Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science

at Mount Allison University Canada

Chemistry is the branch of physical science involving the study of the composition of substances, the ways in which their properties are related to their composition, and the interaction of substances to produce new materials.
The general purpose of studies in chemistry is to increase our understanding of the structure and behaviour of the matter of our environment. A knowledge of chemistry is important to the solution of problems in important areas of the environment, medicine, and the utilization of resources.

The chemistry program at Mount Allison – fully accredited by the Canadian Society of Chemistry (CSC) – is designed to provide students with an education in the main branches of the subject, namely:

• Analytical
• Organic
• Inorganic
• Physical
• Computational

In upper years, students are offered some choice and flexibility with a curriculum that covers advanced courses, including:

• Advanced organic chemistry
• Physical organic chemistry
• Nanoscience and nanotechnology
• Physical chemistry: statistical thermodynamics, computational chemistry
• Inorganic chemistry: organometallics, physical aspects, bioinorganic, structure and bonding in main group chemistry
• Advanced quantum mechanics
• Environmental chemistry

The interdisciplinary nature of chemistry means you may also take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, mathematics, and psychology.

The chemistry and biochemistry department emphasizes experiential learning – you will graduate with 600 to 1,200 hours of lab experience, developing important analytical and presentation skills along the way.

Research is a key component of the department's approach. You will be encouraged to take advantage of faculty-supervised independent research, job opportunities as summer research assistants, and chances to contribute to faculty research projects, which often leads to co-authoring a paper with your professor for publication.

Cognitive Science is the scientific study of the mind and its processes. It seeks to understand how the mind works through interdisciplinary studies in psychology, computer science, and philosophy.

Within the Department of Psychology, the Cognitive Science program incorporates perspectives from a variety of fields.

In first and second year you'll take introductory courses, plus courses such as:

• cognitive processes
• biopsychology
• systems programming
• philosophy of science

In third and fourth year you'll add courses in linguistics, while pursuing courses such as:

• sensation and perception
• behavioural neuroscience
• philosophy of mind
• artificial intelligence
• medical physics

You'll also be encouraged to pursue independent summer research projects, directed studies projects, or to contribute to faculty research projects as a research assistant.

Biochemistry is the study of living organisms at the molecular level.
As part of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mount Allison's biochemistry program is designed to provide students with a solid science foundation in the first two years, with paths for specialization in third and fourth years.

You will begin your studies by examining the world around you at the molecular level, with courses including:

• Introductory biochemistry
• Introductory chemistry
• Cell biology
• Organic or analytical chemistry
• Enzymology and metabolism

Third-year is a pivotal year in the program as you will take core lab courses that lay the foundation for research in biochemistry, including lab only courses like Molecular Analyses and Experiential Biochemistry.

Upper year courses concentrate on sub-disciplines of biochemistry, with topics like:

• Nucleic acids
• Molecular structure of the immune system
• Animal, bacterial, and plant viruses
• Protein structures and function
• Biochemical ecology
• Lipids and membranes
• Signal transduction
• Animal physiology

Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary program, which means you may also take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and mathematics.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry emphasizes experiential learning — you will graduate with 600 to 1,200 hours of lab experience, developing important analytical and presentation skills along the way.

Research is a key component of the department's approach. You will be encouraged to take advantage of faculty-supervised independent research, job opportunities as summer research assistants, and chances to contribute to faculty research projects, which often leads to co-authoring a paper with your professor for publication.

Cognitive Science is the scientific study of the mind and its processes. It seeks to understand how the mind works through interdisciplinary studies in psychology, computer science, and philosophy.

Within the Department of Psychology, the Cognitive Science program incorporates perspectives from a variety of fields.

In first and second year you'll take introductory courses, plus courses such as:

• cognitive processes
• biopsychology
• systems programming
• philosophy of science

In third and fourth year you'll add courses in linguistics, while pursuing courses such as:

• sensation and perception
• behavioural neuroscience
• philosophy of mind
• artificial intelligence
• medical physics

You'll also be encouraged to pursue independent summer research projects, directed studies projects, or to contribute to faculty research projects as a research assistant.

Learning Spanish and about Hispanic culture and literature will open doors that you never knew existed. It will change the way you think about the world around you. As one of the most-spoken languages in the world, Spanish can also serve you in the workplace, while on vacation, or in your career as a student.

We offer three degree options.

1. If you’ve already selected a major, consider a MINOR in Spanish. Many students specializing in International Relations, History, Commerce, Sociology and even Biology pursue a minor in Spanish because knowledge of the language helps them pursue career paths in international contexts or in the developing world. 

2. A MAJOR in Spanish truly embraces the language, cultural and literary contexts of the Hispanic world, drawing from the rich cultures of Latin America as well as Spain. Our courses entice students to travel or study abroad and offer authentic encounters with the Hispanic world through art, film and most importantly, literature.

3. An HONOURS in Spanish via the Interdisciplinary Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures degree, with an emphasis on Spanish. Combined with the study of two other languages, this degree option allows you to gain intimate knowledge of three languages while focusing on the culture and literature of the Spanish-speaking world.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behaviour. The goals are to describe, explain, and predict behaviour, allowing for a scientific means of optimizing human development, abilities, and quality of life.

At its core, psychology is the quest to understand why people do what they do. The objectives of psychological study are to understand human nature, for its own sake, and to provide an increasingly reliable basis for the application of psychological principles to education, social policy, and medical treatment.

At Mount Allison, psychology can be pursued either as a science or an arts discipline, depending on your interests.

As the scientific study of mind and behaviour, psychology studies is a:

• Social science – how people influence the behaviour of others, why we do what we do, personality and self-concept
• Biological science – physiological mechanisms, neuroanatomy, evolutionary origins of mental and behavioural phenomena
• Cognitive science – sensation and perception, abstract thinking, reasoning, language, memory

The psychology program at Mount Allison offers students a diversity of courses, while maintaining a strong core curriculum. Courses are offered in areas of psychology like:

• Developmental
• Biological
• Neurological
• Cognitive
• Social
• Personality
• Abnormal
• LearningHealth

Psychology students develop their knowledge by using scientific methods to analyze behaviour, employing careful observation and experimentation to develop and test theories. The results are theories, backed up by facts, that further your comprehension of the human mind.

Canadian Public Policy is an interdisciplinary program examining public decision-making and policy processes related to environmental, social, health, and economic policy.

The Canadian Public Policy program provides an adaptable and broad knowledge base for students interested in all levels of Canadian-based policy work, giving students a strong foundation in policy analysis and implementation. This involves understanding the public policy process, policy analysis, intergovernmental relations, economic forces and political considerations.

History helps us understand the individuals, groups, ideas, and institutions that have shaped our world. It encourages critical analysis and helps develop your communication and writing skills.

The Department of History at Mount Allison offers courses in a wide variety of subjects. It has a particular strength in European history, with courses also available in Canadian, American, Asian, Acadian, and women’s history.

Courses examine subjects such as:

• Class and gender
• Wealth and poverty
• Faith and science
• Self and social identity
• Government and politics
• War and peace

Unlike many programs, which begin with introductory courses, history offers courses on a diverse range of topics beginning in first year.

The number and variety of courses available increases each year, with the greatest selection in third year.

In fourth year there are also opportunities for independent studies, which permit you to pursue an interest in an area not covered by other courses.

Computer Science
At Mount Allison, computer science courses are designed to address the needs of a wide variety of users, from the casual to the professional. Whether you want to learn more about certain software or to develop advanced programming skills, Mount Allison has a computer science course for you.

Introductory computer science courses offer an overview of programming skills, the use and application of popular software, and the essentials of computing. More advanced courses deal with topics ranging from artificial intelligence and the role of computers in society to the design and implementation of advanced hardware or software systems.

Specialized areas include:

• theory of computation
• cryptography
• artificial intelligence
• databases
• computer graphics
• networks
• software and hardware design

All courses in the computing curriculum offer a blend of theory and practical application, with many of the offerings having a significant project component in which students are given the opportunity to apply the classroom material to real-world problems.

Physics
At Mount Allison, a key feature of Physics is the experiential learning approach used in many courses — students learn through collaborative, hands-on activities. In the Physics program, the development of fundamental concepts and mathematical formulation proceeds simultaneously in a selected series of courses in physics and mathematics.

Physics also prepares you for more advanced study in applied areas such as photonics, materials science, or biomedical engineering; or for a career in such fields as astronomy, space research, or oceanography. Introductory physics involves a combination of mini-lectures, lab work, and collaborative learning experiences.

While in upper years you may choose to pursue studies in subjects like:

• astrophysics
• quantum mechanics
• electricity and magnetism
• statistical mechanics
• advanced physical chemistry
• electronics
• medical physics
• thermodynamics
• nuclei and fundamental particles
• solid state physics
• energy production and the environment
• modern optics

Studies in drama and in the theatre form an integral part of Mount Allison's special mission and tradition in the fine and performing arts, as well as playing a vital role in the University's overall efforts to provide a liberal education. The best in theatre and drama allows us to rehearse alternative realities. It shows us new perspectives, challenges us, and touches us, as our lives and the issues we face are reflected back in new and surprising ways. It can change our lives and change our world. Students involved in Drama at Mount Allison are challenged to work creatively and resourcefully, solving problems, and discovering and exploring new means of communication and expression - all within a cooperative collaborative environment that is intimate enough to allow special attention to the individual student.

In response to our mandate as an interdisciplinary program in Drama Studies within the liberal education focus on Mount Allison University, our curriculum focuses on breadth, introducing students to as many areas of the discipline as our faculty and staff are qualified to teach. Our capstone independent theatre projects course (DRAM 4011 Advanced Theatrical Interpretation) allows students to gain a measure of advanced work in areas of interest, while our extensive theatre season means all students (both drama and non-drama) have ample opportunity to experience a wide range of skills: artistic, practical, academic, social, managerial, critical, and experimental. All dimensions of drama work are fully contextualized in the broader degree structure, which means students are not only exposed to at least one other field in some depth through their Minor subject, but also introduced to a multiple of complementary and distribution study areas.
 
Students' involvement with the Interdisciplinary Program in Drama may evolve through the formal routes of the Major or Minor in Drama described elsewhere under programs on this website, or it may take the form of co-curricular or extra-curricular activities in support of Drama Program productions in the University's brand-new multi-functional Motyer-Fancy Theatre. Typically, a total of up to ten shows are mounted every year, performed and crewed by students, with direction and design by a mixture of theatre professionals and senior students.

Participation in the Motyer-Fancy Theatre is open to all Mount Allison students, regardless of their chosen field of study.

Many Mount Allison graduates - both those who followed the formal path of Major or Minor, and others who worked on Drama Studies theatre productions as enrichment of their academic programs have gone on to careers in acting, directing, theatre management, stage management, design, and playwriting both in Canada and abroad.