Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology - Cognitive Psychology

at Carleton University Canada

Cognitive science involves the study of cognition, perception, and emotion from a wide range of perspectives. Despite the many different methodologies they use, cognitive scientists are united in their interest in the mind—and the brain.

Researchers in our program (students and faculty members) study the mind by combining the methods and theories of five disciplines: psychology, philosophy, linguistics, neuroscience and computer science. This interdisciplinary approach allows unique insights into human understanding, thought, perception, language and emotion.

The Bachelor of Cognitive Science is offered as an Honours program with either a thesis or coursework option, and as a three year degree.

Historians of art and architecture study visual communication. In Carleton’s Art History program, we study the great monuments of Western culture—painting, sculpture and buildings—but we also study Asian and other non-Western art, North American Indigenous art, photography, printmaking and popular culture as well as the institutions of art itself: museums, galleries and exhibitions.

Our material ranges from the prehistoric to the present day. Our students come away from the program with direct experience of collections of art here in the National Capital Region and a historical framework for understanding imagery, as well as an awareness of the multiple possibilities for interpreting art, architecture and other visual phenomena.

Specifically, we examine how representations work. We analyze the products of the human imagination and the visual expressions of different societies. Such analyses produce a historical awareness as well as an understanding of modes of expression in different cultures. This knowledge provides students with the intellectual tools that allow them to function as informed and thoughtful individuals in and increasingly visual and globalized society.

Language is an essential part of what it is to be human and this program gives you the opportunity to examine how language works in real life. The field of Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies develops and applies theories to solve everyday problems involving language. Course materials address such questions as how languages are taught and learned, how language competencies are evaluated, how writing is used to perform a variety of functions, how language is used in specific social contexts, how language can influence society and vice versa, how government policies influence language practices and what makes a bilingual education program effective.

In the twenty-first century, literature has become one of the most compelling ways to enter into the many cultural worlds that converge in contemporary societies. This BGInS specialization responds to the dramatic rise and transformation of global literatures since the era of decolonization by exploring the following questions: How do writers express experiences of living in multiple national communities? How do we understand colonialism, diaspora and migration through literature? How can we reimagine the study of literature as a transnational and global field rather than one that is bounded by national borders? Building from the commitment of the English department to a wide range of global literatures and approaches, the specialization offers students the rich experience of looking at these literatures in dialogue with other interdisciplinary contexts in global studies.

In this program, students will analyze responses to questions about identity, history, and the basis of political and ethical commitments that have been posed by the world’s major religions. The study of religion nurtures in students a respect for the complex identities of others, their histories, and their cultures. You can study the history and literature of Christianity, Islam and Judaism; examine Asian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism; follow the rise and fall of religious leaders and movements; or explore common themes in a variety of religious traditions, such as the environment, the role of women, or death and the afterlife. A degree in Religion will equip you for many career opportunities in our increasingly multicultural world, where religious beliefs play a significant role in human affairs and continue to affect local and global events.

This disciplinary specialization provides a good general understanding of the economic forces invoked by government intervention and helps students gain familiarity with current best evidence on the magnitude of these forces. The program’s relatively non-technical approach will give students with diverse backgrounds the opportunity to learn about issues related to economic globalization, international and public-sector economics, and the ways in which associated challenges might be resolved for the improvement of people’s well-being. This specialization will be of particular interest to students who aspire to work in economic policy institutions such as central banks, government finance ministries, trade policy institutions, financial regulatory agencies, macroeconomic think tanks, and international lending institutions.

Computer Mathematics provides you with a background in computer-related mathematical ideas, plus a strong foundation in computer science. If you want to pursue a career in government, industry, management, or systems analysis, this may be the program for you.

The world of information technology is always evolving. What is now commonplace was once a breakthrough. As a student in one of the Bachelor of Information Technology programs, you will acquire the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to address the IT issues of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.

The Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) offers four distinct programs: Information Resource Management (IRM), Interactive Multimedia and Design (IMD), Network Technology (NET) and Optical Systems and Sensors (OSS). These programs are offered jointly by Carleton’s School of Information Technology and Algonquin College’s schools of Health and Community Studies (for IRM), Media and Design (for IMD), and Advanced Technology (for NET and OSS). You will graduate with a Bachelor of Information Technology degree from Carleton University and one of: a Library and Information Technician diploma (for IRM students), an Advanced Diploma of Applied Arts (for IMD students), an Advanced Diploma in Technology (for NET students) or an Advanced Diploma in Photonics and Laser Technology (for OSS students) from Algonquin College.

Optical Systems and Sensors 
Our Optical Systems and Sensors (OSS) program is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in IT and electronics combined with the leading optics/photonics technology. This program combines computer programming, and signal and image processing courses with foundational courses in physics, math, project management and business. While also acquiring a strong IT background, students will learn about digital signal processing, optical communication networks, lasers, manufacturing and advanced optical component design through our specialized hands-on laboratories. Upper year courses include advanced subjects such as computer vision, remote sensing (especially LIDAR), and biomedical imaging and biosensors. Our program has very strong ties with industry and we make every effort to ensure that the program remains up to date with current trends through an industrial advisory board (in the IT, Laser, Optics and Photonics fields). Students that possess both IT skills and a fundamental understanding of optical technologies are in extremely high demand in today’s local industries.

Carleton’s Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) is a wide-ranging and career-focused program that will provide you with the skills required to succeed in the rapidly changing worlds of medicine, biomedical research and healthcare research. You will gain a strong foundation in the scientific knowledge and methods involved in the study of human health, along with the capacity to engage in broader multidisciplinary, multi-sector, and multicultural approaches to finding solutions to some of the most crucial health issues of our time.

Health Throughout the Lifespan
This concentration focuses on health and illness through the stages of human life. There are few health sciences programs in Canada that include lifespan studies, and Carleton’s program is unique in featuring courses that explore the entire lifespan, from neonatal development to old age. You will learn about the biological aging process, including how events occurring early in life can have effects that appear much later, in the form of medical conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and depression. In addition, you will explore the biomedical basis of health and disease, and have the opportunity to learn how factors such as gender and social conditions can influence health.

Carleton’s Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) is a wide-ranging and career-focused program that will provide you with the skills required to succeed in the rapidly changing worlds of medicine, biomedical research and healthcare research. You will gain a strong foundation in the scientific knowledge and methods involved in the study of human health, along with the capacity to engage in broader multidisciplinary, multi-sector, and multicultural approaches to finding solutions to some of the most crucial health issues of our time.

Disability and Chronic Illness
This concentration is unique to Carleton. It introduces you to the biomedical, social and psychological basis of chronic illnesses and explores treatment strategies to enable productive and healthy lives. Chronic illnesses and disabilities affect the quality of life of a large number of people and include heart disease, cancer, chronic pain conditions, mental health problems and physical disabilities. You will learn about biomedical, cognitive and technological advances, as well as the ethical dilemmas affecting intervention and treatment.