Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!ucsd!sdics!norman From: norman@sdics.ucsd.EDU (Donald A. Norman) Newsgroups: comp.cog-eng Subject: Re: programs in cognitive science Keywords: some answers Message-ID: <583@sdics.ucsd.EDU> Date: 26 Jul 88 13:51:50 GMT References: <88Jul16.231948edt.388@neat.ai.toronto.edu> <580@sdics.ucsd.EDU> <1382@wor-mein.UUCP> Reply-To: norman@sdics.UUCP (Donald A. Norman) Distribution: all Organization: UC San Diego Cognitive Science Department Lines: 47 Two questions have been asked: 1. Can anyone see sample curricula? 2. Is anyone planning to offer a Masters program in Cognitive Science? 1. Ken Livingston at Vassar College is putting together information about Cognitive Science programs, including some information on curriculum. There is also an old document produced at Rochester a number of years ago that gives sample curriculula (but I don't know how to get it and it is probably quite out of date by now). One problem is that all these programs are relatively new and the faculty are still experimenting with ideas. Our sample curriculum, for example, is only that -- a sample generated to help the administration understand what we might do. Now that we have a department, the sample will indeed be our guide, but it is likely to be revised substantially in the coming year because the faculty we have hired is not the same as the faculty that constructed the sample. So, to see an accurate picture of what we are going to do, you have to wait 6 months. Painful, but what can I say? 2. Masters degrees. All programs should speak for themselves, but I predict that this is unlikely. Most universities are set up for full time students with either undergraduate aims or PhD aims. The masters degree is usually offered on the way to a PhD as an aid to students who prefer it, or who might have to drop out along the way. Most departments will probably not accept students who only wish a masters degree (I predict). This is a common philosophy in science departments. Part of our argument is that the major function of graduate training in the sciences is independent research, not courses. hence, the PhD is more appropriate. If, however, there is really significant demand (a steady strem of 20 +/- qualified applicants per school per year) things are apt to change. Note that Engineering departments usually have a different philosophy, and they often have very good masters programs. don norman Donald A. Norman Department of Cognitive Science C-015 University of California, San Diego La Jolla, California 92093 INTERNET: danorman@ucsd.edu INTERNET: norman@ics.ucsd.edu BITNET: danorman@ucsd.bitnet UNIX:{decvax,ucbvax,ihnp4}!sdcsvax!ics!norman