Cognitive Science
"Cognitive science called to me because it took every academic interest and showed me a real-life application," said one UB student. "It's a means of not just studying people, but making a difference in those people's lives."
Think about how you understand the words you're reading right now. Consider what makes you smart, what makes you creative, or how we decide what "intelligence" means in people and machines.
If you want to explore these types of questions—and use the answers to make the world a better place—then cognitive science might be right for you.
What will I learn?
As a cognitive science major, you'll choose most of your own classes based on your interests. For some students, that means focusing on computer science and neuroscience. For others, it could be taking more classes in philosophy, psychology, geography or linguistics, or finding ways to bring disciplines together to pursue a unique goal. Of course, you'll also gain a foundational (and valuable) understanding of how our minds work.
What can I do with a cognitive science degree?
Design a social media app. Reimagine the education system. Streamline patient care in a hospital. Create a new display for self-driving cars. With a cognitive science degree, you can help improve the way we understand and navigate the world around us, one interaction at a time.
As a student of cognitive science, you can apply your degree to a job you love, including (but certainly not limited to):
- Application programmer.
- Artificial intelligence researcher.
- Data analyst.
- English teacher.
- Government intelligence agent.
- Health care product designer.
- Legal assistant.
- Linguistics expert.
- Map designer.
- Marketing director.
- Professor.
- Psychologist.
- Social media manager.
- Software development engineer.
- Survey designer.
- Systems analyst.
- Transportation designer.
- UX (user experience) designer.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $87,060.00 | $41.86 | Rapid Growth |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $133,140.00 | N/A |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.