An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of the mind, intelligent behavior, information processing, and communication in living organisms and computers.

Learning Outcomes:

At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to answer the following questions:

• What is the implication of the idea that even very basic behaviors involve storing and processing information about the environment? How is information processing related to perceptual systems?
• What are some of the historical advancements toward the development of cognitive science?
• What is the integration challenge in cognitive science, and what are the “levels” across which cognitive science must integrate disciplines?
• How does the mental architecture approach deal with the shortcomings of earlier global integration solutions?
• What is the physical symbol system hypothesis? How does it attempt to explain information storage and processing?
• What are the practical implications of the physical symbol system approach (e.g., ID3, WHISPER)?
• How do multilayer artificial neuron networks learn through experience? What are the differences for modeling information processing between physical symbol systems and artificial neuron networks?
• What does it mean to say that all information processing is modular? Is it?
• How can cognitive neuroscience help to establish a “wiring diagram” for the mind? Does knowing the brain “explain away” the processes of the mind?
• What is the mindreading system? How is this an example of the theory of information processing systems?

Course Project:

Cog Sci Website Project.