Cognitive Neuroscience Program

Cognitive neuroscience is the study of the mind as it is manifested in the human brain. Cognitive neuroscientists combine psychophysical and brain imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging and event-related potentials to examine the brain function underlying cognitive abilities in human beings.

This program is designed for students interested in gaining experience within the field of cognitive neuroscience.

The Five College Certificate in Cognitive Neuroscience is currently available to undergraduate students enrolled at Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges.

To complete the certificate, students must complete at least one course in each of these areas of study:

1. Overview of Cognitive Science
   Rationale: A broad outlook of issues related to cognitive neuroscience.
2. Scientific Foundations (Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry and Biology)
   Rationale: A greater coverage of a topic supporting the cognitive neuroscience framework. To be determined under the guidance of the student's Cognitive Neuroscience Certificate faculty advisor. It is recommended that this be in an area outside the student's major.
3. Research Methods, Design and Analysis
   Rationale: The methodological foundation needed to understand, interpret and conduct basic research.
4. Philosophy of Mind
   Rationale: The fundamental philosophical insights to the mind-body problem, a key issue in the field of cognitive neuroscience.
5. Neuroscience (Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology)
   Rationale: The basics in brain anatomy and function.
6. Advanced Topics
   Rationale: A more in-depth coverage of empirical and theoretical issues central to cognitive processes.
7. Independent Research
   The student must also complete at least one semester of independent research through a thesis, course project or special study. The course project may be completed in conjunction with one of the classes listed under the Research Methods areas. An adviser approved summer research project would also meet the research requirement.

Amherst College Approved Courses

1. Overview of Cognitive Science
   PSYC 233 Cognitive Psychology
   PSYC 234 Memory
2. Scientific Foundations
   PHYS 117 Introductory Physics II: Electromagnetism and Optics
   COMP 112 Introduction to Computer Science II
   CHEM 151 Fundamental Principles of Chemistry
   BIOL 191 Molecules, Genes, and Cells
3. Research Methods, Design and Analysis
   PSYC 122 Statistics and Experimental Design
4. Philosophy of Mind
   PHIL 333 Philosophy of Mind
5. Neuroscience
   PSYC 226 Introduction to Neuroscience (cross-listed as NEUR 226)
6. Advanced Topics
   PSYC 366 Music Cognition
   PSYC 368 Autobiographical Memory

Hampshire College Approved Courses

1. Overview of Cognitive Science
   CS 128 Cognitive Science: An Introduction Through Vision
   CS 218 Birth of Mind: Biological Foundations of Psychological Development
   CS 230 Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
2. Scientific Foundations
   CS 205 Introduction to Computer Science
   CS 121 Programming Artificial Life
   CS 216 Data Structures and Algorithms
   NS 2xx Endocrinology
   NS 220 Physiology
   NS 234 Molecular Biology
   NS 247 Cell Biology
   NS 262 Biochemistry
3. Research Methods, Design and Analysis
   CS 246 Cognitive Psychology
   CS 313 Electrophysiological Methodologies
   CS 212 Brain and Cognition II
   And various courses in statistics
4. Philosophy of Mind
   CS 132 Minds, Brains, & Machines
   CS Consciousness Reconsidered
   CS 202 Philosophy of Mind
5. Neuroscience
   CS 134 Brain and Cognition I
   CS/NS 269 The Plastic Brain: Culture, Experience & Environment in Mind/Brain Development
   NS 244 Neuroendocrinology
   NS3xx Neurophysiological Mechanisms
6. Advanced Topics
   CS 272 Emotions and the Brain
   CS/NS 278 Sex on the brain: Gender, Sex & Biology
   CS/NS 158/358 Evolution of Behavior
   CS 228 Music: Brain and Development
   CS 274 Bioacoustics
   CS 278 Evolution of Neurally-Controlled Robots
   CS 254 Genetic Programming
   CS 287 Evolving Artificial Neural Networks
   CS 370 Brain, Mind, and Culture
   CS 338 Current Issues in Cognitive Science

Mount Holyoke College Approved Courses

1. Overview of Cognitive Science
   PSYCH 241 Cognitive Psychology
   PSYCH 246 Cognitive Psychology
2. Scientific Foundations (Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry and Biology)
   CHEM 150/160
   BIO 145/160
   PHYS 100/110
   COMSC 151
3. Research Methods, Design and Analysis
   PSYCH 204
   NEURO 221
4. Philosophy of Mind
   PSYCH 249CN/PHIL 250CN: Consciousness
   PHIL 289: Advanced Studies in Philosophy: Advanced Studies in Philosophy of the Mind
   PHIL 309: Philosophy and Science of Emotion
5. Neuroscience (Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology)
   NEURO 100
   PSYCH/NEURO 246: Cognitive Neuroscience
6. Advanced Topics
   PSYCH 256: Hormones and Behavior
   PSYCH 340 (various topics)
   PSYCH 349 (various topics)
   PSYCH 350 (various topics)
   PSYCH 359 (various topics)
   NEURO 309 (various topics)
   NEURO 324: Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience
   NEURO 336: Systems Neuroscience
   PSYCH/NEURO 254: Psychopharmacology

Smith College Approved Courses

1. Overview of Cognitive Science
   PSY 120 Introduction to Cognitive Science
   PSY 218 Cognitive Psychology
   PSY 209 Philosophy and History of Psychology
2. Scientific Foundations
   PHY 117 Introductory Physics I
   CSC 111 Computer Science I
   CHM 111 Chemistry I
   BIO 132 Cells, Physiology & Development
3. Research Methods, Design and Analysis
   PSY 202 Introduction to Research Methods
   NSC 230 Experimental Methods in Neuroscience
   SDS 220 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
4. Philosophy of Mind
   PHI 100 Thinking about Thinking
   PHI 234 Philosophy and Human Nature: Theories of the Self
5. Neuroscience
   NSC 210 Introduction to Neuroscience
   PSY 130 Clinical Neuroscience
   BIO 300 Neurophysiology
6. Advanced Topics
   PSY 313 Research Seminar in Psycholinguistics
   PSY 314 Seminar in Foundations of Behavior
   PSY 315 Autism Spectrum Disorders
   PSY 327 Seminar in Mind and Brain

UMass Amherst Approved Courses

1. Overview of Cognitive Science
   PSYCH 404 History and Systems in Psychology
   PSYCH 315 Cognitive Psychology
2. Scientific Foundations
   Physics - Various courses
   Chemistry - Various courses
   Biology - Various courses
   COMPSCI 121 Introduction to Problem Solving with computers
3. Research Methods, Design and Analysis
   PSYCH 240 Statistics in Psychology
   PSYCH 241 Methods of Inquiry in Psychology
4. Philosophy of Mind
   PHIL 383 Philosophy of Psychology
5. Neuroscience
   PSYCH 330 Behavioral Neuroscience
   PSYCH 305 Brain, Mind, and Behavior
6. Advanced Topics
   PSYCH xxx Cognitive Neuroscience
   PSYCH 391 Seminar: Scientific Studies of Consciousness
   PSYCH 530 Human Neuropsychology
   PSYCH 535 Drugs and Behavior
   PSYCH 335 Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
   PSYCH 591 Seminar: Primate Behavior
   LINGUIST 411 Introduction to Psycholinguistics
   LINGUIST 412 Language Processing and the Brain
   PSYCH 318 Psychology of Language

Program Co-Chairs:

Kathy Binder, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Psychology, Mount Holyoke College

Mara Breen, Associate Professor of Psychology and Education, Mount Holyoke College

Cynthia Gill, Associate Professor of Physiology, Hampshire College

Maryjane Wraga, Professor of Psychology, Smith College

Five College Staff Liaison

Ray Rennard, Director of Academic Programs