Cognitive Science (BA) at Cornell University

Programme overview

Cognitive Science is an interdisciplinary field that studies the fundamental workings of cognition and the mind. It investigates perception, action, language, knowledge, development, and thinking from multiple perspectives—theoretical, experimental, and computational—with the aim of gaining a better understanding of human cognition and the nature of intelligent systems.

Faculty: College of Arts & Sciences | Duration: 120 credits minimum | Study mode: full-time | Location: Ithaca, NY, United States

What you will study

For an entire list of course offerings, please go to the Cognitive Science Program website . Students must take at least one course from three of five concentrations below to ensure interdisciplinary breadth.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to the university through the undergraduate college that offers the major (College of Arts & Sciences); no separate programme-specific admission requirement is listed in the catalogue entry. See Cornell undergraduate admissions. Admission to the major is granted to students in good standing, who have passed COGST 1101 or COGST 2350 and two additional cognitive science courses with grades of C+ or better (the two additional courses can be crosslisted). Major Application Procedures Inquiries concerning the cognitive science major should be made to the Cognitive Science program manager, Julie Simmons-Lynch, [email protected] , (607) 255-6431, who will provide application materials and introductory advising.

USD 73,946 a year (2026-27). Endowed Ithaca undergraduate tuition (Architecture, Art and Planning; Arts and Sciences; Engineering; Hotel Administration), one rate for all students; tuition only, excludes mandatory fees, housing and meals. The programme is listed under an endowed coll Source

First-year applicants: Early Decision (binding) and Regular Decision for fall entry. Transfer applications are considered for the fall semester only.

First-year Early Decision: application and fee due November 1, other required materials November 13, decisions mid-December. Regular Decision: application and fee due January 2, other materials January 19, decisions late March. Applications are submitted through the Common Application; the application fee is $85 (fee waiver available). SAT or ACT scores are required for first-year applicants.

Transfer applicants: application and fee due March 15, other required materials April 15, decisions late April through June, for fall entry only. Applications use the Transfer Common Application; the fee is $85. SAT or ACT scores are neither required nor expected for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.cornell.edu/how-to-apply

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