This is a concept major map for illustrative purposes only. Please refer to the Cognitive Science major map for the current version.
Explore the mind from an interdisciplinary perspective through UC Berkeley's Cognitive Science Program
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Cognitive Science(link is external) in the College of Letters & Science offers undergraduates the opportunity to draw on psychology, linguistics, computer science, philosophy, neuroscience, and anthropology, and other fields to illuminate how the human mind works and why it works the way it does.
UC Berkeley is one of relatively few institutions to offer an undergraduate major in Cognitive Science, and Berkeley’s program is almost unique in terms of the scope of our approach to the field. The program features over forty affiliated faculty from a variety of departments, and is closely integrated with cognitive science research efforts across the campus.
Highlights
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Do a deep dive into a research topic with the Cognitive Science Honors Program(link is external)
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Get involved with the Cognitive Science Student Association’s Annual Conference(link is external)
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Teach yourown CogSci course through the DeCal program(link is external)
- Help other CogSci students as a Cognitive Science Peer Advisor
"CogSci is a very wide major that touches upon a lot of different topics, so be open to learning new things! Not only have I learned a lot of technical skills through coding courses, but I’ve also learned a lot about the anatomy and psychology of the brain."
- Isabella Pang, Cognitive Science & Business Administration
Undergraduate Program
Curriculum
Students in the Cognitive Science undergraduate program(link is external) are expected to approach problems of knowledge using the tools of several different disciplines: philosophy, psychology, linguistics, computer science, neuroscience, and various social sciences. This expectation is reflected in a demanding curriculum that begins with a broad introductory survey course (COG SCI 1) and moves to a six-course distribution requirement covering the philosophy of mind, cognitive psychology, linguistics, computational modeling and artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and various social sciences. After fulfilling the distribution requirements, you will have the opportunity to concentrate further study in an area of your choosing, and, if eligible, complete an honors thesis.
Course Snapshot
A diversity of courses(link is external)(link is external) is available to you as a CogSci student. As you put together a program plan(link is external)(link is external), you will choose courses from cognitive science as well as math, psychology, linguistics, computer science, philosophy, molecular and cell biology, and more. For example:
COG SCI 88: Data Science and the Mind
COG SCI 115: Neuropsychology of Happiness
MCB C61/PSYCH C61 Brain, Mind, and Behavior
PSYCH 110 Introduction to Biological Psychology
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. To declare the CogSci major(link is external), complete the major prerequisites and submit a declaration to the program once your grades appear on CalCentral. CogSci staff will evaluate all applications on a rolling basis.
If you entered Berkeley as a freshman: submit the major declaration form after completing three semesters and before you begin your sixth semester. If you entered Berkeley as a transfer: declare the major before you begin your second semester at Berkeley.
What Can I Do with My Degree?
There is no limit to what you can do with a B.A. in Cognitive Science. The interdisciplinary nature of the CogSci degree makes graduates in demand in many industries. Program alumni work in fields such as machine learning, human-centered design, and software design/development. They also pursue advanced degrees in cognitive science, neuroscience, and computer science, while others attain professional degrees to practice medicine or law. Alumni also pursue post-graduate opportunities such as professional fellowships and public service programs.
Berkeley offers a number of career resources for CogSci students. The Cognitive Science program hosts information on career exploration(link is external)(link is external) and preparing for graduate programs(link is external)(link is external), and sponsors the Career Catalyst Program(link is external)(link is external) which helps CogSci students launch their careers by supporting them through a summer work experience. Students can also access services from the Career Center(link is external)(link is external), including career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of industries after completing the undergraduate program. Examples of employment pathways include:
- Application Programmer
- Computational Linguist
- Data Analyst, Designer
- Front End Developer
- Linguistic Analyst
- Logistics Manager
- QA Engineer
- Research Analyst
- Software Engineer
- Startup Founder
- Teacher
- Therapist
- UX Designer
- Web Developer
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples of graduate study pathways include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Biostatistics
- Cognitive Psychology
- Computer Science
- Education
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Linguistics
- Neurobiology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
- Visual and Performing Arts
Alumni Spotlight
Jane, Class of 2021
Jane graduated with a B.A. in Cognitive Science and certificate in Design Innovation. She currently works as a UX/UI designer for Google.
- Why did you choose Cognitive Science? "I came into college with a lot of different interests, and CogSci was a very interdisciplinary major where I could combine a lot of them."
- What skills did you learn? "I’ve learned a lot of technical skills through all the coding courses, and a lot of anatomy and science of the brain."
- Any advice for future students? "Be open-minded! CogSci is a very wide major that touches upon a lot of different topics, so be open to learning new things."
Four-Year Student Timeline
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Explore Letters & Science and the university through L&S 1 and Berkeley Connect.
- See an L&S advisor for help exploring majors and minors, and understanding degree requirements.
- Explore new topics in a Freshman Seminar or DeCal course
- Familiarize yourself with the CogSci major. Check out sample program plans and talk to a CogSci peer advisor.
Engage Outside of the Classroom
- Get familiar with resources from the Student Discovery Hub.
- Discover student organizations at the Calapalooza student involvement fair.
- Connect with the CogSci community via the Cognitive Science Student Association (CSSA) and CogSci mailing list
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit the Career Center and Career Counseling Library.
- Start exploring career paths for CogSci majors.
- Conduct informational interviews to learn about different career fields.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Continue exploring with a Big Ideas course or Sophomore Seminar.
- Complete CogSci prerequisites in statistical thinking, calculus, and computer programming, and declare the major.
- Start planning for a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Engage Outside of the Classroom
- Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
- Interested in research? Explore research opportunities and consider applying to the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP).
- Consider a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Attend the annual California Cognitive Science Conference.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Curious about graduate school? Check out planning resources from the CogSci program and Step-by-Step.
- Start attending career and internship fairs.
- Consider doing an internship to build your skills and explore fields.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin taking upper division electives from the Cognitive Science comprehensive course list
- Review your degree progress with your CogSci major advisor and L&S advisor.
- If eligible, consider the Cognitive Science Honors Program
Engage Outside of the Classroom
- Planning a thesis or research project? Apply to the Swan Research Award, Haas Scholars Program, or SURF.
- Spend a term off campus through study abroad, UCDC, or Cal in the Capital.
- Apply to be a CogSci peer advisor and help other students in the major.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs.
- Join a professional association such as the Cognitive Science Society.
- Apply to the CogSci Career Catalyst Program.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements.
Engage Outside of the Classroom
- Submit a research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal or Library Prize.
- Interested in public service after graduation? Check out the John Gardner Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and U.S. Department of State.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Connect with alumni groups such as the CogSci Alumnx Network.
- Meet employers at Info Sessions, On-Campus Recruiting, and Career Fairs
- Apply for jobs. Utilize job search tools from the Career Center.
- Submit applications for graduate school and post-grad programs.
Summer Options
- Check out Summer Sessions course in CogSci such as COG SCI 1 Intro to Cognitive Science or COG SCI 115 Neuropsychology of Happiness.
- Get international experience through Berkeley Summer Abroad or the UC Education Abroad Program.
- Enrich your studies with a summer minor.
- Consider a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer research project with support from the SURF Program.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in the L&S 198 course Transitioning to Cal and Berkeley Connect.
- Familiarize yourself with the CogSci major. Check out sample program plans and talk to a CogSci major advisor.
- Complete CogSci prerequisites in statistical thinking, calculus, and computer programming, and declare the major.
Engage Outside of the Classroom
- Find support and community with the Transfer Student Center.
- Discover student organizations at the Calapalooza student involvement fair.
- Connect with the CogSci community via the Cognitive Science Student Association (CSSA) and CogSci mailing list
- Interested in research? Explore CogSci research resources and consider applying to the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP).
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit the Career Center and Career Counseling Library.
- Start exploring career paths for CogSci majors.
- Conduct informational interviews to learn about different career fields.
- Start attending career and internship fairs.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Plan now if considering a certificate, summer minor, or study abroad.
- Consider the Cognitive Science Honors Program, if eligible.
Engage Outside of the Classroom
- Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
- Planning a thesis or research project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF
- Attend the annual California Cognitive Science Conference.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
- Consider doing an internship to build your skills and explore fields.
- Curious about graduate school? Check out planning resources from the CogSci program and Step-by-Step.
- Apply to the CogSci Career Catalyst Program.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Review your degree progress with your L&S college advisor to ensure you are on track to fulfill all degree requirements.
- Check in with a CogSci major advisor about your major requirements.
Engage Outside of the Classroom
- Help other students in the major as a CogSci peer advisor
- Spend a semester off-campus through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCDC
- Give back as a Transfer Student Center intern or Starting Point mentor.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Connect with alumni groups such as the CogSci Alumnx Network
- Attend career events hosted by CSSA.
- Join a professional association such as the Cognitive Science Society.
- Submit applications for graduate school and post-grad programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Keep checking your APR for college, university, and major requirement satisfaction and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside of the Classroom
- Submit a research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal
or Library Prize. - Interested in public service after graduation? Check out the John Gardner Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and U.S. Department of State.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at Info Sessions, On-Campus Recruiting, and Career Fairs
- Apply for jobs. Utilize job search tools from the Career Center.
Summer Options
- Check out Summer Sessions courses in CogSci such as COG SCI 1 Intro to Cognitive Science or COG SCI 115 Neuropsychology of Happiness.
- Get international experience through Berkeley Summer Abroad or the UC Education Abroad Program.
- Enrich your studies with a summer minor.
- Consider a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer research project with support from the SURF Program.
Learn More!
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Cognitive Science or choosing a major? Connect with advising services:
The Cognitive Science Program(link is external)(link is external) offers undergraduate advising for students planning to major in CogSci. Advising is available from CogSci Peer Advisors and Major Advisors on a drop-in and appointment basis.
CogSci Peer Advisors offer guidance on course recommendations, research opportunities, and why to major in CogSci. CogSci Major Advisors are available for all CogSci-related questions. Visit cogsci.berkeley.edu/undergraduate-program/advising(link is external)(link is external) for more information.
The College of Letters & Science(link is external)(link is external) helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, and finding campus resources. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu(link is external)(link is external) or email asklns@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail)(link sends e-mail)
Advising services are also offered by other campus units, including:
Related Programs
Looking for programs similar to Cognitive Science? UC Berkeley also offers the following major and minor programs:
