Johns Hopkins is one of a few universities with a Department of Cognitive Science. Cognitive science is the study of the human mind and brain, focusing on how the mind represents and manipulates knowledge and how mental representations and processes are realized in the brain. Cognitive scientists explore functions such as perception, memory, and language using a variety of methods, such as behavioral studies, functional neuroimaging, linguistic analysis, and computational modeling.
The department provides theoretically oriented research and training opportunities in a focused environment that is dedicated to the multi-disciplinary intellectual challenge of integrating contemporary approaches to the study of the mind/brain.
Programs in cognitive science at Johns Hopkins University reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the subject, requiring students to approach the study of the mind/brain from several different investigative perspectives. The programs in cognitive science draw on courses offered by several other departments, as well.
What can you do with your degree?
Graduates of the Department of Cognitive Science typically go on to graduate, medical, law, or business school, or directly into jobs in health care, information technology, or other fields.
The major provides excellent preparation for PhD programs, not only in cognitive science, but also in psychology, linguistics, computer science, philosophy, neuropsychology, and speech pathology.
Either before or after additional study, our graduates pursue careers in academia, health care, information technology, law, technical writing and publishing, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.