Cognitive Science: What is it, and How can I study it at RPI?

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Cognitive ScienceWhat is it, and How can I
study it at RPI?
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What is Cognitive Science?
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Cognitive ScienceAspects of Cognition

• Cognitive science is the science of cognition,
  which includes such things as
• perception
• action
• learning
• memory
• attention
• reasoning
• decision-making
• language use

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Cognitive ScienceKinds of Minds

• Cognitive Science can be seen as the study of
  mind, but these minds can be
• human minds
• animal minds
• computer minds
• robot minds
• alien minds
• group minds
• or whatever minds

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Cognitive ScienceFields of Study

• Cognitive science is an inherently
  interdisciplinary study it is informed by, and
  has applications in
• philosophy
• psychology
• computer science
• neuroscience
• linguistics
• anthropology
• biology
• education
• mathematics
• robotics

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Cognitive Science as one of the Basic Sciences

• At some point in the future, cognitive science
  will be regarded as one of the basic sciences,
  in line with physics, chemistry, and biology.
• Indeed, I believe that cognitive technology is
  going to be the next revolution in technology.
• We will have Cogno-Engineering (autonomous
  intelligent machines, brain interfaces)
• and Cogno-Ethics!

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What can I do with Cognitive Science?

• Cognitive Science can be used to analyze,
  describe, predict, or even correct, augment, if
  not create minds. Some specific applications are
• Cognitive Modeling
• Human Computer Interaction
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cognitive Robotics
• Cognitive Engineering

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Cognitive Modeling

• Cognitive Models can analyze cognitive behavior
  at small time-scales, thus e.g. predict the
  effects of texting while driving

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Human-Computer Interaction

• Cognitive Science could lead to more effective
  and efficient Human-Computer Interaction.

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Artificial Intelligence
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Cognitive Robotics
Robocup
Hand-Eye system in RPIs Cognitive Robotics Lab
Create the Roomba that doesnt suck!
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Cognitive Engineering

• Cognitive Ergonomics
• Cognitive Mediation
• Cognitive Prosthetics
• Cognitive Augmentation
• Cognitive Computing

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Cognitive Ergonomics

• Cognitive ergonomically designed tools should
  fit our abilities to take in and process
  information, and act on it.

Smart Cockpit (really?)
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Cognitive Mediation
Taking this a step further
Craig Mundie, Microsoft Chief Research and
Strategy Officer Today, we find ourselves
embarking on one of the biggest transformations
in computing ever, where the computer shifts
from being a tool to being a helper
Better interfacing with Tom Cruise!
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Cognitive Prosthetics
Using EEGs (brain waves measured at scalp),
patients that cant move their arms learn to
control a cursor on a screen - Wadsworth Research
Lab, Albany, NY
Even further
Sensory Substitution
Former blind, Jens Naumann can now see good
enough to drive slowly around in a parking
lot thanks to a brain vision implant
Seeing with Sound
See with tongue
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Cognitive Augmentation
Australian Art-Performer Stelarc has a third arm
which he can control using his abdominal muscles
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Cognitive Computing
August 18, 2011 I.B.M. Announces Brainy Computer
Chip
The cognitive chips are massively parallel
microprocessors with a fundamentally
different design. The semiconductor core has
256 neuronlike nodes, and is linked to 262,144
synapselike memory modules. This is a critical
shift away from todays Von Neumann computing,
said Dharmendra Modha, an I.B.M. researcher who
is the project leader. He is referring to the
design and step-by-step sequential methods used
in current computers. The new design, Mr. Modha
said, should lead to chips suited for tasks that
are difficult for computers like pattern
recognition. They can learn on their own. We
arent there yet, but before long these chips
will be able to rewire themselves on the fly
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???
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How can I Study Cognitive Science at RPI?
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Cognitive Science at RPI

• In 1991-1992, the Philosophy Department merged
  with the Psychology Department to form the
  Department of Philosophy, Psychology, and
  Cognitive Science.
• In 2003, this became the Department of Cognitive
  Science, one of only about 15 dedicated
  Departments of Cognitive Science in the world
• In 2004, we created a PhD program in Cognitive
  Science
• In the Spring of 2010, the B.S. undergraduate
  program in Cognitive Science was approved
• About 20 faculty
• Relevant Laboratories / Research Groups
• CogWorks Lab (Cognitive Modeling)
• RAIR Lab (Artificial Intelligence and Reasoning)
• PandA Lab (Perception and Action, Virtual
  Reality)
• Human-Level Intelligence Lab
• Cognitive Architecture Lab
• Cognitive Robotics Lab

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Majors, Minors, and Concentrations

• Majors
• COGS
• PSYC
• PHIL
• When you dual major with COGS, PHIL, or PSYC,
  required courses can count towards HSS
  requirement
• Minors
• Minor in COGS 4 relevant courses, including
  Introduction to Cognitive Science
• Cognition minor in PSYC
• Logic, Computation, and Mind minor in PHIL
• Concentrations
• IT has Cognitive Science concentration
• GSAS has Cognitive Science concentration

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Core Curriculum for BS in Cognitive Science

• Minds and Machines
• Introduction to Cognitive Science
• Introduction to Logic
• Experimental Methods and Statistics
• Cognitive Psychology
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
• Cognitive Modeling / Programming for AI and Cog
  Sci
• Sensation and Perception / Structure of Language
• Phil of AI / Knowl., Bel., and Cogn. / Metaphys.
  Csns
• Undergraduate Thesis

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What Can I do With a Cognitive Science BS?

• Rich Skill Set
• Programming/Modeling
• Empirical Data Collection and Evaluation
• Complex Systems Analysis
• Critical Thinking
• Communication
• Careers (industry, academics) in Computer Science
  (AI), Engineering (Robotics, Biomed), Psychology
  (Cognitive Modeling, Human Factors), Philosophy
  (Cogno-Ethics), IT (HCI), Decision Sciences,
  Economics, Anthropology, Social Sciences,
  Education, Law, etc.

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Possible Dual Majors

• COGS / CSCI
• COGS / MATH
• COGS / GSAS
• COGS / PSYC
• COGS / PHIL

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I am interested in the B.S. in Cognitive Science.
What should I do?

• Contact the Director Of Undergraduate Studies In
  Cognitive Science
• Bram van Heuveln
• heuveb_at_rpi.edu

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I am interested in Cognitive Science, but dont
want to do a whole B.S.

• Declare a minor
• Come to Issues in Cognitive Science lecture
  series (every Wednesday from 12 to 130) during
  which guest speakers, faculty, and students share
  their latest ideas
• Join the Minds Machines Program
• Get actively involved in any of our other
  research labs and groups
• In all cases, contact the Director
• Bram van Heuveln, heuveb_at_rpi.edu

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Minds Machines Program in Cognitive Technology

• The Minds Machines Program provides
  opportunities for students to work in the fields
  of
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cognitive Robotics
• Synthetic Characters
• Do independent, or student-led projects and
  research in AI lab and/or cognitive robotics lab.
• Interested? Contact Bram heuveb_at_rpi.edu