Introduction to the Major
The main objective of the discipline of Cognitive Science is to provide a framework for bringing all the many disciplines that study the mind together into a cohesive whole. Students in our program draw on psychology, linguistics, computer science, philosophy, neuroscience, and anthropology, among other fields, to illuminate how the human mind works, and why it works the way it does. Many influential ideas within cognitive science originated at Berkeley. The program draws on over forty affiliated faculty from a variety of departments, and is closely integrated with cognitive science research efforts across the campus.
The CogSci Curriculum
UC Berkeley is one of relatively few institutions to offer an undergraduate major in Cognitive Science. The major curriculum moves from a broad introductory survey course 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 their distribution requirements, students have the opportunity to concentrate further study in an area of their choosing, and, if eligible, complete an honors thesis. Some course requirements for the CogSci major can be difficult to enroll in due to high demand. The Cognitive Science peer and staff advisors are available to provide guidance for course enrollment.
Amplify Your Major
-
Do a deep dive into a research topic with the Cognitive Science honors program.
-
Add an international perspective by studying abroad in Cognitive Science.
-
Help other students in the major as a Cognitive Science Peer Advisor
-
Attend the Cognitive Science Student Association’s Annual Conference.
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Familiarize yourself with major requirements and college requirements.
- Map out a 4-year plan on CalCentral.
-
Review enrollment tips for Cognitive Science students.
-
Enroll in Freshman Seminars on interesting topics.
Connect and Build Community
-
Connect with CogSci peer advisors to learn more about the major.
-
Attend the Calapalooza student fair and explore student organizations on CalLink
-
Form a study group at the Student Learning Center.
Discover Your Passions
-
Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships to learn about research opportunities and resources on campus.
-
Take L&S1 for an introduction to the College.
-
Explore new topics in student-facilitated DeCal courses.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Review Cognitive Science guidelines for study abroad.
-
Explore volunteering opportunities on campus.
-
Learn about community service with the Public Service Center.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and use the Yearly Planner to guide your career path.
-
Join Handshake to find Berkeley-specific internship opportunities and development workshops.
-
Shadow alumni in the Cal Job Shadow Program.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
-
Complete the declaration requirements and declare the major
-
Reference the sample program plan to plan your upper division requirements.
-
Plan now if you are considering a minor or summer minor or plan to study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
-
Meet other students in the Cognitive Science Student Association
-
Build relationships with professors and graduate student instructors.
-
Connect with campus organizations, student government, and co-curricular activities through the LEAD Center.
Discover Your Passions
-
Assist a professor in their research through the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program
-
Follow a Course Thread of your interest.
-
Explore research opportunities for Cognitive Science students and how to earn credit for research.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Apply to study abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad
-
Get involved with community outreach and volunteering through the Cognitive Science Student Association.
-
Satisfy your American Cultures requirement with an ACES community-based project.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Meet alumni and learn about their career paths in the Career Connections Networking Series
-
Conduct Informational Interviews to learn more about different career fields
-
Attend internship fairs to find internship opportunities.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
-
Identify upper division electives from the Cognitive Science comprehensive course list
-
Check in with a major advisor about major requirements.
-
If eligible, consider the Cognitive Science Honors Program.
Connect and Build Community
-
Consider attending the annual California Cognitive Science Conference
-
Become a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to the Berkeley community.
Discover Your Passions
-
Apply to summer research opportunities such as the SURF Program and Haas Scholars Program
-
Apply for fellowships to fund your own research project.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Take classes at another UC or college through a visitor and exchange program
-
Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital
-
Consider the Alternative Breaks program to go on service-learning trips over school breaks.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Find graduate study and career resources on the CogSci website.
-
Attend Life After Cog Sci and GREsearch Night to explore industry and graduate school options.
-
Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
-
Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
-
Check in with a college advisor to ensure you are on track to fulfill all college and campus requirements
-
Keep checking your APR for college, university and major requirement satisfaction.
Connect and Build Community
-
Give back by becoming a Cognitive Science peer advisor or tutor at the Student Learning Center
-
Reconnect with any alumni who helped you succeed in previous years.
Discover Your Passions
-
Facilitate your own DeCal course
-
Enroll in non-major courses on your bucket list.
-
Earn a certificate through the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology or Jacobs Institute for Design and Innovation.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Apply for fellowships available to recent Berkeley graduates.
-
Explore gap year opportunities prior to embarking on your next academic or career adventure.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Update resume and practice interviewing skills with Big Interview
-
Utilize job board tools in your job search.
-
Attend Employer Information Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
-
Apply to jobs, graduate school and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
-
Application Programmer, AT&T
-
Cloud Engineer, Revature LLC
-
Clinical Research Coordinator, Stanford
-
Computational Linguist, Ibenta Technologies
-
Data Analyst, MoneyLion Inc
-
Designer, Adobe
-
Designer, Vimeo
-
Front End Developer, IBM
-
Fulbright Scholar, U.S. Department of State
-
Logistics Management Specialist, U.S. Navy
-
Project Engineer, Voyajoy
-
QA Engineer, LocationLabs by Avast
-
Partnership Affairs Coordinator, MedAmerica
-
Researcher, UCSF
-
Security Engineer, Visa
-
Software Development Engineer, Amazon
-
Software Engineer, Pandora
-
Teacher, Contra Costa Public School
-
Technical Staff, Oracle Corp
-
UI/UX/Web Developer, AXA Rosenberg
-
User Experience Designer, Redshift Digital
Graduate Programs
-
Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
-
Biostatistics
-
Cognitive Psychology
-
Cognitive Science
-
Computer Science
-
Education
-
Engineering
-
Information Technology
-
Linguistics
-
Neurobiology
-
Neuroscience
-
Public Health
-
Visual and Performing Arts
Examples from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Events
Attend department events with students, faculty, and staff. Visit cogsci.berkeley.edu for news and updates. The CogSci Student Association also holds special events for students. Info can be found at: cogsci.berkeley.edu/people/cognitive-science-student-assocation
Advising
Peer Advisors are available Fall and Spring semesters to answer questions about the major. Contact them at askcogsci@berkeley.edu or visit cogsci.berkeley.edu/undergraduate-program/advising/peer-advising
Advising Drop-In Hours
Staff Advisors Catherine Byrne (clbyrne@berkeley.edu) and MacKenzie Moore (mackenziemoore@berkeley.edu) are available by appointment for advising. Please use the CalCentral appointment system to schedule.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
