Cognitive Area
Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology at UCSC extends traditional boundaries in the study of cognition to encompass bodies, physical environments, sociocultural contexts and information technologies. Graduate training emphasizes experimental methods and mastery of contemporary knowledge in psycholinguistics, memory, and perception. Research interests of the faculty include cognitive and social processes in learning and memory, language and discourse comprehension and production, reading, speech perception, computer simulation and mathematical modeling of cognitive processes, human computer interaction, spatial vision, visual psychophysics, working memory and executive control, decision making, and emotional influences in cognition.
Colloquium Series (PSYC 230)
To aid in the development of their research programs, all graduate students must enroll and participate in the colloquium series associated with their respective research area each quarter (PSYC 230 for cognitive). In these courses, graduate students and faculty present research plans, research-in-progress, and completed research for constructive criticism. Outside speakers are also invited to present formal colloquia on their research.
If there are extenuating circumstances, students may petition for an exception to this requirement. The petition must be signed/approved by their advisor and area head before forwarding to the Graduate Affairs Committee for final approval.
COURSE WORK
All first-year students must take two courses in statistics during their first year: PSYC 204: Quantitative Data Analysis (Fall quarter) and PSYC 214A: Multivariate Techniques (Winter quarter). Students must also in their first year take the two to three quarter proseminar sequence for their particular research area in the fall and winter and spring quarters: PSYC 224A, 224B and 224C (cognitive psychology).
Beyond these basic courses, students in each research area are required to take several advanced courses and seminars. Some of these courses should be taken during their first year, while others should be taken in the second and third years of graduate study. The required courses in the three areas beyond those stated above are as follows:
three advanced Cognitive graduate courses
a graduate course in Developmental Psychology*
a graduate course in Social Psychology*
a substantive advanced course in a discipline other than Psychology
* Required psychology courses outside of one’s area can be satisfied by one of the proseminars or an advanced seminar in the area. They may not include research methods courses.
The above courses must be completed before you take your Qualifying Exam in the third year. (Students are encouraged to continue to take occasional advanced seminars through their later years in the program.) Students may fulfill one or both of their psychology course requirements by taking any of the proseminar courses in one of the other research areas. For example, developmental students may take PSYC 211A or PSYC 211B to meet their requirement for a social course or PSYC 224A or 224B to meet their requirement for a cognitive course.
Note: PSYC 225 does not fulfill the developmental graduate course requirement for cognitive and social students; 225C is limited to only developmental students. Social method courses PSYC 210, PSYC 248, PSYC 249, and PSYC 261 do not fulfill the social graduate course requirement for cognitive and developmental students. PSYC 254 does not fulfill the developmental graduate course requirement for cognitive and social students. In addition, the 290 series of psychology courses does not satisfy the graduate requirements for a course outside your area.
Petitions for Alternative Courses
Students transferring into the Ph.D. program from another institution should consult with their advisors and the faculty head of the student’s research area, to see if any courses previously completed might satisfy our course requirements. Any petition for alternative courses to satisfy course requirements should be signed by the student, advisor and area head before it is forwarded to the Graduate Affairs Committee for final approval.
Cognitive Planning Template.xlsxCourse Planning Template
This outline is available to assist you in planning your course schedule throughout the program. To use, please download a copy.
Note: You must be logged into your UCSC email account to view
OUTLINE OF A TYPICAL YEAR
The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for each academic year. The exact course of study any student will pursue will depend on their research area in the department (Developmental, Cognitive, and Social), as well as their own individual interests and sources of funding (e.g., TAships). In general, students are expected to spend at least 20 hours per week on research (and coursework in support of their research preparation) in most quarters.
FIRST YEAR
The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for a graduate student in their first academic year.
Proseminars: PSYC 224A (Fall), 224B (Winter), 224C (Spring)
PSYC 204 (Fall)
PSYC 214 (Winter)
One or two advanced Psychology courses in the student’s own research area
Colloquium series: PSYC 230 (Fall, Winter, and Spring)
Graduate Division TA Online Training (during your first quarter TAship)
Psychology TA Training Program & TA Mentor Program
SECOND YEAR
The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for a graduate student in their second year in the program.
Two advanced Psychology courses in the student’s own research area
One or two Psychology courses in area(s) of Psychology other than the student’s research area
Colloquium series: PSYC 230 (Fall, Winter, and Spring)
THIRD YEAR
The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for a graduate student in their third year in the program.
Submission of first and second-year research for publication
Completion of all required coursework
Independent study with faculty advisor
Qualifying Exam (or in the fourth year at the latest)
Colloquium series: PSYC 230 (Fall, Winter, and Spring)
FOURTH YEAR
The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for a graduate student in their fourth year in the program.
Defense of the thesis proposal (no more than one year after advancing to candidacy)
Colloquium series: PSYC 230 (Fall, Winter, and Spring)
Independent study (or Thesis Research) with faculty advisor
FIFTH YEAR - SIXTH YEAR
The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for a graduate student in their fifth year (and possibly sixth year; a sixth year is sometimes necessary, but more than that may result in a student not being considered in good academic standing.) in the program.
Completion of Ph.D. dissertation
Colloquium series: PSYC 230 (Fall, Winter, and Spring)
Independent study (or Thesis Research) with faculty advisor
Requesting a Normative Time Extension
Students who think they will not be able to complete the milestones within the normative timeframe (4th year for QE, 6th year for PhD) will have to request an Extension to Normative Time. Students should fill out the Normative Time Extension form, have their advisor sign it, and submit it to Graduate Advising. Graduate Advising will review it and then submit it to Graduate Division for Approval by the dean.
Students are encouraged to speak with their faculty advisor and the Graduate Advising Team as soon as they think they may need an extension so that we can ensure students are being fully supported.
NOTE COVID EXCEPTION: Graduate Division has provided a one-year blanket extension of the time to degree for students enrolled between Spring 2020 and Spring 2021. Please note, the blanket extension of normative time is not a guarantee of extended funding or employment. Students beyond normative time (4th year for QE and 6th year for PhD) are still encouraged to speak with Graduate Advising if they think they will need to use the extra time so that they can ensure all requirements are being met.