University at Buffalo (UB)
"Cognitive science called to me because it took every academic interest and showed me a real-life application," said one UB student. "It's a means of not just studying people, but making a difference in those people's lives."
Think about how you understand the words you're reading right now. Consider what makes you smart, what makes you creative, or how we decide what "intelligence" means in people and machines.
If you want to explore these types of questions—and use the answers to make the world a better place—then cognitive science might be right for you.
As a cognitive science major, you'll choose most of your own classes based on your interests. For some students, that means focusing on computer science and neuroscience. For others, it could be taking more classes in philosophy, psychology, geography or linguistics, or finding ways to bring disciplines together to pursue a unique goal. Of course, you'll also gain a foundational (and valuable) understanding of how our minds work.
At UB, studying the mind includes hands-on experience—and lots of it. Here, you’ll find many ways to explore your passion outside of the classroom, including:
Design a social media app. Reimagine the education system. Streamline patient care in a hospital. Create a new display for self-driving cars. With a cognitive science degree, you can help improve the way we understand and navigate the world around us, one interaction at a time.
As a student of cognitive science, you can apply your degree to a job you love, including (but certainly not limited to):
Be inspired by a world-renowned linguistics professor. Study computer science with an expert in artificial intelligence. Debate with a philosopher and learn about human behavior from a globe-trotting anthropologist.
At UB, you'll get to take courses with faculty throughout the university—just one benefit of being in an interdisciplinary major. Of course, your instructors may also include professionals from various industries, who come to UB so they can share their experience (and their connections!) with the next generation of cognitive scientists.
With such a wide range of teachers and mentors, you'll have plenty of opportunities to meet the people who can guide you on your career path, every step of the way.