COGS001: Introduction to Cognitive Science

COGS001: Introduction to Cognitive Science
Fall term, 2007

(Also known as: CIS 140, Linguistics 105, Philosophy 044, Psychology 107)

the thinker

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

How do minds work? We survey a wide range of answers to this question, focusing especially on ideas embodied in computational or mathematical models. Topics include perception, action, thought, learning, memory and social interaction. For details, see the course schedule.

COGS001 (under any of its cross-registered names) may be counted towards the General Requirement in Formal Reasoning & Analysis (Gen Req IV). It has been given at Penn for more than ten years.

CONTACT INFO:

For questions, please email cis140@seas.upenn.edu. You are, of course, also welcome to email the instructors, but the cis140 account will get a faster response. All information, including the bulkpack, is available on this web page.

INSTRUCTORS:

Prof. Lyle Ungar
ungar@cis.upenn.edu


Office hours:	3330 Walnut St. 504 Levine
	Wed 3:30-5:00 or by appointment

Prof. Virginia Richards
richards@psych.upenn.edu


Office hours:	3401 Walnut St. Room 316C
	Mon 1:00-2:30 or by appointment

TEACHING ASSISTANTS:

Thomas Lee
thomyle@sas.upenn.edu

Office Hours: Fri 11-12
3401 Walnut St., Room 330C

Section: Tues 10-11,
3401 Walnut St, Room 314C

Rana Molana
molana@seas.upenn.edu

Office Hours: Tues 4-5
512 Levine

Section: Tues 3-4
512 Levine

Ted Sandler
tsandler@seas.upenn.edu

Office Hours: Mon 6-7 p.m.
512 Levine

Section: Mon 5-6 p.m.,
512 Levine

COURSE LOCATION AND TIME:

Lectures: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:30 - 3:00 in 100 Towne, Heilmeier Hall

PREREQUISITES:

None.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING:

There will be six homeworks, two midterms and a term paper. The homeworks will count for 40% of the grade, the midterms for 45%, and the term Â paper for 15%. The lowest of the six homework grades will be dropped. There will be no final exam.

LATE HOMEWORK PENALTY

Homework received after 1:30 p.m. on the day it is due will be penalized as follows:

15% reduction if 0-24 hours late
30% reduction if 24-48 hours late
45% reduction if 48-72 hours late
no credit if more than 3 days late

ALL homeworks are submitted via Blackboard.

REGRADE REQUESTS

Requests for regrades (Homework and Exams) must be submitted to one of the professors within one week of HW/Exam return.

READINGS:

A bulkpack can be obtained from the SEAS copy center (on the ground floor of the Levine Building; enter on Walnut between 33rd and 34th). In addition, the course readings are available in digital form, from the schedule of lectures and readings or on blackboard.

There is no textbook.