GRADUATE PROGRAM IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE

 

Head of Program: Albert Ali Salah

Executive Committee: İ. Ercan Alp, Meltem Kelepir, Albert Ali Salah, Cem Say, Karanfil Soyhun

Professors: H. Levent Akın, İ. Ercan Alp, Ethem Alpaydın, Reşit Canbeyli, Fikret Gürgen, İlhan İnan, Berna Kılınç, A.Sumru Özsoy, A.C. Cem Say, Ali Tekcan, Stephen Voss

Associate Professors: Haluk Bingöl, Ayşecan Boduroğlu, Tunga Güngör, Mine Nakipoğlu Demiralp, Pınar Yolum

Assistant Professors:, Meltem Kelepir, Esra Mungan, Markus Pöchtrager, Albert Ali Salah, Karanfil Soyhun, Lucas Thorpe

 

The Master of Arts Program in Cognitive Science aims at introducing the students to the investigation of cognitive processes of various dimensions. It is offered through the cooperation of the Computer Engineering, Linguistics, Philosophy and Psychology Departments/disciplines.

 

To fulfill the requirements of the M.A. program, students must complete a minimum of 26/32 credits of course work and submit a thesis supervised by their academic advisor.  The course work consists of two courses per semester in each of the two areas selected by the student.  In the second year, students are expected to write a thesis on a topic that involves the two areas in which they specialized in their first year.

 

The advisor of the program oversees the selection of courses by the student and the course list for each semester is finalized upon the advisor’s consent.  

 

Each student is expected to take a total of eight undergraduate courses in their remedial year in preparation for the program.  Four of those courses, one from each disipline, are taken in the first semester of the remedial year. In the second semester, students are expected to select two areas for specialization and take two courses in each of these areas. Those students who hold a Bachelor’s degree in any one of the four disciplines must choose two areas out of the remaining three. An additional requirement for the remedial year is that students take COGS 500 Introduction to Cognitive Science.

 

The courses and their distributions in terms of the semester during the academic year are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M. A. PROGRAM IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE

 

 

First Year

 

First Semester                                                            Second Semester____________

 

Elective in Area 1*                         3/4                       Elective in Area 1*              3/4

Elective in Area 1*                         3/4                       Elective in Area 2*              3/4

Elective in Area 2*                         3/4                       Elective in Area 2*              3/4

Free elective                                    3/4                       Free elective                         3/4

COGS 579                                       --

                                                   _______                                                              _____

                                                      12/16                                                                12/16

 

Second Year

 

COGS 690     Thesis

 

 

I. Remedial Courses

 

First Semester                                                            Second Semester____________

 

CMPE 150     Intro. to Computing       3                    2  Electives in Area A**      6

LING  111     Intro. to Lang. & Ling.   3                   2  Electives in Area B**      6

PSY     --      Area elective                    3                               

PHIL   --      Area elective                    3                                                                                   

COGS 500                                            3

                                                            ___                                                             ____

                                                            15                                                                12

 

Computer Engineering                                

CMPE 150 Introduction to Computing

     or an equivalent programming course

CMPE 210 Fundamentals of Object Oriented Programming
CMPE 220 Discrete Computational Structures
CMPE 300 Analysis of Algorithms
CMPE 350 Formal Languages and Automata Theory
CMPE 480 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

 

Linguistics

LING 111 Introduction to Language & Linguistics

LING 300 Morphology

LING 301 Phonology

LING 302 Syntax

 

 

 

 

 

Philosophy

PHIL 131  Logic I
PHIL 222  Philosophy of Science

PHIL 232  Scientific Thought

PHIL 273  Epistemology

PHIL 284  Free Will and Determinism

PHIL 301  Problems in Contemporary Philosophy

PHIL 342  The problem of Perception

PHIL 372  Philosophy of Language

PHIL 375  Philosophy of Mind

PHIL 380  Philosophy of Action

PHIL 402  Ego

PHIL 420  Advanced Philosophy of Science

PHIL 421  Theories of Rationality

PHIL 422  Mind and Cognition

PHIL 480-498 and PHIL 48A- 49Z Special Topics in Philosophy

PHIL 499  Individual Study

 

Psychology                                                    

PSY 228  Cognitive Psychology

PSY 233  Life-Span Development: Biological and Cognitive Processes

PSY 271  Introduction to Neuroscience: Brain and Behavior

PSY 301  Research Methods in Social Sciences I

PSY 304  Experimental Psychology

PSY 326  Human Memory

PSY 327  Sensation and Perception

PSY 48A-Z Selected Topics in Psychology

 

II. Area/elective course list

 

Computer Engineering

CMPE 530  Mathematical Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence

CMPE 537  Computer Vision

CMPE 540  Principles of Artificial Intelligence

CMPE 544  Pattern Recognition

CMPE 545  Artificial Neural Networks

CMPE 561  Natural Language Processing

CMPE 58K Special Topics in Computer Eng.: Bayesian Statistics and Machine

Learning

CMPE 565  Autonomous Robots

CMPE 623  Speech Processing

CMPE 630  Intelligent Control

 

Linguistics***

LING 400 Phonology in the 20th Century

LING 406 Language and Identity

LING 408 Language and Gender

LING 453 Introduction to Discourse Analysis

LING 461 Brain and Language

LING 501 Aspects of Phonology

LING 502 Issues in Government Phonology

LING 512 Morphological Analysis

LING 522 English-Turkish Contrastive Grammar and its Application

LING 541 Syntactic Theory

LING 553 Discourse Analysis

LING 480-499 Special Topics in Linguistics

LING 580-599 Topics in Linguistic Theory

 

Philosophy

PHIL 505 Theory of Knowledge

PHIL 580-588, 591-599 Special Topics in Philosophy

PHIL 590 Directed Study

PHIL 644 Philosophy of Action

PHIL 648 Philosophy of Language

PHIL 652 Philosophy of Mind

PHIL 674 Topics in the Philosophy of Science

PHIL 676 Topics in Logic

PHIL 682 Freedom and Determinism

 

Psychology

PSY 501  Advanced Research Methods I

PSY 502  Advanced Research Methods II

PSY 521  Advanced Cognitive Psychology

PSY 528  Memory

PSY 531  Advanced Developmental Psychology

PSY 532  Cognitive Development

PSY 588-591  Special Topics in Cognitive Psychology

 

III. Other Courses

 

COGS 500 Introduction to Cognitive Science
COGS 579 Graduate Seminar in Cognitive Science

 

 

*The two areas at the graduate level do not have be the same as those at the remedial year.  That is, if the sudent was a graduate of one of the disciplines represented in the program, then s/he may choose that discipline as one of the areas at the graduate level. An area elective may be replaced with a different course with the consent of the advisor.

 

**Students are to choose two disciplines out of  the available four, when they enter the program as their specialization areas for the remedial year.  Those two have to be different from the one in which they obtained their Bachelor’s degree.

 

***Those students who have selected Linguistics as one of the areas at the first year, are required to include LING 501 Aspects of Phonology or LING 541 Syntactic Theory as one of the four courses they must select from among the courses offered in this area.

 

Course Descriptions

COGS 500 Introduction to Cognitive Science (Bilissel Bilime Giris) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6

Introduction of basic concepts, approaches and issues in the field of cognitive science to increase the awareness of the students to the questions raised in the disciplines of computer science, linguistics, philosophy and psychology; focus on the interaction of these disciplines in approaching the study of the mind; specialization on topics central to cognitive science such as the nature of mental representation, reasoning, perception, language use, learning as well as other cognitive processes of humans and other intelligent systems.

 

COGS 579 Graduate Seminar (Lisansüstü Seminer) (0+1+0) 0 Pass/ Fail ECTS 3

The widening of students' perspectives and awareness of topics of interest to cognitive science through seminars offered by faculty, graduating thesis students, and invited guests from industry, government, business, and academia.

COGS 690 M.A. Thesis (Yüksek Lisans Tezi) ECTS 30

CMPE 530 Mathematical Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (Yapay Zekanin Matematiksel Temelleri) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8

Signal terminology. Empirical modeling and approximation. Probability concept and signal characteristics for classification. Random processes and decision making. Fundamentals of learning. Optimization theory in classification. Information theory and fuzzy concept applications.

 

CMPE 537 Computer Vision (Bilgisayarla Gorme) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8

Image formation. Early processing: low-level vision and feature extraction. Boundary detection. Region growing. Texture. Motion. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional representation. High-level vision: learning and matching.

 

CMPE 540 Principles of Artificial Intelligence (Yapay Zekanin Prensipleri) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8

General problem solving methods in artificial intelligence. Search methods. Production systems. Games and heuristics. Knowledge representation. Artificial Intelligence Languages.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

 

CMPE 544 Pattern Recognition (Oruntu Tanima) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8

Bayes decision theory. Parametric and nonparametric methods. Linear discriminant functions. Higher order discriminants with emphasis on artificial neural network-based learning methods. Unsupervised learning and clustering. Case study: Vision.

Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

 

CMPE 545 Artificial Neural Networks (Yapay Sinir Aglari) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8

Introduction to cognitive science. Parallel, distributed problems. Constraint satisfaction. Hopfield model. Supervised vs. unsupervised learning. Single vs. multi-layer perceptrons. Static vs. dynamic network architecture. Comparison of neural approaches with parametric and nonparametric statistical methods. Neural network applications.

Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

 

CMPE 561 Natural Language Processing (Dogal Dil Isleme) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8

Levels of natural language processing: morphological, syntactic and semantic analysis. Transformational grammars. Affix grammars and 2-level representation and processing. Transition networks and ATN parsing. Meaning and interpretation. Applications: intelligent interfaces, text processing aids, machine translation, natural language understanding.

Prerequisite: CMPE 540 or consent of the instructor.

 

CMPE 565 Autonomous Robots (Ozerk Robotlar) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8

Robotic hardware: Sensors, actuators. Review of control methods. Intelligent control approaches. Learning. Planning. Robotic architectures: classical, reactive, behavior-based, hybrid. Multi-agent systems.

Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

 

CMPE 58K Special Topics in Computer Eng.: Bayesian Statistics and Machine Learning (Bayesçi İstatistik ve Yapay Öğrenme) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8

Bayes theorem. Generative models. Multivariate distributions. Approximate inference. Linear dynamical systems.

Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

 

CMPE 630 Intelligent Control (Akilli Denetim) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8

Review of control concepts. Definition of intelligent control. Knowledge representation and search methods. Expert systems for control. Fuzzy logic control. Neural networks and control. Evolutionary algorithms and control. Intelligent control architecture. Intelligent control applications.

Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

 

LING 400 Phonology in the 20th Century (20. Yuzyilda Sesbilim) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 5

Development of key notions in phonology from the beginning of structuralism to modern generative models. Discussion of the scientific background and the philosophical underpinnings of phonological theory. Comparison of various phonological theories and their central tenets.

Prerequisite: LING 301 or consent of the instructor.

 

LING 406 Language and Identity (Dil ve Kimlik) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 5

Exploring the use of language in the construction of selves and identities and in the formation of social relationships; different approaches, methodologies, and findings from related fields including sociolinguistics, pragmatics, discourse studies, and cultural studies.

Prerequisite: LING 111 or consent of the instructor.

 

 

LING 408 Language and Gender (Dil ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet)  (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 5

Exploring connections between language use and gender/sex systems. Introduction to a variety of sociolinguistic concepts such as style, dialect, speech community. Conversation analysis and politeness theory.

Prerequisite: LING 111 or consent of the instructor.

 

LING 453 Introduction to Discourse Analysis (Soylem Cozumlemesine Giris) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 5

Analysis of the organization and structure of discourse in both written and spoken texts. Examining text structure in terms of cohesion and coherence, rhetoric and genre features as well as the grammatical components of discourse such as sentence structure, information structure and prosody.

Prerequisite: LING 111 or consent of the instructor.

 

LING 461 Brain and Language (Beyin ve Dil) (3+1+0) 3 ECTS 5

Overview of language and cognition with particular focus on evolutionary bases of language. Nature/usage based accounts of its emergence; brain sites relevant in linguistic processing, comprehension; First language acquisition.

Prerequisite: LING 111.

 

LING 501 Aspects of Phonology (Sesbilim: Cesitli Yaklasimlar) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

Various theoretical approaches to phonology and the application of these approaches are considered. Issues concerning the phonological structure of languages are investigated with data from individual languages.

Prerequisite: LING 301 or consent of the instructor.

 

LING 502 Issues in Government Phonology (Yönetim Sesbiliminde Konular) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

Discussion of central notions of Government Phonology, and of the technical aspects of the theory. Comparison of the standard model to some of its descendants as well as to other current models of phonology. Recent developments in the sub-theories of Government Phonology.

Prerequisite: LING 501 or consent of the instructor  

 

LING 512 Morphological Analysis (Morfolojik Analiz) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

Aspects of morphological structures in linguistic analysis and various theoretical approaches to the subject. Issues concerning the morphological structure of languages are investigated with data from particular languages.

Prerequisite: LING 301, 302 or consent of instructor.

 

LING 522 English-Turkish Contrastive Grammar and its Application (Ingilizce-Turkce Karsitsal Dilbilgisi ve Uygulamasi) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

A detailed analysis and comparison of English and Turkish structure at the phonological, morphological and syntactical levels, followed by analysis of written and textual material.

Prerequisites: LING 301, 302, ENGL 201, TK 204 or consent of the instructor.

 

LING 541 Syntactic Theory (Sozdizimi Kurami) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

Analysis of the syntax of natural languages within the framework of generative grammar. Current issues relevant to this particular theory of grammar are considered.

Prerequisite: LING 302 or consent of the instructor.

 

LING 553 Discourse Analysis (Söylem Çözümlemesi) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

Discourse analysis as an interdisciplinary approach to language use in social context. Discussion of different theoretical frameworks, social theories and methods used in discourse analysis. Readings in current research topics.

 

LING 480-499 Special Topics in Linguistics (Dilbilimde Ozel Konular) (3+1+0) 3 ECTS 5

Study of selected topics in linguistics, focusing on areas not covered in other undergraduate courses.

Prerequisite: LING 111 or consent of the instructor.

 

LING 580-599 Topics in Linguistic Theory (Dilbilim Kuraminda Konular) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

Extensive reading, discussion and research on topics selected by the instructor.

Prerequisites: LING 301, 302 or consent of the instructor.

 

PHIL 505 Theory of Knowledge (Bilgi Kurami) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

A comprehensive survey of one or a number of chosen problems such as the nature, limit and source of human knowledge, truth, skepticism, foundationalism and holism, justification, theories of perception, criteria of knowledge and its classification.

 

PHIL 580-588, 591-599 Special Topics in Philosophy (Felsefede Ozel Konular) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

Study of special topics in philosophy not covered in other courses at the master's level.

 

PHIL 590 Directed Study (Yonlendirilmis Calisma) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

Reading and research on a topic of interest chosen by the student and approved by the instructor.

 

PHIL 644 Philosophy of Action (Edim Felsefesi) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

An examination of theories concerning the analysis of human action, intention, describability of action and its ontic consequences, reasons and causes, differences between voluntary and merely intentional action, freedom of the will and responsibility.

 

PHIL 648 Philosophy of Language (Dil Felsefesi) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

A detailed examination of various aspects of contemporary philosophy of language. Theories of meaning, reference, sentential form, the relation of meaning to truth, topics such as mental representation, speech acts, and the ontological dimensions of meaning.

 

PHIL 652 Philosophy of Mind (Zihin Felsefesi) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

An in depth study of recent developments in the philosophy of mind such as behaviorism, central-state materialism, functionalism, problems of supervenience, representation and content.

 

PHIL 674 Topics in the Philosophy of Science (Bilim Felsefesi Konulari) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

An in-depth study of some of the major issues and controversies in the philosophy of science.

 

PHIL 676 Topics in Logic (Mantik Konulari) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

An examination of one or more topics such as modal logic, many-valued logic, free logic and the like, and philosophical problems that arise in connection with them.

 

PHIL 682 Freedom and Determinism (Ozgurluk ve Determinizm) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 10

An examination of the problem of human freedom and determinism in relation to action and intention, taking into consideration the metaphysical and/or moral implications.

 

PSY 501 Advanced Research Methods I (İleri Arastirma Yontemleri I) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 8

General survey of social science research techniques. Experimental and non-experimental research designs. Measurement theory, reliability and validity. Sampling theory and designs. Overview of statistical evaluation procedures.

 

PSY 502 Advanced Research Methods II (İleri Arastirma Yontemleri II) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 8

Data collection and scaling procedures. Multivariate analysis techniques; regression analysis, factor analysis and related procedures. Complex experimental procedures. The writing of research reports.

 

PSY 521 Advanced Cognitive Psychology (İleri Bilissel Psikoloji) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 8

An in-depth analysis of advanced topics in human cognitive processes underlying perception, mental imagery, short- and long-term memory, language comprehension, decision making, problem solving and skilled performance, including both theory and basic experimental findings.

 

PSY 528 Memory (Bellek) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 8

An examination of historical and contemporary theoretical approaches in the field of memory; evaluation of empirical findings, including implications for memory related disorders.

 

PSY 531 Advanced Developmental Psychology (Ileri Gelisim Psikolojisi) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 8

An in-depth survey of classical and current issues in developmental psychology with reference to theory and empirical research.

 

PSY 532 Cognitive Development (Bilissel Gelisim) (4+0+0) 4 ECTS 8

An overview of both classical and recent theories of cognitive development discussed in the light of empirical findings.

 

PSY 588-591 Special Topics in Cognitive Psychology (Bilissel Psikolojide Secilmis Konular) (2+0+4) 4 ECTS 8

Readings and/or research on special topics in cognitive psychology.