Computation and Cognition Minor

Established by the School of Psychology in collaboration with the College of Computing and with support from the Schools of Physics and Mathematics, the Minor in Computation and Cognition is a highly interdisciplinary program that combines advanced computational training with the study of human cognition. Students will learn about the computational mechanisms underlying human cognition and use computational methods to better understand human cognition.

This webpage is designed to help students with an interest in declaring this minor determine whether it is the correct fit for them, as well as orienting students who have already declared this minor on potential course offerings that may help them complete the minor.

Computation and Cognition Advising

Currently, Dr. William Stern and Dr. Meghan Babcock serve as the advisors for the Computation and Cognition Minor. You can find your advisor (or potential advisor) using the table below.

Students are invited to reach out to Dr. Babcock and Dr. Stern via email if they have any questions about the minor. Appointments are not required, but if you'd like to meet to discuss the minor, you are welcome to reach out to make one.

Benefits of a Computation and Cognition Minor

Coursework in Computation and Cognition opens doors to careers in:

• Data science (projected to grow 34% by the end of the decade)
• UI/UX design 
• Behavioral analytics
• Human-AI interaction
• And many more tech fields

Combining the psychological study of human cognition with computational modeling techniques, students will see the application of AI and computational modeling understand human cognitive processes. Computation and Cognition (or Cognitive Science) is a rapidly growing field, and Georgia Tech joins the ranks of eight Ivy League institutions that offer a program in this area.

Your Pathway to a Computation and Cognition Minor

Computation and Cognition minors may double-count up to six credits between their major and minor. This allows for increased flexibility for students whose majors include courses in the Computation and Cognition curriculum.

Psychology Majors will double-count PSYC 2020 and one additional PSYC course between the CMCN minor and their major, allowing them to complete the minor by taking only nine additional credits.

Computer Science Majors will double-count CS 1332 and one additional CS course between the CMCN minor and their major, allowing them to complete the minor by taking only nine additional credits.

Physics, Neuroscience, and Math Majors have the opportunity to double-count a course (PHYS 4267, NEUR 4300, and MATH 2552 respectively) between the CMCN minor and their major, allowing them to complete the minor with only twelve additional credits.

All other majors are welcome to declare a Computation and Cognition minor and enjoy its benefits, completing the standard course of a minor by selecting fifteen credits according to the requirements listed below.

Declaring the Computation and Cognition Minor

There are no pre-requisites to declare the Computation and Cognition Minor, and students are encouraged to do so as soon as they know they would like to pursue it (i.e., you do not need to wait until after you've completed some of the coursework). To declare the minor, simply complete the Change of Minor form, listing your major advisor and assigned advisor for the minor (which you can find on the table above). If you have any questions you'd like answered before declaring the minor, and are unable to find those answers here, please don't hesitate to reach out to your assigned minor advisor in advance of completing the form.

Computation and Cognition Minor Requirements

Other courses may be counted toward the Compuation and Cognition minor with approval from the minor advisors. Check the School of Psychology's Special Topics offerings for potential Computation and Cognition related courses pre-approved to count toward the minor.