What is UC Berkeley Cognitive Science (cogsci.berkeley.edu)?

Updated

cogsci.berkeley.edu is the official website of the UC Berkeley Cognitive Science Program. It serves as the hub for an interdisciplinary program that brings together psychology, linguistics, computer science, philosophy, neuroscience, and anthropology to study how the human mind works and why it works the way it does. The site is most useful if you are a prospective or current UC Berkeley student exploring the undergraduate major, a graduate student interested in the designated emphasis, or someone looking for courses, advising, research labs, and career resources in cognitive science.

What the program covers

The program's stated objective is to provide a framework for uniting the many disciplines that study the mind into a cohesive whole. Rather than sitting in a single department, it draws on over forty affiliated faculty from a variety of departments. This means coursework and research can span:

  • Psychology
  • Linguistics
  • Computer science
  • Philosophy
  • Neuroscience
  • Anthropology

Programs offered

The site organizes its academic offerings into three main tracks:

Program Audience
Undergraduate Major in Cognitive Science Undergraduates pursuing a degree in the field
Graduate Designated Emphasis Graduate students adding a cognitive science credential to their primary program
Summer Minor: Cognitive Science and the Future of Tech Students seeking a summer minor option

What you can find on the site

Beyond program descriptions, the site functions as a practical resource hub. Key sections include:

  • Undergraduate program details — degree requirements, how to declare, the honors program, and a major map
  • Courses — cognitive science courses by term, a comprehensive course list, and enrollment policies
  • Advising — advising services for both undergraduate and graduate students
  • Research — research centers and labs, plus guidance on preparing for graduate school
  • Career and professional development — career exploration, a summer internship grant, and resources for research and graduate study
  • Community and support — student clubs and organizations, holistic wellness resources, international student resources, and transfer student resources
  • Quick links — find a course, CPT info, GSI information, and alumni connections

Who this site is for

This site is aimed primarily at UC Berkeley students and prospective students. If you are considering the undergraduate major, the degree requirements and "how to declare" pages are the natural starting point. If you are already in a graduate program and want to add the designated emphasis, the "How to Apply to the DE" and curriculum pages cover that path. Faculty and researchers can find the graduate group listing, while current students can use the advising and enrollment resources.

Contact and location

The Cognitive Science Program is located at 101 Stephens Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-2306, at the University of California, Berkeley.