognition from three different cognitive disciplines, including at least 0.5 credit in neuroscience if not already completed.
• Preparation in first year of a research paper for presentation at the Cognitive Science Spring Conference (see below). Usually prepared as an assignment for one of a student's graduate courses in cognition.
• Preparation in second year of a research paper for presentation at the Cognitive Science Spring Conference (see below). Usually prepared as an assignment for one of a student's graduate courses in cognition.
• Program to be selected in consultation with the Graduate Supervisor of Cognitive Science.
• Any student planning a dissertation with an applied cognitive emphasis is required to work for at least one term at a facility approved by the student's research supervisor and the Director of the Cognitive Science Program. Such a facility may include any institution, governmental laboratory, corporation, hospital or educational centre conducting research in the area of the student's specialization. Students should complete this work while registered in either the Methodology Rotation (CGSC 6905, CGSC 6002, CGSC 6003) or the Ph.D. Thesis (CGSC 6909).

Methodology Rotation

The methodology rotation consists of two parts. Students spend one term in each of two laboratories or other research venues using two different methods for studying cognition (behavioural, linguistic-theoretic, computational, conceptual, neuroscientific).

The purpose of the methodology rotation is to give students sufficient background in two different approaches to cognition to allow the student to use work from these approaches in his or her own research.

Assignments will be as specified by each rotation supervisor. Each rotation will be graded separately by the supervisor, Passed with Distinction (PWD)/Satisfactory(S)/Unsatisfactory (U). In the event of a grade of U the student may repeat a rotation only once.

Prospectus, Comprehensive Examination, Thesis and Defense

When a student is ready to begin work on a thesis (dissertation), the Graduate Supervisor approves a dissertation committee which must have at least three members from two different approaches to cognition, including the advisor or co-advisors plus the Director of the Cognitive Science doctoral program ex officio. Preparation of the thesis has two stages. First the student prepares a prospectus, which is examined at a comprehensive examination on the subject matter of the thesis. Then the student prepares the thesis, which is defended at a public oral examination. Specifically:

Prospectus

The prospectus must describe the proposed research and review the relevant literature in the field of the research. The research proposal must be sufficiently detailed to allow the examining committee to judge the likelihood of a successful dissertation ensuing from it. Preparation of the prospectus will follow the practices common in the advisor's area of research. The committee may add further requirements.

Comprehensive Examination

The prospectus is examined orally by a board consisting of the members of the dissertation committee. The committee may add further examiners. The examination is a comprehensive examination of the thesis subject matter, to ensure that the student has a sound understanding of the context of his or her proposed research, and of appropriate methods, ethical considerations, and so on. The examining board will also consider the research that the student is proposing, which must be of sufficiently high quality and described in sufficient detail to allow the committee to judge whether, if completed successfully, it would be likely that the student would be awarded the degree. Should a student fail the comprehensive exam or his or her prospectus is unacceptable, the student may resubmit the prospectus and be reexamined once.

Thesis

The completed thesis is examined orally by an examining board consisting at minimum of the dissertation committee, an examiner at arm's length to the project from within Carleton (the `internal external') and an examiner from another university who is at arm's length to the student and the committee and who is a recognized expert in the area of the dissertation. All university regulations apply.

Residence Requirement

All Ph.D. candidates must be registered full-time in a minimum of six terms to satisfy the residence requirement.

Language Requirement

A second language is required when relevant to the student's program of research. Whether a second language is required and the level of proficiency expected is determined at the time of admission, based on the student's description of his or her proposed area of thesis research.

Milestones for Completion of the Ph.D. Degree

To assist all Ph.D. students to progress through their program in a timely manner, the Ph.D. Cognitive Science Program has milestones in place to mark students' progress. In the first year, the students are expected to complete CGSC 6800 (Proseminar in Cognitive Science) and make substantial progress in their coursework. Students are expected to complete CGSC 6001 (Theory and Methods) in their first two years (it is offered in alternate years). During second year, students are expected to complete their coursework and to begin their two methodology rotations (CGSC 6002 and CGSC 6003). The methodology rotations must be completed by the beginning of the third year. The research requirements in first and second year apply to all students. The third year is devoted to research and preparing your Prospectus and defending it (this is the Comprehensive requirement). The prospectus is to be defended by the end of third year. The fourth year and, if necessary fifth year, are to be spent completing your research, completing the dissertation, and defending it.

First year

Proseminar, Theory and Methods (if available), coursework, presentation at Spring Conference

Second year

Theory and Methods (if available), coursework and methodology rotations, presentation at Spring Conference

Third year

Prospectus and comprehensive exam, presentation at Spring Conference

Fourth-fifth year

Thesis and thesis defence