Cognitive Science | Math & Logic for Cognitive Science
Q250 | 7146 | --

Cognitive Science ,  Math & Logic for Cognitive Science
Q250 ,  7146 ,
MoWe 9:30AM - 10:45AM  PY 113
Lab: Fr 9:05AM - 9:55AM
Cognitive science aims to provide rigorous explanations of the
processes that underlie intelligent behavior. To this end, cognitive
scientists employ a wide variety of tools and concepts from logic
and various branches of mathematics. In this course, we explore a
range of topics in math and logic that are particularly important
for cognitive science: propositional and predicate logic, automata
theory, and probability theory.

For each topic, our goal is twofold: first, to understand the basic
mathematical and conceptual underpinnings; second, to understand the
relevance for cognitive science. To address the latter, we consider
each mathematical topic as it fits within a certain area of
cognitive science. Thus, we consider logic and automata theory as
they relate to computational models of the mind, and probability
theory in the context of Bayesian modeling. Ideally, then, students
will come away from this course with two things: (1) a skill set of
basic mathematical tools and (2) appreciation and enthusiasm for how
these tools can be used to model and understand the mind.  The
material for the course is self-contained and no prerequisites
beyond a sound high school mathematics background are needed.