Joint Degree Requirements

Specific Departmental Requirements

Brain and Cognitive Sciences

Standard PhD Requirements in Brain & Cognitive Sciences:

  • Four core courses (from three different areas)
  • Experimental Design and Statistics
  • Training in at least two research methodologies
  • Qualifying exam in area of specialization
  • Advanced courses as needed to achieve scholarly background

Brain and Cognitive Sciences and X:

  • Three core courses (across two different areas)
  • One statistics course
  • Training in one methodology from BCS; training in one methodology from "X"
  • Advanced courses
  • At least two-thirds of a qualifying examination

X and Brain and Cognitive Sciences:

  • Two core courses across two areas
  • Two (noncore) advanced BCS-parent courses
  • Two methods (at least one in BCS)
  • Half of the qualifying examination (as determined by the faculty in the relevant area of BCS
Qualifying Exam format (for BCS-only and BCS-joint degrees)

BCS as the only component of the PhD

The standard format will be a take-home exam with a certain number of questions and period of time during which the exam should be completed (four to five days). A reading list compiled by the student and his or her committee will define the domain.

The domain will be centered on the student's research interests, but should be broad enough to cover other areas of the brain and cognitive sciences that bear upon these interests. By requiring the committee's involvement in the construction of the list we expect adequate coverage of relevant perspectives from outside the student's immediate research.

BCS as Part of a Joint Degree.

As noted above, where BCS is the major component of the program, students will complete 2/3 of a qualifying exam. Students who minor in BCS will be expected to pass the equivalent of one-half of a qualifying exam.

Specific Departmental Requirements

Computer Science

Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Computer Science:

The Computer Science component of the degree will be satisfied by passing the qualifying examination in Artificial Intelligence or in Computational Linguistics. In addition, there should be evidence of capacity for research in Computer Science.

Linguistics

Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Linguistics:

Four of the six core courses in linguistics; it is also required that the student pass the masters exam (ordinarily meant to be taken after one year) in one of the three areas, as well.

Philosophy

Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Philosophy:

(1) Competence in logic at the level of Philosophy 210. (2) Two 400-level courses. (3) Two 500-level courses in an appropriate area. (4) A primary concentration area examination or a secondary concentration area examination. The latter is narrower in scope than the former. (5) Exhibit evidence of capacity for research in Philosophy.