CMSC 100
Exploring Computer Science
An introduction to the ideas, problems, methods, and solutions of computer science. We will emphasize algorithmic thinking and treat computer science
as a science—investigating issues, at a beginning level, of interest to actual computer scientists. Not intended as preparation for CMSC 250 or 270.
Units: 6.
LING 150
Introduction to Linguistics
Introduction to theory and methods of linguistics: universal properties of human language; phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic structures and analysis; nature and form of grammar.
Units: 6.
EDST 180
Psychology of Learning
An investigation of how people learn. This course examines learning theories (
e.g., behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, constructivist) and their implications for the educational process in schools. Other topics include learning and the brain, the nature of expertise, the design of learning environments, and approaches to instruction that promote meaningful learning. Practicum of 20 hours required.
Units: 6.
Also listed as Psychology 180
PSYC 260
Developmental Psychology
A study of the development of behavior and mental processes from conception through middle childhood. Topics include prenatal development, attachment, children’s language skills, and social and cognitive development. A variety of theoretical perspectives are covered.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or sophomore standing
PSYC 265
Developmental Psychology
Identical in content to Psychology 260, but requiring a weekly three-hour laboratory that involves systematic work with children to learn and apply assessment techniques and experimental methodologies for the study of development.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or sophomore standing
PHIL 300
Epistemology
An examination of some basic questions concerning the nature and extent of human knowledge, focusing on the topics of skepticism, justification, certainty, the
a priori and the
a posteriori, and analyses of knowledge.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor
ANTH 330
Language and Culture
An examination of language and other cultural symbolic systems used to formulate and communicate meanings. Attention to social factors in language use, including ethnicity, social class, gender, and the nation-state. Some consideration of the ways that language both reflects and influences people’s ways of thinking.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: One anthropology course or one linguistics course, or consent of instructor.
Also listed as Linguistics 330
LING 340
Introduction to Syntax
An introduction to descriptive analysis of morphological and syntactic structures in natural languages with an emphasis on gaining insight into the nature of such structures, rather than on linguistic formalization. Topics include levels of representation, X-bar theory, case theory, thematic roles, the lexicon, grammatical function-changing rules, and head-complement relations.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: LING 150 or consent of instructor
PSYC 340
Cognitive Psychology
An investigation of the mental processes involved in the acquisition, organization, and use of knowledge. Information-processing and other approaches are used to study pattern recognition, attention, memory, imagery, problem-solving, and related topics. One laboratory per week involving class demonstrations and experiments.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or sophomore standing
EDST 345
Distributed Cognition
Distributed cognition explores the role of the environment, artifacts, social interaction, and culture in human reasoning, problem-solving, and learning. Domains of study range from the sophisticated (ship navigation) to the everyday (time-telling). Emphasis is placed on studies of cognition in real-world settings.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
Also listed as Anthropology 345, Psychology 345
LING 350
Introduction to Phonology
An introduction to the formal study of phonetics, phonemics, and phonological analysis and theory. Topics include stress, syllable structure, tones, metrics, phonotactics, and links between phonology and morphology/syntax; exercises on familiar and unfamiliar languages.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: LING 150 or consent of instructor
PSYC 360
Brain and Behavior I
An introduction to the structure and function of the nervous system and its relationship to behavior. Topics include cellular physiology, neuroanatomy, sensory processes, motor control, and neuropharmacology. No laboratory.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; at least one biology course recommended
LING 370
Phonetics
An introduction to the science of speech sounds, focusing on descriptive and experimental studies of articulation and speech acoustics. Laboratory demonstrations of speech production, acoustical analysis, and speech synthesis are combined with lecture/demonstrations to relate phonetics research to theories of phonology and language acquisition.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: LING 150, PSYC 340, or consent of instructor
Also listed as Psychology 375
PSYC 370
Perception
An introduction to the physiological and psychological processes by which we receive, transform, and use the information from the world acquired through our senses. Special emphasis on visual and auditory perception to allow a more in-depth study of two perceptual systems and to provide information useful to those interested in the visual arts and music.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or sophomore standing
PHIL 400
Philosophy of Language
An examination of major theories of meaning, reference, and cognitive content and an attempt to understand how language functions to relate “internal” psychological states to things in the “external” world. Contemporary philosophers are emphasized.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor; PHIL 150 recommended
Also listed as Linguistics 400
ECON 410
Advanced Game Theory and Applications
This course develops game theory, the science of strategic interaction,
i.e., interdependent individuals seeking to promote their self interest, with applications in economics, biology, and philosophy. The mathematical nature of game theoretic models will be reflected in a focus on problem solving.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: ECON 300 and either ECON 225 or consent of instructor
PHIL 410
Philosophy of Mind
An examination of our common sense conception of mental states and processes and of attempts to answer the question, “Is our common sense conception of mental states and processes compatible with the methods and assumptions of cognitive science?”
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy, PSYC 340, junior standing, or consent of instructor
CMSC 470
Artificial Intelligence
A detailed investigation into foundational concepts of artificial intelligence: search, knowledge representation, and automated planning. Specific topics include uninformed and heuristic search techniques, logic-based knowledge representations, automated theorem-proving, logic programming (Prolog), action representations, means-ends analysis, regression and partial-order planning, and reachability analysis using graphs.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CMSC 270
LING 470
Cognitive Linguistics
Cognitive linguistics is a subfield of linguistics and cognitive science that studies conceptual structure, language, and meaning in relation to general cognitive mechanisms. Topics include cognitive and construction grammars, categorization, construal, image schemas, mental spaces, conceptual metaphors, and conceptual blending.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: LING 150 or consent of instructor
CMSC 515
Theory of Computation
A study of programming in the abstract, leading to an understanding of the precise nature and limitations of computing machines. Topics include universal computing machines such as Turing machines, decidable and undecidable predicates, regular and pushdown automata, and regular and context-free grammars.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: MATH 300 and CMSC 150
PSYC 540
Topics in the Psychology of Language
An examination of the nature and structure of language, integrating knowledge from linguistics, psychology, neurophysiology, and sociology. Focus on the psychological theories and experimental evidence about language production and perception.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: PSYC 340, LING 150, or consent of instructor
Also listed as Linguistics 450
