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1. How/when do I declare a Cognitive Science Major?
In order to become a Cognitive Science (CGSC) major, a student must have completed 28 credit hours and have sophomore status. Students must also have a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Questions regarding Major/Minor Declarations may be addressed to personnel at the Student Services Building (SSB) at 831-8924.
2. Since I can’t officially become a CGSC Major until I’m a Sophomore, what can I do Freshman year?
Freshmen can declare the Cognitive Science Interest Major. Courses open to Freshmen include: CGSC 100: First Year Experience; LING 101: Introduction to Linguistics; CGSC 270: Introduction to Cognitive Science; and PSYC 100: General Psychology. (For detailed information about the FYE, see Questions 3a and 3b below.)
In terms of additional courses, Freshmen are encouraged to begin fulfilling University of Delaware Breadth, Multicultural, Mathematics, and Second Writing Requirements during their first year at UD. (See Question #6 for additional related information.)
To assist students with curricular planning, a “Preliminary Application for the B.S. in Cognitive Science” can be found on the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science website (www.ling.udel.edu). This form is in PDF format and can be downloaded and printed so that students may track their progress.
3a. What is the First Year Experience (FYE)?
3b. Is there a FYE for Cognitive Science Majors?
The Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science has developed a First Year Experience (FYE), CGSC 100, for those Freshmen students who declare the Cognitive Science Interest Major. Offered every Fall semester, this eight-week, one-credit course provides a general introduction to Cognitive Science and describes the interdisciplinary nature of the field. Appropriate University personnel will speak about UD and student resources available. Additional segments in the FYE are taught by different Cognitive Science faculty members, so students early on will meet and interact with instructors with whom they may not currently have classes. The Director of Undergraduate studies will offer a session on advisement as well. The FYE provides an opportunity for all Cognitive Science Interest Majors to take a course together at the outset of their UD experience. The FYE discusses: the rationale for the CGSC curriculum; the work of research labs at UD; graduate school opportunities; career options; and current research in the field. The FYE also assists students in identifying and focusing their interests in Cognitive Science.
4. I entered UD with some Advanced Placement (AP) credit. How can I make sure that I have received credit for the course(s)?
UD students have access to their transcripts through the UDSIS system. They are responsible for monitoring their records and verifying that credits appear.
Questions should be directed to personnel at the Student Services Building (SSB) at 831-1551 (for credit transfer) and 831-1554 (for unofficial transcript copies).
5. I am a transfer student. How do I make sure that I receive credit for the courses I took at another academic institution?
UD students have access to their transcripts through the UDSIS system. They are responsible for monitoring their records and verifying that credits appear.
Questions should be directed to personnel at the Student Services Building (SSB) at 831-1551 (for credit transfer) and 831-1554 (for unofficial transcript copies).
6. Are there different concentrations within the Cog Sci Major? If so, where can I learn about them?
Students have access to detailed information about courses, concentrations and requirements on the Dept. website: www.ling.udel.edu. All of the possible concentrations are listed there.
7. May I use one course to satisfy multiple UD and departmental requirements?
Students MAY use one course to satisfy several requirements (like Breadth, Second Writing, etc.) at the UD level. HOWEVER, YOU ONLY RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THE COURSE ONCE.
At the Departmental level, you may NOT use the same course twice – once to satisfy a Major requirement (i.e. CGSC) and again to satisfy a Minor (i.e. LING) requirement. The only exception to this rule within our Department is that some of the Multicultural courses can also fulfill another requirement. For example, LING 101 can be used to satisfy the UD Multicultural requirement, and it also counts toward the Cog Sci Major and/or LING Minor.
8. I’m unclear about the Mathematics Requirement. Could you provide further details?
First, if you have not taken Math at UD yet, you should take the Math Placement Exam. More information about Math courses and the Math Placement Exam is available on the web at http://www.math.edu/placement/pt_info.html. This site will direct students to sample problems and their solutions, commonly asked questions, and review programs for Math 010, Math 114/115, Math 221 and Math 241, including a trigonometry review.
If you feel you that you have a strong foundation in math, you can take the math proficiency exam. Dates for the Math Proficiency Exam administration and more information regarding the test and how to sign up may be found at http://www.math.edu/teaching/waiver.html. Successfully passing the math proficiency exam will satisfy the A&S Math Requirement for your degree.
Additional Math questions can be addressed to the Math Department. Contact information: Office: 501 Ewing Hall; Phone: 302-831-2653, and/or send an email to www.math.udel.edu.
RE: UD Math courses, I direct your attention to page 91 of the UD catalog. The Department of Linguistics is recommending Option 2 and, within it, MATH 114. Of course, if you have already taken MATH 113, 115, 117 or 127, you have already fulfilled the Math Requirement for your Arts and Sciences Degree.
Note that only 3 credits of Math are required by UD. The catalog says “0-4” credits. Most Math courses are 3 credits, with the exception of MATH 117, which is 4.
Also note that, if you were to take both 114 and 115, only ONE of those courses would count. The maximum number of credit hours you can receive toward your MATH requirement is 4 (once again, 117 is 4 credits).
9. How do I choose an advisor once I declare the Cog Sci Major?
New majors generally consult initially with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (currently Prof. Nancy Schweda Nicholson - nsn@udel.edu) in the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science. Once they focus their interests within the field, they are free to choose an advisor from any of the Cog Sci faculty. The faculty member must agree to act as the advisor.
10. If I declare a CGSC Major, can I also Minor in LING?
Yes, CGSC Majors may elect to Minor in LING. HOWEVER, no course can be counted for requirements in both the Major and Minor EXCEPT LING 101. The BS in Cognitive Science requirements and the Linguistics Minor requirements must be fulfilled using different courses.
11. I notice that there are many Psychology (PSYC) courses included in the requirements and electives for the CGSC Major. Do all of the listed pre-requisites apply for CGSC Majors?
Yes. For example, PSYC 314: Brain and Behavior requires that students take both PSYC 207 and PSYC 209 as pre-requisites.
12. Are substitutions ever allowed for required PSYC courses?
Yes. Students should be aware that PSYC 340: Cognition and PSYC 344: Psychology of Language may be substituted for PSYC 314. However, please note that both of these courses have 207 and 209 as pre-requisites as well. You must also earn a grade of C- or better in both 207 and 209.
Another possible substitute for 314 is PSYC 310: Sensation and Perception. However, this course may not be offered as frequently as 314, 340, and 344. Keep this in mind.
13. Are there also acceptable substitutions for PSYC 209?
The PSYC Dept. has approved several courses as substitutes for PSYC 209. They are:
STAT 200: Basic Statistical Practice (3)
(Pre-req: College algebra)
SOCI 301: Intro. to Sociological Research (3)
(Pre-req: Completion of SOCI 201 and completion of the College of Arts and Sciences Math requirement)
MATH 202: Intro. to Statistical Methods II (3)
(Pre-req: MATH 201)
MATH 205: Statistical Methods (4)
(Pre-req: MATH 210 or 230)
14. If I take one of the approved substitutions for a PSYC or MATH course, for example, does it also count as the pre-requisite for taking another course?
Yes. For example, STAT 200 qualifies as a substitute for PSYC 209. When you are ready to take PSCY 314 (which has PSYC 209 as a pre-requisite), your STAT 200 course counts as having satisfied the PSYC 209 pre-requisite. The same is true for other approved course substitutions in terms of satisfying pre-requisites.
15. I’m not sure about when to take LING 485. Do I enroll in sequence with the other courses?
Dr. Mineo advises that students wait until the end of their program to register for LING 485, as it is appropriate only for advanced students who are ready to graduate.
16. I’ve heard that Individual and Family Studies (IFST) 414: Classroom Management/Guidance and Behavior Support is open to CGSC Majors. Are there any special procedures for enrolling?
Five slots per semester have been reserved for CGSC Majors in IFST 414: Classroom Management/Guidance and Behavior Support.
The pre-and co-requisites stated in the catalog ARE WAIVED for CGSC Majors.
If you are interested in taking this course, please contact Ms. Ruthann Schurman at RSCHUR@UDEL.EDU , and she will assist you in the registration process.
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!!
17. I see that a Discovery Learning Experience (DLE) is required of all students. Can you tell me more about the DLE?
Please go to www.ugs.udel.edu/DLE to read more about the DLE.
The most common way that students satisfy the DLE requirement is participating in a Study Abroad Program.
Also, under the DLE FAQs, see the question: "When and how can students take a DLE at UD?"
Within the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science, the options are currently: (1) the Study Abroad Program in Italy*; (2) Independent Study; and (3) a Research Experience. The latter would involve working in one of our UD professors’ labs.
In terms of an Independent Study, students must arrange to meet with the professor in advance and map out the coursework and evaluation criteria, making sure that the DLE requirements are fulfilled.
In addition, the Department Chair must approve the DLE proposal.
*Note that ALL UD Study Abroad Programs satisfy the DLE requirement, not just those that are housed in the student’s home department.
18. I plan to volunteer at an early learning center, a K-12 school, rehabilitation center, or other clinical facility over the summer or winter break. Can I count this as my DLE?
No. As stated, the DLE is limited to the 3 options outlined in Question 16.
19. What are my options if I am almost ready to graduate, but learn that there is still a course or two that I didn’t take for a major and/or UD requirement?
Students must realize that THEY are responsible for taking courses when they are offered and for completing requirements in a timely fashion. As you have seen in other sections of the FAQs, course substitutions are sometimes permitted.
Students should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies with any questions BEFORE they register for a course they would like to have considered as a substitution.
20. I am a currently a high school senior and prospective student for the University of Delaware and would hope to be an incoming Fall 2008 student. I recently visited the campus and really loved it. I have some questions about the new B.S. in Cognitive Science—in particular the Speech-Language Pathology concentration—and hope that you will be able to answer them for me.
20a. I am extremely interested in communication sciences and disorders. What must I do to become a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or audiologist?
You are interested in a field that offers a multitude of interesting and rewarding career paths. Because of nationwide shortages of qualified SLPs and audiologists, positions are abundant and tend to offer reasonably good salaries, in addition to other incentives such as sign-on bonuses, paid professional development and the like. Those interested in clinical practice can work in schools, hospitals, private practice, rehabilitation facilities and clinics. Other positions offer opportunities for research, teaching and administration. SLPs and audiologists also work in sales or corporate settings.
The path toward becoming an SLP or audiologist requires commitment and hard work. To be certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), an individual must complete a Master’s Degree at an accredited program, pass a national examination, and complete a Clinical Fellowship Year.
Because there are fewer than 300 accredited Master’s programs nationwide, graduate school admission is highly competitive. It is important for undergraduates to maintain a respectable GPA (3.2 or better) and to accumulate a portfolio of experiences that broaden their horizons, such as volunteer work, participation in faculty research, and involvement in the UD Chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA).
If you haven't already visited the website of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (www.asha.org), we encourage you to do so to learn more about the path toward becoming an SLP. There is also abundant information about graduate programs on that website.
20b. Can I complete all of the academic requirements for national certification at UD?
The University of Delaware can provide you with a strong foundation for graduate study through its Speech-Language Pathology concentration in the Cognitive Science major. Please see our website (www.ling.udel.edu) for detailed information on courses, concentrations and requirements.
As noted above, a master’s degree is required for ASHA certification, and there is currently no graduate program in this discipline in the State of Delaware.
20c. How will UD’s Speech-Language Pathology concentration prepare me for graduate school and beyond?
Even before UD established the Cognitive Science Major in 2007, undergraduate students were able to access a strong line-up of courses that function as pre-requisites for most graduate programs. Even without a major at UD over the past 12 years, former students have enjoyed remarkable success in getting into graduate school. Our small program has afforded students many valuable options for exposure to language science beyond what is typically offered in most undergraduate programs. For example, students have access to research opportunities and are able to take advantage of much individual interaction with faculty members and Speech/Language Pathologists (SLPs) in the community. We stress with our undergraduates that they have to keep their GPAs very high. Those who really struggle in UD’s Speech Pathology Concentration are encouraged to consider other career tracks.
In addition to the coursework, students in the Speech Pathology Concentration complete their entire clinical observation requirement for national certification (25 hours) while at the University of Delaware. Our program has strong ties to the professional community in the State, affording students numerous opportunities for clinical observation and, at times, supervised clinical experiences. Many students have secured volunteer or paid positions in local clinical settings. The National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) Chapter on campus also offers students many wonderful opportunities for collegiality, networking, and community service.
Former UD undergraduates have been accepted into graduate programs at Temple University, University of Maryland, University of Pittsburgh, Loyola University, Towson University, University of Arizona, University of Texas at Austin, East Carolina University, Teachers College at Columbia University, Boston University, University of Virginia, Pennsylvania State University and other highly respected schools in the region and across the country.
For Speech Pathology questions beyond those addressed in the FAQs, please contact Dr. Beth Mineo directly at mineo@udel.edu.
21. What should I do to officially declare a Major in Cognitive Science?
Click on “Students” on the UD Homepage. On the next page, click on “Change of Academic Program Plan.” This form allows you to add/delete majors and minors. Note that only one academic program change is allowed per semester.
22. Can I declare both a Minor in Linguistics and a Minor in Cognitive Science if I have a major in another department?
Yes, you may. Note, though, that only LING 101 may be used to satisfy a requirement for both minors. All other courses must be different.
23. Where is Dr. Nancy Schweda Nicholson’s office located?
Dr. Nicholson’s office is at 46 East Delaware Avenue, Room 203. It’s in one of two small red brick houses with painted porches right next to the large public parking lot behind the Galleria Shopping Center. Her office building is located directly across the street from Wolf Hall and McKinley Lab.
24. Can a student “double major” in CGSC and another field?
Yes, this is possible. However, since the CGSC degree is a B.S., the other elected major field must also grant a B.S. Each major discipline requires the completion of 30 credit hours. The student receives one diploma (a B.S.). If students elect two disciplines (one that grants a B.S. and another that grants a B.A.), then such a program is considered a double degree. In this case, a student must complete 30 credits beyond the minimum required for the first degree (or 154 credits total). The student then receives two separate diplomas (a B.S. and a B.A.) at graduation. 25. I am interested in the B.S. in Cognitive Science, but would like to create my own custom Concentration. Is this possible? Yes, it is possible. Students wishing to do so must draw up a proposal which: (1) explains the rationale for their request; (2) includes a list of the courses they propose; and (3) demonstrates how the courses fit together in a cohesive whole. The individualized Concentration must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and the Department’s Undergraduate Studies Committee. 26. Which courses am I allowed to take Pass/Fail? Courses that are required for the Major or Minor may NOT be taken Pass/Fail. Moreover, Breadth Requirements are not eligible for a Pass/Fail grade. The only courses that may be taken Pass/Fail are true electives. 27. I plan to take a course over Winter Session that is a pre-requisite for a course I wish to take in the Spring. Can I sign up for the Spring class during the Pre-Registration period in the preceding Fall? You should be able to IF you have already registered for the Winter Session course BEFORE Spring Pre-registration begins. If you have done so, the course will already be in the UDSIS system. If there is a problem, you can contact our Dept. Administrative Assistant, Jane Creswell ( creswell@udel.edu), who can override the process that is blocking you from the course. 28. I plan to take a course over Summer Session that is a pre-requisite for a course I wish to take in the Fall. Can I sign up for the Fall class during the Pre-Registration period in the preceding Spring? You should be able to IF you have already registered for the Summer Session course BEFORE Fall Pre-registration begins. If you have done so, the course will already be in the UDSIS system. If there is a problem, you can contact our Dept. Administrative Assistant, Jane Creswell ( creswell@udel.edu), who can override the process that is blocking you from the course. 29. I am a Junior or Senior transfer student and new to the CGSC Major. Should I take CGSC 100: First Year Experience (FYE) even though I am an advanced student? Yes, we recommend the FYE to all new students in CGSC, no matter what their status. It is an extremely helpful course to everyone who is interested in pursuing the B.S. in Cognitive Science. 30. I have just declared the Cog Sci Major on UDSIS. What is my next step? First, to assist students with curricular planning, complete the “Preliminary Application for the B.S. in Cognitive Science,” which can be found on the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science website (www.ling.udel.edu) in numerous locations. This form is in PDF format and can be downloaded and printed so that students can track their progress. When completing page 2 of the form, fill in ALL of the courses you have taken at UD on a semester-by-semester basis. Also make sure to include the courses you are currently taking. Finally, use the additional space to plan out your entire 4 years at UD. Pay close attention to the link on the website re: “When Courses Are Offered” as you plan. For example, LING 480: Introduction to Sociolinguistics is only offered in the Spring semester, so be careful not to insert it in a Fall semester. This is a common mistake made by students. Also, make sure to read all of the Cog Sci FAQs, as they provide a wealth of information and are based on questions that we have received from students. For example, the FAQs list courses that may be substituted for the requirements included on the Preliminary Application. As a result, it is a good idea to have the FAQs handy as you fill out this form. After you complete the Preliminary Application, put it in Dr. Nancy Schweda-Nicholson’s mailbox at 46 E. Delaware Ave. She will review it and contact you to schedule an appointment to answer any additional questions that are specific to your personal situation and are not treated by the FAQs.
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Cog Sci FAQs 