Cognitive science is an interdisciplinary field devoted to exploring the nature of cognitive processes such as perception, reasoning, memory, attention, language, imagery, motor control, and problem–solving. The goal of cognitive science is to understand (1) the representations and processes in our minds that underwrite these capacities, (2) how they are acquired, and how they develop, and (3) how they are implemented in underlying hardware (biological or otherwise). Stated more simply, the goal of cognitive science is to understand how the mind works.

Because cognitive science is an inherently interdisciplinary endeavor, Yale’s Cognitive Science faculty includes members whose primary affiliations are in a wide variety of departments, laboratories, and programs across campus. See the Associated Faculty page for more details and a full list of affiliated faculty members.

The undergraduate major is open to students by application only. Application forms to the major, and a list of frequently asked questions about the major can be found here.