Cognitive Science

Students study topics in a very wide variety of professional disciplines. The breadth of topics covered is challenging, but encourages students to think beyond the narrow confines of a single speciality. The research project is structured to allow greater depth in the pursuit of a single topic, and results in professionally meaningful deliverables. Lecturers are highly qualified, research active cognitive scientists with a range of specialities.



- Unique taught offering providing advanced material in psychology, philosophy of mind, computational modelling, neuropsychology, and more



- Ideal preparation for future PhD studies tackling interdisciplinary topics



- Includes a substantial research project, conducted largely during the Summer months



(i) Purpose:

This programme assumes the incoming student has a particular specialisation in one or more fields. To this initial specialisation, the programme seeks to add interdisciplinary breadth, providing insights and concepts from many different fields. This sensitivity to interdisciplinary concerns is suitable as preparation for critical engagement with research at a postgraduate level. It is thus intended to be an ideal preparation for those who wish to progress to PhD studies or to a career in research. It will also suit those who harbour a personal interest in critical approaches to human experience and behaviour. It is not a vocational programme, in that it is not tailored for any specific employment target.



(ii) Education and subject description, professional values:

We encourage students to adopt rich, pluralist views of the topics covered, which combine insights and expertise from several disciplines, including philosophy, computer science, psychology and more.



(iii) Learning outcomes:

Taught modules cover a broad range of disciplines, which will challenge and encourage students to develop critical skills that transcend discipline boundaries.



(iv) Approaches to teaching learning and assessment: Students will thus encounter many different ways of understanding and investigating focussed topics, and will be encouraged to learn to synthesise and integrate insights form disparate fields. Because of the breadth of subject matter, students will encounter evaluation in many forms, including continuous assessment by exercises, essays, reports, portfolio assembly, and end of module examination.



What Will I Learn?

- Articulate research questions within the field and display an awareness of the empirical methods that can potentially be brought to bear on them

- Bring insights from diverse disciplines to bear on focussed topics within the field

- Communicate research questions and findings to audiences in diverse disciplines, including the general public

- Critique theoretical and empirical claims made in the primary literature

- Identify and describe major topics arising within the domain of cognitive science

- Inform discussions that demand the integration of skills and insights from diverse disciplines in addressing topics related to human experience and behaviour

- Present their research in public and communicate clearly in writing

- Recognize and manage the theoretical diversity found within contributing disciplines

- Situate contemporary research in cognitive science in a theoretical and practical context

Stage 1 Core Modules

COMP40290 Research Project in Cognitive Science Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 30CR:

Students should select a total of 60 credits across 7 or 8 modules.

COMP40250 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology Autumn 7.5

COMP47230 Introduction to Cognitive Scie Autumn 7.5

PSY40020 Fundamentals of Cognitive Neuropsychology Autumn 7.5

PSY40910 Embodied & Social Cognitive Neuroscience Autumn 10

COMP40260 Connectionism and Dynamical Systems Spring 7.5

COMP40280 Embodiment and Enactive approaches to Cognitive Science Spring 7.5

COMP47740 Guided reading Cog.Sci. III Spring 7.5

PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0CR:

Students may choose up to 3 options in consultation with the programme directors.

PHIL31030 Philosophy of Perception and the Senses Autumn 10

PHIL41890 Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes Autumn 10

COMP47980 Generative AI: Language Models Spring 5

PHIL31120 Wittgenstein Spring 10

PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception Spring 10

PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind Spring 10

PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philos Spring 10

PHIL41330 Philosophy of Time Spring 10

In order to qualify for admission to the degree, a student must have a good honours undergraduate degree in one of computer science, psychology, philosophy, linguistics, neuroscience, or a cognate discipline. Typically a minimum final grade of II.1 or equivalent is expected.References from two academic referees must be submitted, as well as a 400-600 word statement of research interest which outlines your reasons for wanting to follow this course. Official transcripts from your university will also be required. Details are given on the Online Applications website.



- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.



- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

W358: 1 year full-time, W359: 2 years part-time.

Next Intake: September 2025.

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities This is not a vocational course. In the course of one year we cover a very broad range of material, thus greatly increasing the breadth of academic exposure of our students. Historically, about half of the students go on to do PhD studies, and many others look for work in research. This course will not make a psychologist out of a non-psychologist, or an IT specialist out of someone who is not an IT specialist upon entry. It will enable students to tackle research issues they might not have been able for before, and to do PhDs in areas that would not have been possible before. It also has the potential to enrich one’s engagement with a very broad range of challenging material. Many students pursue this course because of a passionate interest in our scientific understanding of what it is to be human.



Please note that a cognitive science degree is not part of an accredited programme towards a clinical degree.