Graduate education in cognitive science is conducted through interaction among the Graduate Groups in Computer and Information Science, Linguistics, Mathematics, Philosophy, and Psychology in order to produce truly interdisciplinary graduate students who are experts in more than one discipline and understand their interaction.

All graduate students wishing to specialize in cognitive science must first be accepted for an advanced degree program and be registered in one of the parent departments (information on applying to Penn's graduate programs is available via this link).

Graduate students specializing in cognitive science then select elective courses and dissertation topics in consultation with the relevant Institute faculty. They also attend the IRCS Colloquium Series, which is held on a weekly basis during the academic year and which covers a wide range of topics in cognitive science.

Students must fulfill the normal requirements for the Ph.D. in the department awarding their degree.

While individual courses of study may vary according to a student's interests, recommended courses of study relate to the three foci of research at IRCS:
Language Acquisition, Structure, and Processing
Logic and Computation
Perception and Action

The recommendations for each of the areas are designed to be compatible with the differing requirements of the Ph.D. programs in the parent departments with respect to internal qualifying exams and Master's degree regulations. In addition, the recommended courses of study are intended to be compatible both with the aims of students who are taking a full Master's in another discipline and those students who require a broader cognitive science concentration within a Ph.D. program in their home department.

The recommended Graduate courses of study are:
Cognitive Science of Language
Cognitive Science of Logic and Computation
Cognitive Science of Perception and Action

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Cognitive Science of Language
Recommended Requirements

All students should take at least two out of the three courses marked  *  below, which ensure exposure to the basic methodology and style of argumentation of the three disciplines.

They should take a minimum of six of the courses listed below outside their home department by the end of their third year of graduate training. Other than  *  courses, all six must be in a single outside department.
(examples of allowable combinations are given below).

They should attend the weekly graduate CLiFF (Computational Linguistics Feedback Forum) seminar, at which students present work in progress.

Courses for Cognitive Science of Language

Computer and Information Sciences
CIS500*: Programming Languages and Techniques
CIS530: Introduction to Computational Linguistics
CIS502: Analysis of Algorithms
CIS511: Theory of Computation
CIS520: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
CIS620: Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
CIS630: Advanced Topics in Computational Linguistics
CIS639: Seminar in Computational Linguistics
CIS550: Database and Information Systems
CIS580: Machine Perception
CIS680: Advanced Topics in Machine Perception

Linguistics
L550*: Syntax I
L510: Semantics
L658: Advanced Topics in Semantics
L520, L521: Phonetics Lab I-II
L620: Advanced Topics in Phonetics
L622: The Production and Perception of Speech
L530, L531: Phonology I-II
L603: Advanced Topics in Phonology
L551: Syntax II
L552: Syntax III
L654: Advanced Topics in Syntax
L590: Linguistic Pragmatics
L604: Discourse Analysis (Cross-listed in CIS)
L558: Signals and Systems (Crosslisted in CIS)

Psychology
PSYC 600-2*: Psychology of Language
PSYC 600-1: Psychology of Perception
PSYC 736: Special Topics in Language
PSYC 745: Special Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 751: Special Topics in Cognitive Psychology
PSYCH 737-401: Developmental Psycholinguistics (Crosslisted in Linguistics)
PSYCH 769-302: Animal Communication

Philosophy
PHIL 416: Model Theory
PHIL 405: Philosophy of Language
PHIL 517: Computational Learning Theory (cross-listed in CIS)
PHIL 549: Rule Following

For complete course descriptions, please visit the Course Register.

Example Courses of Study in Cognitive Science of Language

A linguistics student wanting to complete a master's in computer science might take as their six courses PSYC600-2* (Psycholinguistics), CIS500* (Programming Languages), CIS502 (Algorithms), CIS511 (Theory of Computation), CIS530 (Computational Linguistics) and CIS630 (Advanced Computational Linguistics). By counting LING604 both towards a linguistics PhD and as a CIS 600 level course, and using four further linguistics courses as electives, the only further requirement for the MSE would be to take CIS501 (Computer Architecture).

A psychology student with the same intention could take LING550* (Syntax), CIS500*, CIS502, CIS511, CIS520 (Artificial Intelligence), CIS630 (Advanced AI). They could similarly qualify for the CIS Master's by taking CIS501, and taking one further pre-approved 600 level course, say PHIL517 (Computational Learning Theory).

A computer science student with an interest in Philosophy but no desire for a master's could take PSYC600-2*, LING550*, and all four of the Philosophy options.

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Cognitive Science of Logic and Computation
Recommended Requirements

All students should take at least two out of the three courses marked  *  below, which ensure exposure to the basic methodology and style of argumentation of the three disciplines.

They should take a minimum of six of the courses listed below outside their home department by the end of their third year of graduate training (examples of allowable combinations are given below).

They should attend a weekly Logic and Computation Seminar, at which students, faculty, and visitors present work in progress.

Courses for Cognitive Science of Logic and Computation

Computer and Information Sciences
CIS500*: Programming Languages and Techniques
CIS502: Analysis of Algorithms
CIS511: Theory of Computation
CIS520: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
CIS620: Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
CIS677: Topics in Discrete Algorithms
CIS550: Database and Information Systems
CIS670: Programming Language Theory

Linguistics
L510*: Semantics
L658: Advanced Topics in Semantics
L590: Linguistic Pragmatics
L604: Discourse Analysis (cross-listed in CIS)

Psychology
PSYC 600-302: Thinking and Decision

Philosophy
PHIL 506*: Formal Logic II
PHIL 411: Recursion Theory (cross-listed in CIS)
PHIL 412: Topics in Logic: Finite Model Theory
PHIL 413: Set Theory
PHIL 516: Model Theory
PHIL 517: Computational Learning Theory (Cross-listed in CIS)

Mathematics
MATH 670*: Introduction to Logic and Computability
MATH 671: Topics in Logic: Linear Logic

For complete course descriptions, please visit the Course Register.

Example Courses of Study in Cognitive Science of Logic and Computation

A philosophy student wanting to complete a master's in computer science might take as their six courses PSYC600-302* (Thinking and Decision), CIS500* (Programming Languages), CIS502 (Algorithms), CIS511 (Theory of Computation), CIS670 (Programming Language Theory), CIS677 (Topics in Discrete Algorithms) and CIS630 (Advanced Computational Linguistics). By using four of the relevant philosophy courses as electives, the only further requirement for the MSE would be to take CIS501 (Computer Architecture). Math and psychology students could be similarly accomodated.

A computer science student with an interest in Logic but no desire for a master's could take PSYC600-302*, LING510*, and four of the Philosophy options.

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Cognitive Science of Perception and Action
Recommended Requirements

All students should take at least two of the three courses marked  *  below, which ensure exposure to the basic methodology and style of argumentation of the three disciplines.

They should take a minimum of six of the courses listed below outside their home department by the end of their third year of graduate training. Other than  *  courses, all six must be in a single outside department (examples of allowable combinations are given below).

They should attend a weekly graduate seminar, at which students present work in progress.

Courses for Cognitive Science of Perception and Action

Computer and Information Sciences
CIS500*: Programming Languages and Techniques
CIS502: Analysis of Algorithms
CIS511: Theory of Computation
CIS520: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
CIS550: Database and Information Systems
CIS558/L525: Computer Analysis and Modeling of Biological Signals and Systems
CIS580: Machine Perception
CIS620: Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
CIS680: Advanced Topics in Machine Perception

Linguistics
L520*: Introduction to Phonetics I
L521: Introduction to Phonetics II
CIS558/L525: Computer Analysis and Modeling of Biological Signals and Systems
L530: Introduction to Phonology I
L530: Introduction to Phonology II
L550: Syntax I
L620: Advanced Topics in Phonetics
L603: Advanced Topics in Phonology
L551: Syntax II
L552: Syntax III

Psychology
PSYC 600-1*: Psychology of Perception
PSYC 600-2: Psychology of Language
PSYC 600-303: Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 736: Special Topics in Language
PSYC 739-301: Special Topics in Perception
PSYC 739-302: Special Topics in Middle-level Perception
PSYC 745: Special Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 751: Special Topics in Cognitive Psychology

Philosophy
PHIL 517: Computational Learning Theory (Cross-listed in CIS)
PHIL 549: Rule Following
PHIL 560: Descartes

For complete course descriptions, please visit the Course Register.

Example Courses of Study in Cognitive Science of Perception and Action

A linguistics student wanting to complete a master's in computer science might take as their six courses PSYC600-1* (Perception), CIS500* (Programming Languages), CIS502 (Algorithms), CIS520 (Artificial Intelligence), CIS530 (Computational Linguistics) and CIS620 (Advanced AI), CIS630 (Advanced Computational Linguistics). By taking CIS501 and CIS511, and using two further linguistics courses as electives, they could complete CIS requirements.

A psychology student with the same intention could take LING550* (Syntax), CIS500*, CIS502, CIS520, CIS620. They could similarly qualify for the CIS Master's by taking CIS501 and 511, and taking one further pre-approved 600 level course, say PHIL517 (Computational Learning Theory).

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Parent Departments and Application Information

All graduate students wishing to specialize in cognitive science must first be accepted for an advanced degree program and be registered in one of the parent departments.

Information on applying to Penn's graduate programs is available at this link.

Many departments will accept a graduate on-line application through Penn's ExpressApp. Please contact the department to which you are applying if you have questions about this procedure.

Department of Computer and Information Science
200 South 33rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6389
(215) 898-8560
Email for graduate program inquiries: cis-grad-admin@cis.upenn.edu

Mike Felker, Graduate Coordinator: mfelker@cis.upenn.edu

Department of Linguistics
619 Williams Hall
36th & Spruce Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305
(215) 898-6046

Amy Forsyth, Department Administrative Coordinator: aforsyth@sas.upenn.edu
Graduate program inquiries: gradchair@babel.ling.upenn.edu

Department of Mathematics
4th floor, David Rittenhouse Labs
209 South 33rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6395
(215) 898-8178

Tony Pantev, Graduate Group Chair: tpantev@math.upenn.edu

Graduate inquiries: gradchair@math.upenn.edu

Department of Philosophy
Room 236 Cohen Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6304
(215) 573-0250

Graduate Coordinator: Ernestine Williams, ernestin@sas.upenn.edu

Department of Psychology
3720 Walnut Street, Solomon Lab Bldg.
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6241
Department phone: (215) 898-7300
Graduate inquiries:

Dr. Michael Kahana, Director of Graduate Studies: dgs@psych.upenn.edu

Mr. Michael Greer, Department Administrator:  greermb@psych.upenn.edu