About Cognitive Science

Our Program and Courses

Cognitive science is a major within F&M’s Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind program. Through a blended lens of philosophy, computer science, psychology, biology, and more, you’ll explore how minds fit into the natural world. You’ll search for answers to questions such as: What is the basis for consciousness? How do minds and mental abilities develop as we mature? Can other animals — or even computers or robots — think? You’ll build a perspective of cognitive science partly informed by moral psychology, bridging sciences and humanities to uncover the inner workings of the mind and achieving a deeper level of understanding than any single discipline alone could provide. 

By the time you graduate, you will have acquired: 
  • An understanding of the major theories in cognitive science
  • A broad perspective of the nature of the mind informed by both cognitive science and moral psychology
  • An understanding of the complexity of the approaches and perspectives involved in studying the nature and function of the mind
  • The ability to construct, evaluate, and critique philosophical arguments and accounts
  • Skills in scientific research, including the ability to form research questions, collect data, and analyze and interpret results
  • The ability to think, write, and speak clearly and logically
Wondering what a course in cognitive science is like? Explore our course catalog to discover how cognitive science courses span the sciences and humanities.

Our Faculty and Staff

Jessica G Cox

Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics, Department Chair of Spanish

Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind

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Elena C Cuffari

Assistant Professor of Psychology & Scientific Philosophical Studies of Mind

Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind

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Bennett W Helm

Elijah E. Kresge Professor of Philosophy, Program Chair of Scientific & Philosophical Studies of Mind (SPM)

Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind

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Lauren H Howard

Associate Professor of Psychology & Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind

Biological Foundations of Behavior; Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind

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Stephan A Kaufer

John Williamson Nevin Memorial Professor of Philosophy, Department Chair of Philosophy

Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind

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Nick Kroll

Associate Professor of Philosophy

Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind

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John L Modern

Arthur & Katherine Shadek Professor of Religious Studies

Science, Technology and Society; Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind

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Michael L Penn

Professor of Psychology

Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind

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Josh D Rottman

Associate Professor of Psychology & Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind, Department Chair of Psychology

Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind

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Kelly E Schenke

Academic Department Coordinator

Philosophy; Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind

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Learning Outside the Classroom

In cognitive science, you’ll find a new breed of faculty, energized and invigorated by blending fields of study in cutting-edge scholarship, discussion, and research. While they bring their vast knowledge and expertise to the classroom, they’re also dedicated to helping you discover research and study-abroad opportunities to hone your skills in critical thinking and philosophical analysis. 

Research Opportunities

A staple of your academic experience at F&M is the extraordinary opportunity to engage in research and independent study. You’ll find remarkable opportunities to join your professors’ research projects, allowing you to leave your footprint on what often are years-long endeavors.
Explore research at F&M


Off-Campus Study

Off-campus study, in the U.S. and internationally, is encouraged. Cognitive science majors have studied in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. They have also embarked on specific courses, studying cognitive science in Hungary and child development in Denmark.
Learn more about off-campus study at F&M

Success Beyond F&M

What happens after you graduate with a degree in cognitive science? The distinct mixture of scientific and humanistic skills gained by studying cognitive science at F&M — including critical and creative thought, analysis and interpretation of data and theory, and the ability to communicate, write, debate and listen — help you develop useful and productive skills that are highly valuable whether you are entering graduate school or beginning your chosen career.

Alumni Spotlight

An Interest in the Mind Leads to Studying Human-AI Interaction

When she arrived at F&M, Raluca Rilla ’23 was most interested in the mind. “I was very eager to study language and cognition, but I wasn’t entirely sure how to approach my questions,” she said. During her first semester, Rilla was inspired by connections she uncovered across disciplines and decided to blend perspectives herself by double majoring in cognitive science and psychology. “I was determined to maintain the same level of creativity and openness that interdisciplinarity affords in all of my future academic and professional pursuits,” she said. Today, Rilla is pursuing a master’s degree in cognitive systems at the University of Potsdam in Germany. “Without the training and mentorship that I received at F&M, I would not have been as well equipped to study human-AI interaction,” she said. “I am certain that the critical thinking skills that I developed at F&M will be indispensable for navigating artificial intelligence research.”

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Alumni Spotlight

“Now I can’t conceive of a better way to approach this study than through the multidisciplinary approach of cognitive science.”

Anastasiia Grigoreva '20 was the 2020 recipient of the Williamson Medal, the College’s most prestigious award for student achievement. She graudated summa cum laude with a major in cognitive science and a minor in philosophy. "I do think I have always been interested in the study of the human mind; I just did not have the conceptual tools to engage with it until I got to F&M," Grigoreva said. "Now I can’t conceive of a better way to approach this study than through the multidisciplinary approach of cognitive science."

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Related Fields of Study

Computer Science

As technology evolves and our understanding of computerized systems increases, computer science has become more advanced. At F&M, you’ll explore this ever-changing field, learning the mathematical basis of modern computer science, gaining technical and programming skills, and understanding how to put theory into practice.

Philosophy

Learn to think clearly and creatively about the big questions: the nature of meaning, morality, justice, art, the mind, knowledge, language, and reality. By studying philosophy at F&M, you’ll search for understanding while discovering how to value the reason for an answer as much as the answer itself.

Psychology

Embark on a journey of the mind and learn all about why we do the things we do. From non-human animal behavior to language development and neurological impairment, your time spent studying psychology at F&M will unlock a whole new world of understanding of how the brain works.

Cognitive Science in Action

August 1, 2024

Success Beyond F&M: An Interest in the Mind Leads to Studying Human-AI Interaction

Raluca Rilla ’23, a cognitive science and psychology double major at F&M, is pursuing a master’s degree in cognitive systems at the University of Potsdam in Germany. “Without the training and mentorship that I received at F&M, I would not have been as well equipped to study human-AI interaction," she said.

July 10, 2023

Child-Robot Research Merges Psychology and Technology

Learn how F&M students conducted an interdisciplinary graduate-level study and gained valuable insights into the future of education.

December 10, 2015

Your Brain: The Great Connector

Aristotle once said, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." As he shared his groundbreaking research in neuroscience, a Franklin & Marshall College professor pointed out that brain function closely follows that axiom. "Any cognitive function takes many parts of the brain, and any part of the brain can be involved in many different cognitive functions," Michael Anderson told a well-attended Dec. 10 Common Hour, F&M's weekly community discussion.