Introduction

The department of Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences allows students to fulfill requirements for a Sc. M. and a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science, or an A.M. and Ph.D. in Linguistics. Information about obtaining an application can be found by clicking here. Master's degrees are only awarded as part of the process of obtaining a Ph.D. These are flexible programs with specializations in theoretical, experimental, and computational approaches to the study of language, visual perception, and cognition.

Our graduate program is designed to prepare students for careers as researchers, scholars, and teachers in academic or applied settings. Through coursework and research apprenticeships, students gain a broad competence in the scientific issues and experimental and computational methods relevant across fields. Students are expected to develop a deep expertise in one or more research specializations.

Programs of study are highly individualized. Decisions about research and coursework are made in close collaboration with a research advisor and graduate committee chosen by each student. Students often change areas and advisors as their interests develop.

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Requirements

Our department offers A. M. and Ph.D. degree programs in Linguistics, and SC. M. and Ph.D. degree programs in Cognitive Science. Students are admitted to the department as a whole. They choose the program in Cognitive Science or Linguistics at the beginning of their second year.

Degree requirements for the Ph.D. in Cognitive Science

1. First year project (Also required for the Ph.D. in Linguistics)

By the beginning of the student's second year of residency, he or she will have completed a written report on a research project carried out under the supervision of a research committee consisting of that student's advisor and at least two other faculty members. The project is designed to involve incoming students in research right away, and many first-year projects become published articles. The student must also pass an oral examination based on this research.

2. Course Requirements

Ph.D. students in Cognitive Science must complete 10 substantive courses in Cognitive Science and related disciplines, including the graduate proseminar (CG200). They must also demonstrate expertise in one of the 10 areas of specialization, and competence in two other of these areas. In addition, the Cognitive Science Ph.D. program also requires methodological expertise in at least two subjects important to the conduct of research in Cognitive Science.

3. Methodological Proficiency

Each student must demonstrate proficiency in at least two methods important to conducting research in Cognitive Science. These include: linguistic analysis, experimental and statistical methods, computational modeling, computer programming, speech analysis and synthesis, field and survey research, and neurophysiological techniques. Proficiency may be demonstrated by the successful completion of appropriate courses in Cognitive Science or related departments, or by competent use of a particular method in the student's own research. The student's advisor and committee will determine the methodologies in which the students must demonstrate proficiency and the means by which such proficiency is to be demonstrated.

4. Preliminary Examination

Each student must write a preliminary examination, using during the first semester of the third year. It consists of a substantial theoretical or interpretive review of some area of Cognitive Science.

This will normally take place by the end of the third year of residency. The paper must meet the standards set by the student's preliminary examination committee, which will consist of the student's advisor and at least two other appropriate faculty members. The successful completion of the preliminary examination usually requires revision of a first draft, based on comments provided by the committee. Certification of doctoral candidacy will be made after the student has successfully completed the preliminary examination.

5. Teaching Requirement

Every student must complete at least four semesters of supervised teaching practice either as a teaching assistant or enrolled in the Practicum in Teaching (CG205).

6. Ph.D. Dissertation

Each student must complete an acceptable dissertation and oral defense based on a significant research contribution to Cognitive Science. A thesis topic should be chosen and a committee formed by the end of the third year, and the research should be discussed with them over the summer. A dissertation proposal must be defended before a meeting of the student's faculty committee, preferably before the end of the first term of the student's fourth year. A penultimate version of the dissertation should be submitted to the committee at least two weeks prior to the oral defense. The defense must be scheduled at least two weeks before the final version of the dissertation is due to the Graduate school, usually on May 1, of the year of graduation.

Degree requirements for the Ph.D. in Linguistics

1. First year project

A first year project, including a report and presentation, is required for the Ph.D. in Linguistics, under the same conditions as required for the Ph.D. in Cognitive Science.

2. Course Requirements

Ph.D. students in Linguistics must complete 10 substantive courses in Linguistics and related disciplines, including at least auditing the graduate proseminar (CG200). In addition, Ph.D. students in Linguistics must
demonstrate familiarity with the following three areas, usually by taking
courses as follows:

(1) Phonetics and phonology: to be demonstrated by at least one course
in phonetics and at least one course in phonology
(2) Syntax and semantics: to be demonstrated by at least one course in
syntax and at least one course in semantics
(3) Acquisition, computational linguistics, neurolinguistics and/or
psycholinguistics: to be demonstrated by at least two courses in these
areas

3. Foreign Language Requirements

Proficiency in one foreign language must be demonstrated. A native speaker of a language other than English may offer English as one of the two languages required, but s/he may not offer his/her native language.

4. Major Paper

Each student must write a major paper, usually during the first semester of the third year. It consists of a substantial theoretical or interpretative work on some area of Linguistics, and its form and content are set by a committee of three faculty members, consisting of the student's advisor and two others. Once the committee has accepted the paper, an oral defense will be scheduled

The major paper and associated defense should demonstrate: (1) the ability to do substantive original research within the chosen area, (2) an understanding of the previous literature and results within the area, (3) an understanding of how the particular topic of the paper ties in to more general issues and results in the field. This third goal will often be primarily demonstrated at the oral defense

Certification of Doctoral Candidacy will be made after the student has successfully completed the major paper. The timetable for the major paper is the same as the timetable of the preliminary examination for the Ph.D. in Cognitive Science.

5. Teaching Requirements

The teaching requirements of the Ph.D. in Linguistics are the same as the teaching requirements of the Ph.D. in Cognitive Science.

6. Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation

Upon completion of the language requirements, major paper, and defense, a student is advanced to candidacy. They should choose an advisor for the dissertation, which may be from outside the department. The dissertation proposal, dissertation, and oral defense requirements for the Ph.D. in Linguistics are the same as the requirements for the Ph.D. in Cognitive Science.

Specific requirements for the ScM in Cognitive Science or AM in Linguistics

The department does not admit candidates for the ScM or AM degrees only, and does not require these degrees as a prerequisite for the doctorate. The requirement for the ScM in Cognitive Science includes one year of full time residency, a research thesis, and a program of course work which includes the graduate proseminar, at least one methodology course, and at least three substantive topic area courses.

For a Masters degree in Linguistics, a student must complete one year of full time residency and eight courses at the graduate level. In addition, the student must complete the same course area distribution requirements as listed above for the Ph.D. program, as well as reading knowledge in at least one foreign language. The student must also complete a Masters thesis, under the supervision of a faculty member from the Department. A proposal for a Masters thesis must be approved in advance by the department. This is usually done during the second semester and completed during the summer of the third year.

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The program offers several areas of specialization. These areas should not be seen as mutually exclusive; individual projects often cut across them:

Visual perception and action: Psychophysical and ecological approaches to the problems of perceiving shape and motion, recognizing objects and scenes, and controlling action in real-world environments. Primary faculty: Domini, Tarr, Warren; Affiliated faculty: Black, Geman, Paradiso, Kimia, Sheinberg, Welch

Categorization: The experimental study of human concepts and categories; the study of the representations and processes governing how people classify objects into kinds; the development of concepts and categories. Primary faculty: Anderson, Sloman, Sobel, Tarr

Cognition and learning: The experimental study of causality, inference, decision-making; mathematical reasoning, and mental models of complex domains; how children develop these abilities; theory of mind. Primary faculty: Anderson, Sloman, Sobel, Spoehr

Cognitive Neuroscience: The study of the underlying neural bases of higher cognitive functions in humans. Primary faculty: Anderson, Blumstein, Lieberman, Tarr; Affiliated faculty: Donoghue, Heindel, Sanes, Shienberg

Neural models of cognition and language: Neural network modeling of processes such as vision, motor control, categorization, speech, and quantitative reasoning; computational neuroscience. Primary faculty: Anderson, Johnson, Morgan, Sloman; Affiliated faculty: Black, Charniak

Language processing: The experimental study of language comprehension and production at the lexical, syntactic, and semantic levels. Primary faculty: Blumstein, Sedivy

Speech production and perception: Acoustic properties of phonetic categories of speech; physiological properties of articulation and perception; the phonetic/phonological bases of speech. Primary faculty: Blumstein, Demuth, Lieberman, Morgan

Language Acquisition: The experimental and cross-linguistic study of the acquisition of phonology, syntax, and segmentation from infancy to childhood; the relationship between acquisition and linguistic theory; the relationship between language and cognition. Primary faculty: Demuth, Morgan, Sobel

Syntax and Semantics: Formal approaches to natural language syntax and semantics, especially Categorical Grammar, model-theoretic semantics and the syntax-semantics interface. Primary faculty: Demuth, Jacobson, Johnson, Sedivy; Affiliated faculty: Weatherson

Computational Linguistics: Computational models of natural language learning, understanding, and production, using symbolic and statistical techniques such as unification grammars, parsing as deduction, and statistical language models. Primary faculty: Johnson; Affiliated faculty: Charniak

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Admissions

Application packets may be requested from the Brown University Graduate School. Keep in mind that completed applications are due at Brown's Graduate School by January 2nd. For additional information on individual programs, please contact the first-year graduate advisor Sheila Blumstein .

A request for general information about the department, including the departmental brochure, is available by emailing this address or by calling the department office. The phone number is (401) 863-2616, fax: (401) 863-2255.

The graduate programs are highly selective, but admission requirements are flexible given the multidisciplinary nature of the field. The department faculty as a whole review applications and select the most promising applicants whose interests best fit each program. Admission is based on the student's academic record, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and research interests. Applicants must have a strong undergraduate record in one or more of the areas related to the field, such as Cognitive Science, Linguistics, Psychology, Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, Mathematics, Philosophy, or Anthropology. Previous research experience and a background of science courses are also highly advantageous. Applicants should take the GREs no later than the preceding October to insure that scores arrive in time for consideration. Applicants are encouraged to visit the department to get a better sense of the graduate programs.

Students accepted into the graduate programs normally receive financial support for four years, with a fifth year available when necessary. Support usually includes full tuition and a stipend to cover basic living expenses. Support may take the form of Teaching Assistantships that involve the student in teaching an undergraduate lab or discussion section, Research Assistantships that involve the student in a faculty member's research, or a limited number of first-year University Fellowships with no extra duties. Applicants are also urged to apply for outside support from sources such as the National Science Foundation, the Javits Fellows program, the Office of Naval Research, the National Research Service Award, and, for foreign students, the Fulbright-Hays Foundation.

Opportunities for Minority Students: Brown has a strong commitment to recruiting and supporting minority graduate students. In addition to T.A. and R.A. support, minority graduate students who are U.S. citizens are eligible for fellowships from the Graduate School's Federal Title IX funds and the Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship Program. To be considered for these fellowships, applicants should be sure to indicate their minority status on the application form. Brown has programs to assist students in the transition from undergraduate to graduate school, as well as a Graduate Minority Student Association and an active Third World Center on campus, and is the home of the Summer Research Early Identification Program for minority undergraduates interested in careers in science. Providence is a diverse and hospitable city with large African-American, Asian, Latino, and Native American communities. More information can be obtained from the Graduate School.

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Comments

Recent graduates from our department have gone on to post-docs at schools such as UC San Diego, Rutgers, Indiana, Yale, the Max Planck Institutes, University of Southern California, Caltech, and Rochester.

Some have taken academic positions at universities such as the University of Pennsylvania, Hitotsubashi University, Cornell, Korea University (Seoul), Seoul National University, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, McGill, University of Glasgow, South Florida, Oregon, Northwestern, University of Texas at Dallas, UC Santa Cruz, and British Columbia.

Other recent graduates work in industry, including positions at Hecht-Nielsen Neuro-computers, Bell Labs, and the Mitre Corporation.

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