Cognitive Systems
About Cognitive Systems
Cognitive systems sits at the intersection of computer science, linguistics, philosophy and psychology. It is the study of systems that enable people to think, of systems that can help and hinder our thinking, and of artificial systems in which something like cognition is accomplished. UBC's program will provide you with a thorough grounding in the principles and techniques used by intelligent systems (both natural and artificial) to interact with the world around them. People with backgrounds in cognitive systems design intelligent computer systems, or may become psychiatrists or researchers in cognitive neuroscience. All students in the COGS program gain hands-on research experience.
Program Details
Cognitive systems offers five degrees – two offered by UBC Science. If you're interested in the BSc cognition and brain stream, you should apply through the UBC Science coordinated admissions process. If you're interested in the computational intelligence and design stream, you should talk to advisors in Computer Science. All courses in the COGS streams are largely composed of computer science, linguistics, philosophy and psychology.
Skills
- Application of principles and techniques used by natural and artificial intelligent systems
- Research, collection, synthesis, and presentation of information across diverse subjects
- Evaluation of the connections between computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology, and relating them to real-world applications
- Observation of issues through diverse perspectives grounded in theories
- Critical thinking and ability to debate different sides of an argument while considering philosophical and ethical implications
- Collaboration and teamwork with individuals from different backgrounds
- Design of new intelligent systems or interfaces, through digital or machine touch points
Programs offered
- Major Cognitive Systems: Cognition and Brain
- Major Cognitive Systems: Computational Intelligence and Design
Resources
Career Options
With an undergraduate degree
- Business systems analyst
- Cognitive systems engineer
- Consultant
- Data analyst
- Human-computer interface designer
- Human resources specialist
- Information systems manager
- Linguistics advisor
- Mediator
- Politician
- Mental health worker
- Public affairs officer
- Software developer
- Systems quality assurance analyst
- Technical support analyst
- Technical writer
- UX or UI designer
- Web developer
With additional study
- Aerospace engineer
- Animal health technologist
- Artificial intelligence designer
- Biological technologist
- Child life specialist
- Cognitive neuroscientist
- Consultant
- Crime scene examiner
- Forensic psychologist
- Gerontologist
- Guidance counsellor
- Human-computer interaction scientist
- Occupational therapist
- Pharmaceutical researcher
- Psychologist
- Rehabilitation counsellor
- Robotics specialist
- Speech pathologist
UBC Science Cognitive Systems Graduates Work As
- Cognitive Neuroscientist, ACELab University of Alberta
- Data Scientist, Boeing Canada
- Founder and CEO, PatentPal
- Graduate Student in Cognitive Psychology, University of Toronto
- Business Intelligence Consultant, Visier
- PhD Candidate in Cognitive Neuroscience and Human-Computer Interaction, University of Waterloo
- User Experience Designer, iQmetrix
- Software Engineer, Microsoft