The Linguistics minor offers a scientific and applied approach to the study of human language, highlighting the endlessly surprising nature of this sophisticated mode of communication. Students who complete this minor will be prepared to use creative problem-solving skills for linguistic investigation and understand linguistics as a scientific discipline as distinct from language-related skills such as foreign language learning or being a good writer.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming pervasive in our lives, and affects us in ways both obvious and subtle. This minor will prepare students to think intelligently about the field.
Students come to learn practical AI techniques as inspired by Cognitive Science theory and viewpoints, and apply them to real-world problems.
Students will also be trained to reflect on the extent on limits on the possibilities of AI, how it compares and contrasts with natural intelligence, and what ethical and societal impacts AI has or may have.
The customized minor is designed for students who want to sample a variety of topics within psychology or select a set of courses that share a common theme. Students will learn how behavior and thought are influenced by cognitive, emotional, developmental, social, and environmental factors, and how to apply psychological principles.
The doctoral program in Cognitive Science was launched in 2003 with the aim of making seminal contributions to the field by training the next generation of world-class cognitive scientists. In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of cognitive science, this program trains students to integrate theories, methods, and tools from a variety of fields.
Graduates of the Ph.D. in Cognitive Science program have gone on to positions in academia, industry, and government. Below are some examples of the current positions of former Ph.D. students. Note that this list also includes current positions of former post-docs. These are marked with an asterisk.
Academia
Associate Professor, Center for Imaging Sciences, RIT
Associate Professor, Cognitive Science Department, RPI
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Biology Department, Northeastern University
Post-doctoral Fellow, Center for Perceptual Systems, UT Austin
Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Social and Decision Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University
Post-doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine and School of Psychology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Psychology, NYU
* Full Professor, Department of Psychology, Purdue University
* Associate Professor, Computer Science Department, Colby College
Industry
Directory, Research and Development, Machine Learning Group, Disney Research Studios
Staff Software Developer, IBM
Government
Cognitive Systems Researcher, U.S. Army Research Lab
Research Scientist, State of Minnesota
Research Scientist, Sandia National Laboratories
Discover the science of behavior and the brain in a technological world. Learn how behavior and thought are influenced by neurophysiological, emotional, cognitive, developmental, social, and environmental factors.
The B.S. in Psychological Science at Rensselaer provides students with a technology-driven education for a technology-driven field.
Psychological science is a rapidly evolving discipline that seeks to understand human thought and behavior through the use of scientific methods. With advances in technologies that track and predict thought and behavior, psychological scientists are continually making discoveries that improve the way people live and work.
A degree in psychological science prepares students for:
Graduate studies in psychological science, medicine, education, law, business, and more.
Careers in a wide variety of sectors including business, data science, information technology, health care, government, education, and law.
Think critically about the complex questions of our world. Search for understanding and wisdom through inquiry into fundamental questions regarding existence, knowledge and "how to live a good life."
Agreeing with Socrates that “the unexamined life is not worth living,” the B.S. in Philosophy asks student to think critically about the most complex, enduring questions regarding existence, knowledge, and values facing the world.
Through research, reflection, and discussion, the program equips students with the reasoning and critical-thinking skills needed to be responsible citizens and tomorrow’s global leaders.
A degree in philosophy provides a solid foundation for careers and graduate studies in law, medicine, journalism, artificial intelligence, and more.
"Philosophy has greatly enhanced my learning experience at Rensselaer by refining my ability to grasp and reason through complex concepts while teaching me how to think more critically about the topics within my major."
— Mina Kodsi