https://cogsci.jhu.edu/graduate/phd-program/
The Department of Cognitive Science's five-year PhD program has a primary goal to train a new generation of cognitive scientists who can meld multiple existing disciplines into a new, genuinely integrated science of the mind/brain. A secondary goal is to train graduates who are competitive for positions in traditional disciplinary departments at research universities. Because many of the most exciting research developments recognized within the related traditional disciplines arise through interdisciplinary research, the training in cognitive science offered by our department can promote a graduate’s attractiveness as a candidate for positions in a variety of departments.
The training we offer in cognitive science is highly interdisciplinary, strongly theoretically oriented, and integrated to an extent only possible within a department of cognitive science. In addition, PhD students are provided extensive experience integrating the theory and methods of diverse cognitive sub-disciplines through specially designed integrative courses and regular seminars involving the entire department.
Our program can offer such a breadth and depth of training because, unlike departments in the allied disciplines, in a department of cognitive science, 100% of graduate training can be focused on cognition. Integrated training across the spectrum of cognitive methods allows students to emerge from graduate school as professional cognitive scientists.
Financial Support/ Funding
Please see the Cognitive Science Graduate Handbook for more information on departmental funding and benefits for PhD students.
Teaching Assistantships
Teaching experience is regarded as an integral component to the graduate program. Cognitive Science PhD students are expected to teach during their time in the program. More information on teaching experience are available in the Cognitive Science Graduate Handbook.
Program Requirements
Overview
The Department of Cognitive Science’s PhD requirements are designed to meet the goals below.
- Depth: Students become expert in their primary area of research interest and are prepared so that they will be competitive for academic positions in one of the traditional disciplines. Students take several advanced courses or participate in seminars/lab meetings that the student, in conjunction with their advisory committee, determines to be important for achieving expertise in a chosen research area and marketplace competitiveness.
- In the specialized Computational Cognitive Science Track the students become expert in the area of CCS and are prepared so that they will be competitive in the job market. Students take several advanced courses or participate in seminars/lab meetings that the student, in conjunction with their advisory committee, determines to be important for achieving expertise in CCS research and marketplace competitiveness.
- Breadth: Students develop the ability to understand and critically evaluate work in the various sub-disciplines of cognitive science by completing courses in the areas of cognitive psychology/neuropsychology, computation, linguistics, philosophy, and cognitive neuroscience. Students may place out of breadth courses based on prior equivalent coursework or based on examination.
- In the specialized Computational Cognitive Science Track students develop an understanding of theoretical and experimental approaches to cognitive science that complement and inform computational approaches. Students may place out of breadth courses based on prior equivalent coursework or examination.
- Integration: Students learn to integrate theory and method across sub-disciplines through a specially designed integrative course.
- Research Ethics: Students complete a research ethics course, which they are encouraged to take in their first year.
- Professional Development: Students attend a spring seminar devoted to professional development.
- Training in Teaching: Students TA three to five semesters (depending upon external funding). Students are not typically expected to TA in their first semester or in the last two semesters of residency (5th year).
- Research Papers and Dissertation: Students produce two research papers prior to completing a dissertation. These papers, which are due November 1st of the second year and May 1st of the third year, draw on two different research methodologies. These two research papers are typically presented at conferences and often lead to separate journal publications.
General PhD Track Requirements
Courses may not be double-counted to fulfill more than one degree requirement. Students are expected to attend the Cognitive Science Colloquium Series and Brown Bag Series in addition to completing course requirements.
The Computational Cognitive Science (CCS) Track within the PhD program in Cognitive Science has requirements that differ somewhat from the program outlined immediately below.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Breadth | ||
One breadth course may be audited in consultation with your advisor. | ||
Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
One course | ||
Philosophy | ||
One course in philosophy of mind, language, or science | ||
Cognitive Psychology/Neuropsychology | ||
Two courses in cognitive psychology or neuropsychology. Following are examples of courses that apply: | ||
| Advanced Statistical Methods (to be completed early in the program, preferably the first semester) | ||
| Cognitive Development | ||
| Cognitive Neuropsychology of Visual Perception: The Malfunctioning Visual Brain | ||
Computation | ||
| Foundations of Neural Network Theory | ||
Select one of the following or an approved course on Programming (C++, Java, etc.), or equivalent (e.g. computational linguistics): | ||
| Bayesian Inference | ||
Linguistics | ||
| Semantics I | ||
| Syntax I | ||
| Phonology I | ||
AS.050.670 | ||
| Integration | ||
| Foundations of Cognitive Science | ||
| Depth: Area of Focus | ||
Number and scope of courses selected in conjunction with adviser(s) to achieve depth in a chosen research area. Lab meetings may be used to fulfill this requirement. | ||
| Research Ethics | ||
| AS.360.625 | Responsible Conduct of Research (encouraged to complete in the first year. In-person RCR required.) | |
| Professional Development | ||
| AS.050.860 | Professional Seminar in Cognitive Science (two mini sessions or one semester-long course) | |
| Teaching Assistantships | ||
| AS.050.849 | Teaching Practicum (x3-5 semesters, depending upon external funding.) | |
| Two Research Papers | ||
| Dissertation Proposal | ||
| Graduate Board Oral Exam (Dissertation Defense) | ||
Computational Cognitive Science Track Requirements
Students in this track will obtain a depth of focus in computational coursework, not achieved in the PhD in Cognitive Science general requirements. Accordingly, some of the breadth coursework has been replaced with computational courses, while aiming to retain the spirit of the breadth requirement.
Courses may not be double-counted to fulfill more than one degree requirement. Students are expected to attend the Cognitive Science Colloquium Series and Brown Bag Series in addition to completing course requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Breadth | ||
3-4 courses in the Department of Cognitive Science that collectively develop sophistication in theoretical and (human) experimental approaches to cognitive science. | ||
| At least one course must be in each language and vision. | ||
| Basic Computation | ||
Three courses. Following are examples of courses that apply: | ||
| AS.050.671 | Bayesian Inference | |
| AS.050.672 | Foundations of Neural Network Theory | |
| EN.601.675 | Machine Learning | |
| AS.050.670 | ||
| Integration | ||
| AS.050.626 | Foundations of Cognitive Science | |
| Research Ethics | ||
| AS.360.625 | Responsible Conduct of Research (encouraged to complete in first year) | |
| Depth: Area of Focus in Computation CogSci | ||
6-8 courses selected in conjunction with advisor(s) to achieve depth and expertise in CCS. Lab meetings may be used to fulfill this requirement. Following are examples of courses that apply: | ||
| AS.050.675 | Probabilistic Models of the Visual Cortex | |
| EN.601.665 | Natural Language Processing | |
| EN.601.769 | Events Semantics in Theory and Practice | |
| EN.601.783 | Vision as Bayesian Inference | |
| AS.050.660 | ||
| Professional Development | ||
| AS.050.860 | Professional Seminar in Cognitive Science (two mini sessions or one semester-long course) | |
| Teaching Assignments | ||
| AS.050.849 | Teaching Practicum (x3-5 semesters depending on external funding.) | |
| Two Research Papers | ||
| Dissertation Proposal | ||
| Graduate Board Oral Exam (Dissertation Defense) | ||