Introduction to Cognitive Science (VS1) (U03535)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 9 ? Acronym : INF-3-ICS-V

Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the mind; as such, it draws together theory and data from across Informatics, and beyond. The course is principally aimed at third-year undergraduates in the School of Informatics, and at third- and fourth-year undergraduates in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. Non-graduating students are also welcome to attend the course. It is intended to give students:

1. An introduction to some of the key assumptions and findings of Cognitive Science; and

2. An introduction to some of the current problems, research issues and emerging trends in Cognitive Science; and

3. Examples of the different research methods by which the issues might be investigated; and

The course draws on the disciplines of Cognitive Psychology, Linguistics, Neuroscience, Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence and emphasises common core assumptions concerning computation and representation.

Entry Requirements

? This course is only available to part year visiting students.

? This course is a variant of the following course : U01970

? Pre-requisites : Successful completion of Year 2 of an Informatics Single or Combined Degree, or equivalent by permission of the School. This course is only available to part-year visiting students who are only in Edinburgh for Semester 1.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Cognitive Neuroscience, (School of Informatics, Schedule O)

Other subject areas

Vision, Perception and Action, (School of Informatics, Schedule O)

Language Processing, (School of Informatics, Schedule O)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
20/09/2007	16:10	17:00			Appleton Tower, Room 4.12

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	16:10	17:00	Central
Lecture	Thursday	16:10	17:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

It is anticipated that students who successfully complete the course will have developed four areas of ability:

Working individually, without consulting a reference source and with limited time, the student will be able to communicate their comprehension of Cognitive Science research results and methods by discussing a specific research problem, identifying relevant facts and principles, and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of approaches which address the problem.

Working individually, given an initial set of references, the student will demonstrate effective information-retrieval skills, by using browsers, search engines, citation services and/or catalogues, to give an oral presentation in a tutorial session.

Working individually, given internet and other resources, the student will be able to communicate their comprehension of Cognitive Science research results and methods by analysing, comparing, and evaluating recent original sources, to write a report.

Working as a member of a team, the student will demonstrate effective collaboration and communication skills, by planning sub-tasks, comparing arguments, and integrating written material, to write a joint report.