The Cognitive Sciences Graduate Certificate program focuses on the interdisciplinary study of cognitive systems. It integrates a diverse range of approaches to examining cognitive processes, investigating the structures that support and scaffold cognition, attempting to understand, model and construct cognitive systems, and philosophically examining the foundations and applications of the cognitive sciences. It also includes applications of these investigations to many areas of human endeavor, including technology design, communication, training, education and clinical settings.
The interdisciplinary program is founded on the belief that cognition is a complex range of phenomena that cannot be well understood from any single disciplinary perspective. Thus, the program includes core interdisciplinary courses on the Cognitive Sciences, as well as drawing from related courses from many areas including Communication Sciences and Disorders, Education, Engineering and Computer Science, Linguistics, Neuroscience, Philosophy and Psychology.
The Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Sciences is designed for students from diverse backgrounds who wish to: (i) deepen and broaden knowledge gained in a related bachelor's degree, (ii) prepare for master's or PhD programs in the cognitive sciences, or (iii) complement current study in UCF graduate programs related to the cognitive sciences.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
6 Total Credits
The program recommends that students complete these courses in the first year of the certificate- Complete the following:
- PHI5327 - Topics in the Cognitive Sciences (3)
- PHI5340 - Research Methods in the Cognitive Sciences (3)
Core Elective Courses
9 - 11 Total Credits
Choose at least 9 credit hours of elective courses from at least three of the following four Core Areas.- Complete 3 of the following
Language and Communication- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- COM6046 - Interpersonal Communication (3)
- LIN5137 - Linguistics (3)
- SPA6410 - Aphasia and Related Disorders (3)
- SPA6417 - Management of Acquired Cognitive/Communication Disorders Across the Lifespan (3)
- TSL6252 - Sociolinguistics for ESOL (3)
- TSL6250 - Applied Linguistics in ESOL (3)
Artificial Intelligence and Modeling Cognition- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- CAP5636 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence (3)
- CAP6640 - Computer Understanding of Natural Language (3)
- CAP6671 - Intelligent Systems: Robots, Agents, and Humans (3)
- EEL6878 - Modeling and Artificial Intelligence (3)
- EEL6812 - Introduction to Neural Networks and Deep Learning (3)
- EEL6875 - Autonomous Agents (3)
Philosophy- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- PHI5225 - Philosophy of Language (3)
- PHI5325 - Topics in Philosophy of Mind (3)
- PHI5328 - Philosophies of Embodiment (3)
- PHI5329 - Philosophy of Neuroscience (3)
Psychology and Neuroscience- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- DEP5057 - Developmental Psychology (3)
- EXP5208 - Sensation and Perception (3)
- EXP5256 - Human Factors I (3)
- EXP6255 - Human Performance (3)
- EXP6506 - Human Cognition and Learning (3)
- PSB5005 - Physiological Psychology (3)
- ZOO5745C - Neuroanatomical Pathways and their Neurotransmitters (4)
- ZOO5748C - Clinical Neuroanatomy (5)
- ZOO5749C - Clinical Neuroscience (5)
Restricted Elective Courses
3 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
- Complete one elective course either from any of the above Core Areas or from the following list:
- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- CAP5415 - Computer Vision (3)
- CAP5610 - Machine Learning (3)
- CAP6676 - Knowledge Representation (3)
- COM6467 - Studies in Persuasion (3)
- EDF6141 - Human Intelligence (3)
- EEL5874 - Expert Systems and Knowledge Engineering (3)
- EGI6305 - Theory and Development of Creativity (3)
- EIN6258 - Human Computer Interaction (3)
- EME6601 - Instructional Simulation Design for Training and Education (3)
- EME6614 - Instructional Game Design for Training and Education (3)
- EME6646 - Instructional Game Design for Training and Education (3)
- ENC6740 - Topics in Rhetoric and Composition (3)
- EXP6257 - Human Factors II (3)
- EXP6541 - Advanced Human Computer Interaction (3)
- IDS6504 - Adult Learning (3)
- IDS7657 - Professional Collaboration Around Language Issues (3)
- SOP5059 - Advanced Social Psychology (3)
- SPA6437 - Communication Foundations and Assistive/Instruct Technology for Communication (3)
- ENC 6740 - Topics in Rhetoric and Composition 3 Credit Hours NOTE: Where topic is appropriate; topic should be cleared in advance with the Cognitive Sciences Certificate program director.
Grand Total Credits: 18 - 20
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
It is the policy of the College of Graduate Studies not to allow course substitutions for graduate certificate programs. All elective courses listed above have been approved for inclusion by the chair or director of the relevant program. However, it is the student's responsibility to ensure that all course prerequisites are met. Students without the appropriate prerequisites to courses will need to contact the instructor to inquire about the possibility of registration.
