Cognitive Science (MSc) Osnabrück University

Studies in the Cognitive Science Master's programme cover multiple aspects of cognition, such as perception, attention, memory, learning, problem solving reasoning, emotions, and language. We are concerned with questions related to how these cognitive abilities are realised in biological and artificial systems, and how such systems are organised (e.g. brain structure, neural architectures and connectionist networks, and autonomous agents). In addition, complex information processing systems such as teaching systems and spoken language dialogue systems are treated from a design and implementation perspective, including human-computer interface aspects.

The Master's programme consists of 120 ECTS credits (including thesis). In the second and third semesters, students participate in a student project. The Master's programme is completed with a Master's thesis in the fourth semester (30 ECTS) and leads to a "Master of Science (MSc)" degree in Cognitive Science.

Each student selects one or two out of four focus areas of the Cognitive Science Master's programme:

• "Cognition: Mind, Ethics, and Society" mainly focuses on philosophical questions and comprises topics in the philosophy of mind and cognition and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
• "Cognition: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning" focuses on cognition in artificial systems and comprises topics in artificial intelligence, neuroinformatics, NeuroAI, computational linguistics and computer vision.
• "Cognition: (Computational) Neuroscience" focuses on topics in neuroscience and computational neuroscience.
• "Cognition: Psychology, Language, and Communication" focuses on cognition in biological systems and comprises topics in cognitive modelling and psychology, theoretical and experimental linguistics, and animal cognition.

The language of instruction is English (level B2 or higher required). We particularly encourage international students to apply for the Cognitive Science programme.

The Master's programme comprises 120 ECTS credits (including thesis) spread over four semesters. In the second and third semesters, students typically work on their one-year study project. The programme is completed with a Master's thesis (30 ECTS credits). The courses are documented in German and English in accordance with ECTS.

The 90 ECTS credits of coursework comprise:

• a one-year study project (24 ECTS)
• coursework from the focus areas (44 ECTS, with 20 ECTS per selected focus area)
• coursework from free electives (22 ECTS)

Mentoring: Student mentors offer advice on all questions concerning studies.

The application deadline for international students is typically 15 December (for the next summer semester) or 15 June (for the next winter semester).

Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in cognitive science (or a comparable degree) in order to study cognitive science in the Master's programme at Osnabrück University.
Applicants with a Bachelor's degree (or comparable degree) in artificial intelligence, biology, computer science, (computational) linguistics, mathematics, neurosciences, philosophy or psychology may be admitted to the Master's programme.

Each semester, students are required to pay approx. 350 EUR as a semester fee (including free use of regional public transport services).

In order to cover personal expenses during the study programme, we recommend that students budget at least 860 EUR per month for accommodation, living, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses.

Students who have completed their Bachelor's studies may be employed as student assistants.

The degree programme coordinators as well as the student mentoring team are available for consultation regarding possible career choices as well as profile development.

The accommodation office of the student services ("Studentenwerk") offers modern single rooms in dormitories and helps students find private rooms and flats. The rooms must be rented for at least half a year. The cost of a single room in a student dormitory is approx. 180 to 350 EUR per month.