This section presents the requirements for programs in:

• Cognitive Science with Concentration in Philosophical and Conceptual Issues Bachelor of Cognitive Science Honours
• Cognitive Science with Concentration in Language and Linguistics Bachelor of Cognitive Science Honours
• Cognitive Science with Concentration in the Biological Foundations of Cognition Bachelor of Cognitive Science Honours
• Cognitive Science with Concentration in Cognition and Psychology Bachelor of Cognitive Science Honours
• Cognitive Science with Concentration in Cognition and Computation Bachelor of Cognitive Science Honours
• Cognitive Science Bachelor of Cognitive Science
• Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Cognitive Science

Regulations

In addition to the program requirements listed in this section, students must satisfy the academic regulations of the university, and the faculty regulations for the Bachelor of Cognitive Science.

Academic Regulations and Requirements for the Bachelor of Cognitive Science Degree

The regulations presented below apply to all Bachelor of Cognitive Science programs. In addition to the requirements presented here, students must satisfy the University regulations common to all undergraduate students including the process of Academic Continuation Evaluation (consult the Academic Regulations of the University section of this Calendar).

First-Year Seminars

B.Cog.Sc. degree students are strongly encouraged to include a First-Year Seminar (FYSM) during their first 4.0 credits of registration. Students are limited to 1.0 credit in FYSM (one 1.0-credit FYSM or two 0.5-credit FYSMs) and can only register in a FYSM while they have first-year standing in their B.Cog.Sc. program. Students who have completed the Enriched Support Program (ESP) or who are required to take a minimum of one English as a Second Language (ESLA) credit are not permitted to register in a FYSM.

Change of Program Within the B.Cog.Sc. Degree

Students may transfer to a program within the B.Cog.Sc. degree. Applicants must normally be Eligible to Continue (EC) in their year level, in addition to meeting the CGPA thresholds described in Section 3.1.9 of the Academic Regulations of the University. Other applications for change of program will be considered on their merits; students may be admitted to the new program if they are Eligible to Continue (EC) or on Academic Warning (AW).

Applications to declare or change programs within the B.Cog.Sc. degree must be made online through Carleton Central by completing a Change of Program Elements (COPE) application form within the published deadlines. Acceptance into a program or into a program element or option is subject to any enrolment limitations, specific program, program element or option requirements, as published in the relevant Calendar entry.

Minors, Concentrations, and Specializations

Students may apply to the Registrar's Office to be admitted to a minor, concentration or specialization during their first or subsequent years of study. Acceptance into a minor, concentration or specialization is subject to any specific requirements of the intended Minor, Concentration or Specialization as published in the relevant Calendar entry. Acceptance into a Concentration, or Specialization requires the student to be meeting the minimum CGPAs defined in Section 3.1.9 Changes of Program and Degree, in the Academic Regulations of the University.

Mention : français

Students registered in the B.Cog.Sc. may earn the notation Mention : français by completing part of their requirements in French and by demonstrating a knowledge of the history and culture of French Canada. The general requirements are listed below.

Students in the B.Cog.Sc. Honours program must present:

1. 1.0 credit in the French language;
2. 1.0 credit devoted to the history and culture of French Canada;
3. 1.0 credit at the 2000- or 3000-level and 1.0 credit at the 4000-level taken in French. These credits may come from any of Philosophy, Psychology, Computer Science, Linguistics, Neuroscience, or Cognitive Science, without restriction.

Students in the B.Cog.Sc. program must present:

1.  1.0 credit in the French language;
2. 1.0 credit devoted to the history and culture of French Canada
3. 1.0 credit at the 2000- or 3000-level taken in French. This credit may come from any of Philosophy, Psychology, Computer Science, Linguistics, Neuroscience, or Cognitive Science, without restriction.

Courses taught in French (Item 3, above) may be taken at Carleton, at the University of Ottawa on the Exchange Agreement, or at a francophone university on a Letter of Permission. Students planning to take courses on exchange or on a Letter of Permission should take careful note of the residence requirement for a minimum number of Carleton courses in their programs. Consult the Academic Regulations of the University section of this Calendar for information regarding study on Exchange or Letter of Permission.

Regulations

Post-Baccalaureate Diploma

In addition to the requirements presented here, students must satisfy the University regulations (see the Academic Regulations of the University section of this Calendar).

Definition

A post-baccalaureate diploma is defined as a stand-alone undergraduate credential intended to:

• qualify a candidate for consideration for entry into a master's program, or
• bring a candidate who already possesses a bachelor's degree up to a level of a bachelor's degree of 20.0 credits or more in another discipline, or
• provide a candidate who already possesses a twenty-credit bachelor's degree in the same discipline the opportunity to bring their previous studies to current equivalents and/or to examine alternative areas, or
• provide a candidate with a professional undergraduate credential for which the prior completion of an undergraduate degree program is appropriate.

Program Requirements

• A post-baccalaureate diploma is normally constituted of a minimum of 3.0 credits to a maximum of 5.0 credits of advanced undergraduate courses.
• A minimum of 3.0 residency credits counting toward the post-baccalaureate diploma.

English as a Second Language Requirement

In addition to the program requirements, completion of English as a Second Language (ESLA) courses may be required from the following sequence: ESLA 1300, ESLA 1500, ESLA 1900. No credits from this sequence will be counted toward the post-baccalaureate diploma.

Continuation

All post-baccalaureate diploma students are expected to complete their diploma requirements within two calendar years after the date of initial registration.  After this period student may be withdrawn.

Graduation

• A candidate for a post-baccalaureate diploma must have an overall CGPA of at least 6.5 to graduate.
• A candidate for a post-baccalaureate diploma must obtain a grade of C- or higher in each course taken in fulfillment of the program requirements.
• Students should consult with the Department, School or Institute when planning their diploma and selecting courses.

Co-operative Education

For more information about how to apply for the Co-op program and how the Co-op program works please visit the Co-op website.

All students participating in the Co-op program are governed by the Undergraduate Co-operative Education Policy.

Undergraduate Co-operative Education Policy

Admission Requirements

Students can apply to Co-op in one of two ways: directly from high school, or after beginning a degree program at Carleton.

If a student applies to a degree program with a Co-op option from high school, their university grades will be reviewed two terms to one year prior to their first work term to ensure they meet the academic requirements after their first or second year of study. The time at which the evaluation takes place depends on the program of study. Students will automatically receive an admission decision via their Carleton email account.

Students who did not request Co-op at the time they applied to Carleton can request Co-op after they begin their university studies. To view application instructions and deadlines, please visit carleton.ca/co-op.

To be admitted to Co-op, a student must successfully complete 5.0 or more credits that count towards their degree, meet the minimum CGPA requirement(s) for the student's Co-op option, and fulfil any specified course prerequisites. To see the unique admission and continuation requirements for each Co-op option, please refer to the specific degree programs listed in the Undergraduate Calendar. 

Participation Requirements

COOP 1000

Once a student has been given admission or continuation confirmation to the co-op option s/he must complete and pass COOP 1000 (a mandatory online 0.0 credit course). Students will have access to this course a minimum of two terms prior to their first work term and will be notified when to register.

Communication with the Co-op Office

Students must maintain contact with the co-op office during their job search and while on a work term. All email communication will be conducted via the students' Carleton email account.

Employment

Although every effort is made to ensure a sufficient number of job postings for all students enrolled in the co-op option of their degree program, no guarantee of employment can be made. Carleton's co-op program operates a competitive job search process and is dependent upon current market conditions. Academic performance, skills, motivation, maturity, attitude and potential will determine whether a student is offered a job. It is the student's responsibility to actively conduct a  job search in addition to participation in the job search process operated by the co-op office. Once a student accepts a co-op job offer (verbally or written), his/her job search will end and access to co-op jobs will be removed for that term. Students that do not successfully obtain a co-op work term are expected to continue with their academic studies. The summer term is the exception to this rule. Students should also note that hiring priority is given to Canadian citizens for co-op positions in the Federal Government of Canada.

Registering in Co-op Courses

Students will be registered in a Co-op Work Term course while at work. The number of Co-op Work Term courses that a student is registered in is dependent upon the number of four-month work terms that a student accepts.

While on a co-op work term students may take a maximum of 0.5 credit throughout each four-month co-op work term. Courses must be scheduled outside of regular working hours.

Students must be registered as full-time before they begin their co-op job search. All co-op work terms must be completed before the beginning of the final academic term. Students may not finish their degree on a co-op work term.

Work Term Assessment and Evaluation

To obtain a Satisfactory grade for the co-op work term students must have:

1. A satisfactory work term evaluation by the co-op employer;
2. A satisfactory grade on the work term report.

Students must submit a work term report at the completion of each four-month work term. Reports are due on the 16th of April, August, and December and students are notified of due dates through their Carleton email account.

Workplace performance will be assessed by the workplace supervisor. Should a student receive an unsatisfactory rating from their co-op employer, an investigation by the co-op program manager will be undertaken. An unsatisfactory employer evaluation does not preclude a student from achieving an overall satisfactory rating for the work term.

Graduation with the Co-op Designation

In order to graduate with the co-op designation, students must satisfy all requirements for their degree program in addition to the requirements according to each co-op program (i.e. successful completion of three or four work terms).

Note: Participation in the co-op option will add up to one additional year for a student to complete their degree program.

Voluntary Withdrawal from the Co-op Option

Students may withdraw from the co-op option of their degree program during a study term ONLY. Students at work may not withdraw from the work term or the co-op option until s/he has completed the requirements of the work term.

Students are eligible to continue in their regular academic program provided that they meet the academic standards required for continuation.

Involuntary or Required Withdrawal from the Co-op Option

Students may be required to withdraw from the co-op option of their degree program for one or any of the following reasons:

1. Failure to achieve a grade of SAT in COOP 1000
2. Failure to pay all co-op related fees
3. Failure to actively participate in the job search process
4. Failure to attend all interviews for positions to which the student has applied
5. Declining more than one job offer during the job search process
6. Continuing a job search after accepting a co-op position
7. Dismissal from a work term by the co-op employer
8. Leaving a work term without approval by the Co-op manager
9. Receipt of an unsatisfactory work term evaluation
10. Submission of an unsatisfactory work term report

Standing and Appeals

The Co-op and Career Services office administers the regulations and procedures that are applicable to all co-op program options. All instances of a student's failure during a work term or other issues directly related to their participation in the co-op option will be reported to the academic department.

Any decision made by the Co-op and Career Services office can be appealed via the normal appeal process within the University.

International Students

All International Students are required to possess a Co-op Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before they can begin working. It is illegal to work in Canada without the proper authorization. Students will be provided with a letter of support to accompany their application. Students must submit their application for their permit before being permitted to view and apply for jobs on the Co-op Services database. Confirmation of a position will not be approved until a student can confirm they have received their permit. Students are advised to discuss the application process and requirements with the International Student Services Office.

Bachelor of Cognitive Science Honours: Co-op Admission and Continuation Requirements

• Maintain full-time status in each study term;
• Be eligible to work in Canada (for off-campus work)
• Have successfully completed COOP 1000 [0.0]

In addition to the following:

1. Registered as a full-time student in the Bachelor of Cognitive Science Honours program;
2. Obtained third-year standing;
3. Successfully completed, by the start-date of the first work term, CGSC 2001;
4. Obtained an Overall CGPA of at least 8.50. This CGPA must be maintained throughout the duration of the degree.

B.Cog.Sc. Honours students must successfully complete three (3) work terms to obtain the Co-op Designation.

Work Term Report Course: CGSC 3999 [0.0]
Work/Study Pattern:

Legend
S: Study
W: Work

Admissions Information

Admission Requirements are for the 2023-24 year only, and are based on the Ontario High School System. Holding the minimum admission requirements only establishes eligibility for consideration. The cut-off averages for admission may be considerably higher than the minimum. See also the General Admission and Procedures section of this Calendar. An overall average of at least 70% is normally required to be considered for admission. Some programs may also require specific course prerequisites and prerequisite averages and/or supplementary admission portfolios. Higher averages are required for admission to programs for which the demand for places by qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available. The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program by program basis. Consult admissions.carleton.ca for further details.

Note: Courses listed as recommended are not mandatory for admission. Students who do not follow the recommendations will not be disadvantaged in the admission process.

Admissions Information

Admission requirements are based on the Ontario High School System. Prospective students can view the admission requirements through the Admissions website at admissions.carleton.ca. The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program-by-program basis. Holding the minimum admission requirements only establishes eligibility for consideration; higher averages are required for admission to programs for which the demand for places by qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available. All programs have limited enrolment and admission is not guaranteed. Some programs may also require specific course prerequisites and prerequisite averages and/or supplementary admission portfolios. Consult admissions.carleton.ca for further details.

Note: If a course is listed as recommended, it is not mandatory for admission. Students who do not follow the recommendations will not be disadvantaged in the admission process.

Degrees

• Bachelor of Cognitive Science (B.Cog.Sci.) (Honours)
• Bachelor of Cognitive Science (B.Cog.Sci)

Admission Requirements

First Year

The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses. The six 4U or M courses must include a 4U course in English (or anglais). Applicants submitting an English language test to satisfy the requirements of the English Language Proficiency section of this Calendar may use that test to also satisfy the 4U English prerequisite requirement.

The cut-off average for admission will be set annually and will normally be above the minimum requirement.

Advanced Standing

Applications for admission beyond first year will be assessed on their merits. Applicants must normally be Eligible to Continue in their year level, in addition to meeting the CGPA thresholds described in Section 3.1.9 of the Academic Regulations of the University. Advanced standing will be granted only for those subjects that are assessed as being appropriate for the program and stream selected.

Co-op Option

Direct Admission to the First Year of the Co-op Option
Applicants must:

1. meet the required overall admission cut-off average and prerequisite course average. These averages may be higher than the stated minimum requirements;
2. be registered as a full-time student in the Bachelor of Cognitive Science Honours;
3. be eligible to work in Canada (for off-campus work placements).

Meeting the above requirements only establishes eligibility for admission to the program. The prevailing job market may limit enrolment in the co-op option. Students should also note that hiring priority is given to Canadian citizens for co-op positions in the Public Service Commission.

Note: continuation requirements for students previously admitted to the co-op option and admission requirements for the co-op option after beginning the program are described in the Co-operative Education Regulations section of this Calendar.

Admissions Information

Admission Requirements are for the 2023-24 year only, and are based on the Ontario High School System. Holding the minimum admission requirements only establishes eligibility for consideration. The cut-off averages for admission may be considerably higher than the minimum. See also the General Admission and Procedures section of this Calendar. An overall average of at least 70% is normally required to be considered for admission. Some programs may also require specific course prerequisites and prerequisite averages and/or supplementary admission portfolios. Higher averages are required for admission to programs for which the demand for places by qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available. The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program by program basis. Consult admissions.carleton.ca for further details.

Note: Courses listed as recommended are not mandatory for admission. Students who do not follow the recommendations will not be disadvantaged in the admission process.

Diploma

• Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Cognitive Science

Admission to this program requires the permission of the Department of Cognitive Science.  Normally, students are required to have completed an undergraduate degree with a minimum B average or higher to be admitted.  Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.