MSc Cognitive Science

MSc in Cognitive Science

Cognitive Science is an interdisciplinary field that has evolved during the past few decades at the intersection of a number of existing disciplines, including linguistics, computer science, philosophy, psychology and neuroscience. Each discipline makes its own distinctive contribution to the goal of teasing out the relationships between minds, brains and behaviour.

The MSc in Cognitive Science is ideal for students interested in issues relating to the understanding of the human mind from philosophical, psychological, computational and embodied perspectives, and is taught jointly between the Schools of Computer Science, Philosophy, and Psychology. Advanced computational skills are not a prerequisite.

• (opens in a new window)Learn more about Cognitive Science at UCD

Programme Content and Structure

(A)  Students must select a total of 60 credits from the following, which may optionally include up to three modules from the interdisciplinary options below:

Autumn Trimester

• COMP40250 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (7·5 credits)
• COMP47230 Introduction to Cognitive Science (7·5 credits)
• PHIL40970 Topics in Mind and Cognition (10 credits)
• PSY40020 Fundamentals of Cognitive Neuropsychology (10 credits)
• PSY40910 Embodied & Social Cognitive Neuroscience (10 credits)

Spring Trimester

• COMP40260 Connectionism and Dynamical Systems (7·5 credits)
• COMP40280 Embodiment and Enactive Approaches to Cognitive Science (7·5 credits)
• COMP47740 Interdisciplinary Challenges (7·5 credits)

(opens in a new window)(B)  Up to three modules from the following options (other modules may be available upon request):

Autumn Trimester

• PHIL31030 Philosophy of Perception and the Senses (10 credits)
• PHIL41890 Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes (10 credits)

Spring Trimester

• COMP47980 Generative AI: Language Models (5 credits)
• PHIL31120 Wittgenstein (10 credits)
• PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception (10 credits)
• PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind (10 credits)
• PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philosophy (10 credits)
• PHIL41330 Philosophy of Time (10 credits)

In addition, all students must complete an independent research project, including a literature review (5–10 pages), presentation, and final paper (10–20 pages) by mid-August.

For further information, please contact one of the programme directors, (opens in a new window)Associate Professor Fred Cummins and (opens in a new window)Dr Keith Wilson.

For information about eligibility and admissions, please see the (opens in a new window)programme website.

All administrative enquiries should be sent to the School Manager.