COGS 100 F Introduction to Cognitive Science Farhana Zulkernine
Textbooks Mind: Introduction to Cognitive Science by Paul Thagard MIT Press, 2005 second edition. Available for purchase at the campus book store Cognitive Science by Jay Fridenberg and Gordon Silverman (not necessary to buy) The material on the Moodle website is copyrighted and is for the sole use of students registered in COGS100. The material on the website may be downloaded for a registered student s personal use, but shall not be distributed or disseminated to anyone other than students registered in COGS100. Failure to abide by these conditions is a breach of copyright, and may also constitute a breach of academic integrity under the University Senate s Academic Integrity Policy Statement. 2
Academic Integrity Academic integrity is constituted by the five core fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility (see www.academicintegrity.org). These values are central to the building, nurturing and sustaining of an academic community in which all members of the community will thrive. Adherence to the values expressed through academic integrity forms a foundation for the "freedom of inquiry and exchange of ideas" essential to the intellectual life of the University. See the Senate Report on Principles and Priorities http://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senateandtrustees/principlespriorities.html Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the regulations concerning academic integrity and for ensuring that their assignments conform to the principles of academic integrity. Information on academic integrity is available in the Arts and Science Calendar (see Academic Regulation 1 http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/academic-calendars/2011-2012-calendar/academicregulations/regulation-1), on the Arts and Science website (see http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/academics/undergraduate/academic-integrity), and from the instructor of this course. Departures from academic integrity include plagiarism, use of unauthorized materials, facilitation, forgery and falsification, and are antithetical to the development of an academic community at Queen's. Given the seriousness of these matters, actions which contravene the regulation on academic integrity carry sanctions that can range from a warning or the loss of grades on an assignment to the failure of a course to a requirement to withdraw from the university. 3
Queen s Cognitive Science Program Understanding of how the mind operates and implement models using computers Cognitive Science Specialization (Computing) Details about units of courses - 120 units program (54 core + 42 option + 24 elective) http://www.cs.queensu.ca/students/undergraduate/program_desc/cogs-p-bch.pdf Queen s Cognitive Science Program http://www.cs.queensu.ca/applicants/cogscience/ Note the prerequisites many upper year courses have prerequisites that are outside the COGS program and are not offered every year.
COGS Program The COGS program at Queen's is properly within the School of Computing. But Cognitive Science programs can be found within any of the other disciplines at other universities. Many issues addressed in these other disciplines are also issues for Cognitive Science. Wherever a step-by-step explanation of human intelligent behaviour is required, Cognitive Science is involved. In the COGS program at Queen's, students take most of the same core courses as are taken in other School of Computing programs. Since Psychology, Philosophy, Linguistics, and Neuroscience all play an important roles in explaining the computations or processing of human mind, students can take courses from these other disciplines. That way they can explore their true interest in one or more of the above subject matters. 5
COGS Program (cont ) There is enough flexibility that there are many optional paths that students can take, depending on the interests that the students develop. Each year of the program has at least one specialized COGS course, that all COGS students take, and some key courses in Psychology and Philosophy are also required courses. After graduating from the program, students can go for higher education in any of the related areas such as Computing Science, Psychology, Neuroscience, or Cognitive Science. 6
Help and Q/A There is a discussion and Q/A forum on Moodle, which will be moderated by Teaching Assistants (TA), and by the Instructors. If there is any aspect of the course material that is unclear to you, or if you are having difficulty with exercises or assignments, you will be able to get help through the discussion forum. Arrangements can also be made to interact directly via email, or meet with one of the Teaching Assistants if you feel your difficulties are more extensive. Any administrative issues relating to the course should be raised with the Instructor. 7
Marking The marking for the course will be as follows: Moodle Quiz 20% Midterm 30% (will be held in 3 rooms) Final Exam 50% Practice quiz on Moodle. You can attempt it multiple time but not the real quiz. Timed and will automatically be submitted after you start it. Use it constructively to keep up with the class otherwise there will be too many and versatile topics to remember before exams. 8