BS, Computer Science/Cognitive Psychology
The CS and Cognitive Psychology combined major provides a foundation in general psychology, psychology of language, cognition, and statistics—all supplemented by an experimental laboratory course, seminar course, and psychology electives. Students who choose this program often have a general interest in human psychology or specific interests in artificial intelligence or human-computer interaction.

Current Course Catalog and Sample Schedule
BS, Computer Science/Cognitive Psychology
Program Requirements Plan of Study
Current students, please see your degree audit for up to date curriculum changes.
Previous Curriculum Requirements
2015
BS, Computer Science/Cognitive Psychology 2015 Requirements
Computer Science Overview Courses
First years or first year transfers should complete the following two courses:
COMPUTER SCIENCE FUNDAMENTAL COURSES
Complete the following four courses with corresponding labs, as indicated. A grade of C- or higher is required in each course:
- CS1800 Discrete Structures
- CS1801 Recitation for CS1800
- CS2500 Fundamentals of Computer Science 1
- CS2501 Lab for CS2500
- CS2510 Fundamentals of Computer Science 2
- CS2511 Lab for CS2510
- CS2800 Logic and Computation
- CS2801 Lab for CS2800
COMPUTER SCIENCE REQUIRED COURSES
Complete the following five courses:
- CS3500 Object-Oriented Design
- CS4100 Artificial Intelligence
- CS4500 Software Development
- CS4800 Algorithms & Data
- IS4300 Human Computer Interaction
Senior Seminar
Complete the following course:
- CS4000 Senior Seminar or THTR1170 The Eloquent Presenter
Computer Science Electives
- CS Elective 1
- CS Elective 2
A CS elective is a 4 SH course that is not already required and that is in the ranges:
- CS2600 or higher, except CS5010
- IS2000 or higher, except IS4900
English Requirement
Complete the following courses:
With permission, you may substitute ENGW3301 for ENGW3302.
- ENGW3301 Advanced Writing in the Disciplines
Mathematics Requirement
- MATH1341 Calculus 1 for Science and Engineering
Psychology Required Courses
Complete the following four courses:
- PSYC1101 Foundations of Psychology
- PSYC2320 Statistics in Psychological Research
- PSYC3464 Psychology of Language
- PSYC3466 Cognition
Psychology Elective Requirements
Complete one of the following:
Choose one of the following laboratory courses:
- PSYC4610 Laboratory in Psycholinguistics
- PSYC4612 Laboratory in Cognition
- PSYC4622 Laboratory in Sensation & Perception
Choose one of the following seminar courses:
- PSYC4658 Seminar in Psycholinguistics
- PSYC4660 Seminar in Cognition
- PSYC4668 Seminar in Sensation & Perception
A seminar course satisfies the Capstone Requirement.
Psychology Electives
Complete two courses from the following list. Note: Any additional course taken from the above 3 lists may be used as a Psychology elective:
- PSYC3402 Social Psychology
- PSYC3450 Learning and Motivation
- PSYC4520 Language and the Brain
- PSYC4522 Psychology of Reading
- PSYC4524 Cognitive Development
- PSYC4526 Categorization and Reasoning
- PSYC4652 Seminar in Ethics in Psychology
If you are an honors student, the following pair of courses will also count for the 2 Psychology electives:
Computing and Social Issues
Complete one of the following courses:
- SOCL4528 Computers & Society
- SOCL3485 Environment, Technology, and Society
- SOCL1280 The Twenty-First-Century Workplace
- ANTH3418 Wired/Unwired: Cybercultures and Technopolitics
- PHIL1145 Technology and Human Values
- IA5240 Cyberlaw: Privacy, Ethics, and Digital Rights
Required General Electives
Complete eight general electives. One of these electives must be used to satisfy the NU Core arts/humanities level 1 requirement. If the NU Core comparative study of cultures requirement is to be satisfied by taking a course, then it must also be one of the general electives.
2013
BS, Computer Science/Cognitive Psychology 2013 Requirements
Computer Science (49 or 50 SH: 11 @ 4 SH, 5 or 6 @ 1 SH)
Required Computer Science Courses (41 or 42 SH)
Students will take CS1200 during their first semester.
Students will take CS1210 in the semester before going on co-op.
- CS1200 CS/IS Overview 1CS1210 CS/IS Overview 2: Co-op Preparation
First year level courses with labs or recitations
- CS1800 Discrete Structures
- CS1801 Recitation for CS1800
- CS2500 Fundamentals of Computer Science 1
- CS2501 Lab for CS2500
- CS2510 Fundamentals of Computer Science 2
- CS2511 Lab for CS2510
- CS2800 Logic and Computation
- CS2801 Lab for CS2800
Upper level courses
- CS3500 Object-Oriented Design
- CS4100 Artificial Intelligence
- CS4500 Software Development
- CS4800 Algorithms and Data
- IS4300 Human Computer Interaction
Senior Seminar
- CS4000 Senior Seminar
Computer Science Elective Requirements (8 SH)
- CS Elective 1
- CS Elective 2
A CS elective is a 4 SH course that is not already required and that is in the ranges:
- CS2600 or higher, except CS5010
- IS2000 or higher, except IS4900
English (8 SH: 2 @ 4 SH)
- ENGW1111 (ENGL1111) College Writing
- ENGW3302 (ENGL3302) Advanced Writing in the Technical Professions
With permission, you may substitute ENGW3301 for ENGW3302.
- ENGW3301 (ENGL3301) Advanced Writing in the Disciplines
Mathematics (4 SH: 1 @ 4 SH)
- MATH1341 Calculus 1 for Science and Engineering
Psychology (36 SH: 9 @ 4 SH)
Required Psychology Courses (16 SH)
- PSYC1101 Foundations of Psychology
- PSYC2320 Statistics in Psychological Research
- PSYC3464 Psychology of Language
- PSYC3466 Cognition
Psychology Elective Requirements (20 SH)
Choose one of the following (4 SH)
- PSYC3452 Sensation & Perception
- PSYC3458 Psychobiology
Choose one of the following laboratory courses (4 SH)
- PSYC4610 Laboratory in Psycholinguistics
- PSYC4612 Laboratory in Cognition
- PSYC4622 Laboratory in Sensation & Perception
Choose one of the following seminar courses (4 SH)
A seminar course satisfies the Capstone Requirement.
- PSYC4658 Seminar in Psycholinguistics
- PSYC4660 Seminar in Cognition
- PSYC4668 Seminar in Sensation & Perception
Choose 2 Psychology electives from the following options (8 SH):
Any additional course taken from the above 3 lists may be used as a Psychology elective.
Further options:
- PSYC3402 Social Psychology
- PSYC3450 Learning and Motivation
- PSYC4520 Language and the Brain
- PSYC4522 Psychology of Reading
- PSYC4524 Cognitive Development
- PSYC4526 Categorization and Reasoning
- PSYC4652 Seminar in Ethics in Psychology
If you are an Honors student, the following pair of courses will also count for the 2 Psychology electives:
- PSYC4970 Junior/Senior Project 1
- PSYC4971 Junior/Senior Project 2
Computing and Social Issues (4 SH: 1 @ 4 SH)
Students learn how computing and social issues intersect.
Choose one.
- SOCL4528 Computers & Society
- SOCL3485 Environment, Technology, and Society
- ANTH3418 Wired/Unwired: Cybercultures and Technopolitics
- POLS3308 Governance and Society in the Cyberage
- IA5240 Privacy, Ethics, and Digital Rights
General Electives (32 SH: 8 @ 4 SH)
- Elective 1: Level 1 Arts/Humanities Core
- Elective 2
- Elective 3
- Elective 4
- Elective 5
- Elective 6
- Elective 7
- Elective 8
The general electives must be consistent with the policy on general electives articulated by the Khoury College of Computer Sciences on the college web site.
NU Core
1 of the general electives must be used to satisfy:
- Level 1 Arts/Humanities Core
Comparative Cultures Requirement
The Comparative Cultures Requirement must be satisfied. If this is done by taking a course then this course must be one of the general electives that is taken in addition to the NU Core Level 1 electives.
Integrative Courses
See CS4100 Artificial Intelligence.
See CS4500 Software Development.
See IS4300 Human Computer Interaction.
2009
BS, Computer Science/Cognitive Psychology 2009 Requirements
Computer Science (49 or 50 SH: 11 @ 4 SH, 5 or 6 @ 1 SH)
Required Computer Science Courses (41 or 42 SH)
- CS1200 CS/IS Overview 1
- CS1210 CS/IS Overview 2: Co-op Preparation
- CS1220 CS/IS Co-op Preparation
First year level courses with labs or recitations
- CS1800 Discrete Structures
- CS1801 Recitation for CS1800
- CS2500 Fundamentals of Computer Science 1
- CS2501 Lab for CS2500
- CS2510 Fundamentals of Computer Science 2
- CS2511 Lab for CS2510
- CS2800 Logic and Computation
- CS2801 Lab for CS2800
Upper level courses
- CS3500 Object-Oriented Design
- CS3800 Theory of Computation
- CS4100 Artificial Intelligence
- CS4500 Software Development
- IS4300 Human Computer Interaction
Senior Seminar
- CS4000 Senior Seminar
Computer Science Elective Requirements (8 SH)
- CS Elective 1
- CS Elective 2
A CS elective is a 4 SH course that is not already required and that is in the ranges:
- CS2600 or higher, except CS5010
- IS2000 or higher, except IS4900
English (8 SH: 2 @ 4 SH)
- ENGL1111 College Writing
- ENGL3302 Advanced Writing in the Technical Professions
With permission, you may substitute ENGL3301 for ENGL3302.
- ENGL3301 Advanced Writing in the Disciplines
Mathematics (4 SH: 1 @ 4 SH)
- MATH1341 Calculus 1 for Science and Engineering
General Requirements (4 SH: 1 @ 4 SH)
- SOCL4528 Computers & Society
Psychology (36 SH: 9 @ 4 SH)
Required Psychology Courses (16 SH)
- PSYC1101 Foundations of Psychology
- PSYC2320 Statistics in Psychological Research
- PSYC3464 Psychology of Language
- PSYC3466 Cognition
Psychology Elective Requirements (20 SH)
Choose one of the following (4 SH)
- PSYC3452 Introduction to Sensation & Perception
- PSYC3458 Psychobiology
Choose one of the following laboratory courses (4 SH)
- PSYC4610 Laboratory in Psycholinguistics
- PSYC4612 Laboratory in Cognition
- PSYC4622 Laboratory in Sensation & Perception
Choose one of the following seminar courses (4 SH)
- PSYC4658 Seminar in Psycholinguistics
- PSYC4660 Seminar in Cognition
- PSYC4668 Seminar in Sensation & Perception
Note: A seminar course satisfies the Capstone Requirement.
Choose 2 Psychology electives from the following options (8 SH):
Any additional course taken from the above 3 lists may be used as a Psychology elective.
Further options:
- PSYC3402 Social Psychology
- PSYC3450 Learning and Motivation
- PSYC4520 Language and the Brain
- PSYC4522 Psychology of Reading
- PSYC4524 Cognitive Development
- PSYC4526 Categorization and Reasoning
- PSYC4652 Seminar in Ethics in Psychology
If you are an Honors student, the following pair of courses will also count for the 2 Psychology electives:
- PSYC4970 Junior/Senior Project 1
- PSYC4971 Junior/Senior Project 2
General Electives (32 SH: 8 @ 4 SH)
- Elective 1: Level 1 Arts/Humanities Core
- Elective 2
- Elective 3
- Elective 4
- Elective 5
- Elective 6
- Elective 7
- Elective 8
The general electives must be consistent with the policy on general electives articulated by the Khoury College of Computer Sciences on the college web site.
NU Core
1 of the general electives must be used to satisfy:
Level 1 Arts/Humanities Core
Comparative Cultures Requirement
The Comparative Cultures Requirement must be satisfied. If this is done by taking a course then this course must be one of the general electives that is taken in addition to the NU Core Level 1 electives.
Integrative Courses
See CS4100 Artificial Intelligence.
See CS4500 Software Development.
See IS4300 Human Computer Interaction.
Revision History
BS, Computer Science/Digital Art Change History
Revision of September 13, 2012:
- Changes the definition of CS elective to the common definition that allows most CS and IS courses.
Revision of December 20, 2012:
- Notes the changes in offering the Overview and Co-op Preparation courses.
Revision of Summer 2013:
- Replaces the requirement for the course
- CS3800 Theory of Computation
with a requirement for the course
-
- CS4800 Algorithms and Data
- Replaces the requirement for the particular course:
- SOCL4528 Computers and Society
with the category Computing and Social Issues that requires one course out of five options:
-
- SOCL4528 Computers and Society
- SOCL3485 Environment, Technology, and Society
- ANTH3418 Wired/Unwired: Cybercultures and Technopolitics
- POLS3308 Governance and Society in the Cyberage
- IA5240 Privacy, Ethics, and Digital Rights
- Reflects the university decision to change the prefix for English writing courses from ENGL to ENGW.