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About the Program
Centre of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences (CBCS) has a vibrant, International level research environment highly conducive for graduate studies. The goal of the Integrated program in Cognitive Science would be to enable students to develop their knowledge base in Cognitive Science and learn the skills to pursue basic and applied research in the field of Cognitive Science. The program will focus on current knowledge status of behavioural and cognitive processes and exploring new inter-disciplinary interfaces (with computer science, neuroscience, physiology, philosophy, economics and language sciences) with the aim of understanding cognition and behaviour in its research endeavours.
Learning outcomes
- Core knowledge about the interdisciplinary approach in cognitive science
- Training in research skills and methodologies of interest including eye tracking, EEG/ERP, functional neuroimaging and behavioural experimentation.
- Integrating theory and methods in cognitive science
- The program will enable students to develop the skills for becoming an Independent researcher in the field of cognitive science and also to think about the applications of cognitive science related to clinical/consumer neuroscience or industry.
The program has multilevel entry/exit options as below –
| YEAR | Entry point with Eligibility | Exit point certificate / Diploma / Degree Earned |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Year | [Bachelor’s degree in Science/Engineering/Medical/Management/Biological/Life Sciences/Psychology/related disciplines | Certificate in Cognitive Science |
| 2nd Year | No entry | MSc Degree in Cognitive Science |
| 5th Year | No entry | PhD in Cognitive Science |
Note: Students admitted in 1st year have exist options after completion of 1st year (Certificate), 2nd year (Degree), and 5th year (PhD).
Master’s Track (Semester I – Semester IV)
If a student opts to terminate with a MSc degree: They will have to do a compulsory Master’s thesis starting in the third semester.
If a student opts to continue with the Integrated MSc-PhD Program: They will be required to start with their PhD thesis work (research proposal) in the third and fourth Semester (2nd year of the integrated program).
Note:
- The decision to continue with PhD has to be made at the end of the First Year.
- Doctoral Advisory Committee may advise the students continuing in the PhD program to take certain specific electives in the third and fourth semester depending on the area of research.
Educational Visit
One educational visit (1 credit) for students in the intergrated MSc-PhD program will be organized to provide exposure/experience of working in specialized labs for cognitive neuroscience and artificial intelligence/clinical settings/industry in institutions such as IIIT Allahabad, BHU, National Brain research Centre, Manesar, NIMHANS, Bangalore, IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi and/or others.
* Criteria for transitioning from MSc to PhD:
- Overall CGPA of at least 7/10 in MSc Degree.
- Only top 6 students willing to continue with the PhD programme will be considered.
- On top, admission to the PhD programme will be based on
- Students’ performance in M.Sc. thesis.
- Availability in the preferred lab
- A comprehensive viva to determine students’ technical and theoretical knowledge with respect to specific requirements of corresponding labs/methodologies/areas of research.
- The probationary/mutual evaluation in the Third semester of the MSc degree before commitment to continue with the programme and the decision will be finalized by the DPC, CBCS.
Evaluation System (MSc level)
The students would undertake mid-term and final semester examinations during each semester. Grading would be based on a 10-point letter grade system as currently followed in the University. The continuous assessment would consist of a mid-term exam and term paper/assignments/ presentations and the end-semester exam. As far as possible, students will be given feedback. The board of examiners would review the evaluation of the marks/assigned by the individual course instructors. The master’s thesis is evaluated by an internal and external examiner including an open viva voice examination (thesis defense) at the end of fourth semester.
PhD Track (Semester V – Semester X)
The doctoral degree from Semester V to X in the MSc-PhD Integrated program will be governed by the University rules and procedures for doctoral degree. The duration of the PhD will work the same way as it does for other PhD programs as per UGC norms.
Doctoral Advisory Committee
A Doctoral Advisory Committee will be constituted for each research scholar to look after the planning and administration of the program. The Committee will consist of the supervisor and two other faculty members working in related areas/methodology. The supervisor would act as the convenor of the Committee. The Committee will advise the student at all stages of research and evaluate the progress. It will also make recommendations regarding the extension or termination of the scholar from the program.
Pre-PhD Course Work
The Doctoral Advisory Committee may recommend remedial courses in Cognitive Science or related disciplines as needed. All students enrolled in a course will be evaluated by the course instructor. Evaluation is based on Course Assignments, participation in class discussions and performance in oral or written examination conducted by the course instructor.
Comprehensive Exam
Prior to submitting the research proposal, the candidate has to pass a comprehensive exam conducted by CBCS.
PhD thesis proposal
Students enrolled in the Integrated program will be required to submit a detailed research proposal for the PhD thesis including a review of relevant literature at the end of the second year if the student opts to continue with the PhD.
Course Structure
Semester 1
| Paper | Course Code | L-T-P-C | Credits | Theory Papers and Practical Labs | Sessional Marks | End Semester Marks |
| Paper 1 | CSC501 | 3-1-0-4 | 4 | Introduction to Cognition* | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 2 | CSC502 | 4-1-0-5 | 5 | Principles of Neuroscience | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 3 | CSC503 | 4-0-0-4 | 4 | Research Methods** | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 4 | CSC504 | 3-0-0-3 | 3 | Introduction to Programming and Algorithms** | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 5 | CSC505 | 3-0-0-3 | 3 | Foundation course: Nation building/Language (German/French/Russian) | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 6 | CSC506 | 3-0-0-3 | 3 | Skill enhancement course 1 | 40 | 60 |
| Practicals/lab sessions | CSC507 | 0-0-2-1 | 1 | Psychophysics based experimentation, data analysis and research report writing | 40 | 60 |
| CSC508 | 0-0-4-2 | 2 | Python, MATLAB and R | 40 | 60 |
*There is option for earning the credit for this course from MOOCs (Swayam or NPTEL)
**Courses with lab sessions
Students will be provided with the list of Skill enhancement courses offered by the University and each student may opt for one of the 8 such courses in the first and second semester.
Semester 2
| Paper | Course Code | L-T-P-C | Credits | Theory Papers and Practical Labs | Sessional Marks | End Semester Marks |
| Paper 1 | CSC509 | 4-0-0-4 | 4 | Cognitive Neuroscience** | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 2 | CSC510 | 4-0-0-4 | 4 | Computational Models of Cognition | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 3 | CSC511 | 4-0-0-4 | 4 | Perception and Attention | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 4 | CSC512 | 3-0-0-3 | 3 | Psycholinguistics** | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 5 | CSC513 | 3-0-0-3 | 3 | Foundation course: Nation building/Language | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 6 | CSC514 | 3-0-0-3 | 3 | Skill enhancement course- 2 | 40 | 60 |
| Lab sessions | CSC515 | 0-0-2-1 | 1 | EEG/ERP recording and analysis; fMRI data acquisition | 40 | 60 |
| CSC516 | 0-0-2-1 | 1 | Recording eye movements for language studies | 40 | 60 |
**Courses with lab sessions
Semester 3
| Paper | Course Code | L-T-P-C | Credits | Theory Papers and Practical Labs | Sessional Marks | End Semester Marks |
| Paper 1 | CSC517 | 4-0-0-4 | 4 | Culture and Cognition | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 2 | Elective 1 | 4-0-0-4 | 4 | Elective 1 | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 3 | Elective 2 | 4-0-0-4 | 4 | Elective 2 | 40 | 60 |
| Practicals/ Lab sessions | CSC 518 | 0-0-4-2 | 2 | Multivariate analysis, data reduction, regression analysis, moderation mediation analysis, | 40 | 60 |
| Masters’ thesis planning and initiation (proposal presentation, literature review, experimental design) | ||||||
**Courses with lab sessions
Semester 4
| Paper | Course Code | L-T-P-C | Credits | Theory Papers and Practical Labs | Sessional Marks | End Semester Marks |
| Paper 1 | CSC519 | 3-1-0-4 | 4 | Philosophy of Mind | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 2 | Elective 3 | 4-0-0-4 | 4 | Elective 3 | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 3 | Elective 4 | 4-0-0-4 | 4 | Elective 4 | 40 | 60 |
| Paper 4 | CSC520 | 0-0-0-16 | 16 | Master’s Thesis | 40 | 60 |
Elective Subjects
| Semester III | Semester IV | ||
| Set I | Set II | Set III | Set IV |
| 551 Time perception | 559 Advanced Statistics | 567 Computational Neuroscience | 575 Cognitive Development |
| 552 Emotions | 560 Multivariate Analysis | 568 Computational Vision | 576 Brain Computer Interfaces |
| 553 Actions | 561 Reading | 569 Computational Linguistics | 577 Language and Cognition |
| 554 Creativity | 562 Neurolinguistics | 570 Connectionist Modelling | 578 Usability Testing |
| 555 Consciousness | 563 Cognitive Disorders | 571 Brain Imaging | 579 Neuroscience of Memory |
| 556 Social Cognition | 564 Cognitive Robotics | 572 Pattern Recognition | 580 Speech Perception and Production |
| 557 Neuropsychological Testing | 565 Decision Making | 573 Advanced Signal Processing | 581 Special Topics in Cognitive Science: Human Computer Interaction Vision and cognition Methods in Cognitive Science |
| 558 Psychometrics | 566 Research ethics | 574 Multisensory Integration | |
| 582 Neuroscience of Brain Disorders | 583 Consumer Neuroscience | ||
Foundation courses and skill development courses:
- Scientific communication (writing and presentation skills)
- Languages: English/French/Mandarin and one of the Indian languages
Additional skill set: We propose to offer the following (short-term) courses: Art and brain, Computer applications, Programming, Mindfulness/Yoga training.
As resolved by the Advisory Committee of the Centre, the duration of PhD in the integrated program need not be restricted and may work the same way as it does for other PhD programs as per UGC norms given that 5 years is a very constrained period for MSc and PhD since there are no undergraduate programs in Cognitive Science and a 2-year course work is needed during Masters. The students who continue with the PhD in the integrated program will be entitled for the University fellowship given to PhD students of the University, given that the students in the Integrated program are admitted through a National entrance exam (COGJET) or GATE.
Placement Opportunities
Students after the Integrated PhD in Cognitive Science could be placed primarily in academic institutions as faculty or research scientists or as research engineers in the R&D divisions within the industry.
Faculty positions at IITs, ISSERs, IIMs, Central Universities like University of Hyderabad, Private Universities like Flame University, Ashoka University, Christ University and others have been employing Cognitive Science graduates.