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Cognitive Systems Program (COGS)
     
  • About COGS
  • Applying to COGS
    • Application Instructions
    • Admission Requirements
    • Application Evaluation
    • FAQ: Applying to the COGS Program
  • Degree Requirements
    • B.A. Cognition and Brain (Arts PSYC stream)
    • B.A. Language (Arts LING stream)
    • B.A. Mind, Language, and Computation (Arts PHIL stream)
    • B.Sc. Cognition and Brain (Science PSYC stream)
    • B.Sc. Computational Intelligence and Design (Science CPSC stream)
    • Minors and Double Majors
    • Degree Planning
    • Module Courses
  • Courses
    • COGS Courses
    • COGS 402
    • Module Courses
    • FAQ: Courses and Waitlists
    • FAQ: COGS 402
  • Careers
    • Co-op for COGS Students
    • Alumni Spotlight
      • COGS Alumni Spotlight: Hannah Elbaggari
      • COGS Alumni Spotlight: Andrew Raitt
      • COGS Alumni Spotlight: Jessie Chen
  • Advising
    • Workday Student
    • Where to Direct Questions
    • Contact Us
  • FAQ
    • Applying to the COGS Program
    • Degree Planning
    • Majors/Minors
    • Courses and Waitlists
    • COGS 402
    • Graduation
  • Apply Now
  • Deep Thought

    The study of Cognitive Systems is enabling us to write the latest chapters in our centuries-long quest to understand mind, body and world. [Image courtesy of Sidney Padua at 2d goggles] Read More

  • Emerging Minds

    The infant brain naturally excels at tasks that challenge even the most powerful supercomputers. We’re trying to understand how. Read More

  • network connections

    Connection

    Cognitive Systems take many forms.  We study the new ones, the old ones, the natural ones, the artificial ones, and even some of the unfashionable ones. Read More

  • A student is surrounded by data.

    21st Century Skills

    Finding the lessons in big data is crucial for meeting the challenges of the twenty-first century.  In Cognitive Systems we use psychology, philosophy, computer science, and linguistics to understand how it can be done – and what it means to do it ethically. [Image generated using Midjourney] Read More

  • New Overlords

    What can robots do? What should they be allowed to do?  COGS students don’t just build robots: we think philosophically about the relationships between robots and humans. Read More

  • Power Tools

    Developments in computation present us with new tools for understanding and modelling thought.  Students in the Cognitive Systems programme are trying to gauge their power. Read More

  • The Syntax of Ideas

    Language plays a central role in human thought. We want to understand what language is, and why it is able to play this role. Read More

Cognitive Systems  (COGS) is a multi-disciplinary undergraduate program involving four departments: Computer Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, and Psychology.

The program provides students with a grounding in the principles and techniques used by intelligent systems, both natural and artificial.  It emphasizes the study of existing systems (e.g., perception; language), the development of new ones (e.g., robotic agents; computational models), and the design of interfaces between different forms of intelligent agents (e.g., user experience, human-computer interaction).

There are five different degree specializations within the Cognitive Systems program; three are offered by the Faculty of Arts and two by the Faculty of Science.  You can read about them here.

 

  • News
  • Events
Sessional Lectureship (2025/26 Academic Year)

Posted: March 10, 2025  Last Updated: March 17, 2025 Application Deadline: April 20, 2025  The Cognitive Systems Program invites applications for part-time Sessional Lecturers for the 2025/26 academic year (September 2025-April 2026).  Course Descriptions  COGS 200 Introduction to Cognitive Systems (3 credit lecture course) Team taught – interdisciplinary examination of human mental processes and how these are […]
COGS Applications are OPEN (September 2025 Entry)

The COGS application is now open for B.A. students and for B.Sc. internal transfer students (students hoping to switch majors). This application is for 2025 Winter Term 1 (September 2025) entry into the program, and the application deadline is May 15, 2025 at 11:59pm. Please note: If you are a B.Sc. student declaring a specialization […]
2025W TA Applications are OPEN!

The Cognitive Systems Program seeks to fill a number of Undergraduate Teaching Assistant I (UTA I) positions for the 2025/26 Winter academic sessions. These positions are conditional on the COGS Program’s budgetary approval. Some may be appointed at 50% (half-time), with duties and salaries reduced accordingly. Please note, at the time of application, if you […]
COGS is moving back to Iona!

The Cognitive Systems Program (offices, lab, and lounge) will return to the basement of the Iona Building (6000 Iona Drive) over reading break! Please note that to accommodate the move, program offices, lab, and lounge (in both LIFE and IONA) will be closed February 20-23. Starting Monday February 24, 2025, COGS students will have access […]
CSS Merch 2025

The Cognitive Systems Society will be selling new merch this semester, with hoodies, tote bags, and new stickers joining the lineup! If you’re interested in these (or any items from the previous catalogue such as crewnecks, pins, and playing cards), check out this Google Form to place an order. Don’t miss the chance to rep […]
Imagine Day

Welcome back, students! COGS and the CSS will have a booth set up in the Buchanan Courtyard from 11:30AM-1PM on September 3rd. Come say hello! Orientation for new COGS students begins at 4PM in Buchanan A103.
COGS Acting Chair: Márton Sóskuthy

From July 1st to December 31st, 2024, Márton Sóskuthy will stand in as acting chair of the Cognitive Systems Program while Chris Mole is away on sabbatical. Prof Sóskuthy joins us from the Linguistics department, where he researches emergent speech patterns (learn more here). He will be teaching the 2024/25 Term 1 iteration of COGS […]
Workday Student

UBC Students will gain access to Workday Student on May 21, 2024. Registration for the 2024 Winter session will occur in Workday Student. Please visit the Workday Student page (Advising > Workday Student) for more information.
COGS 2024W Term 1 (September) Intake: applications are closed

Applications for admission into the BA specializations of the COGS program (and internal transfers into the BSc Cognition and Brain specialization) for 2024W Term 1 entry (September 2024) are now closed. We’ll let those of you who applied know the outcome of your applications no later than June 10, 2024.
2024W TA applications have closed

The 2024 Winter term 1 and 2 COGS TA applications have closed. Thank you to all applicants for your interest.
For a full list of news items click here
For a full list of upcoming events with details click here
Cognitive Systems Program
Vancouver Campus
6000 Iona Drive
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1L4
Website cogsys.ubc.ca
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