What coursework should I expect?

Start reading about our course offerings and teaching here.

How does mentoring and advising work?

Read about our mentoring and advising policies here.

Do students work in a lab from the first year?

Yes, students upon admission will have at least one adviser identified and will have a “home lab” from Day 1. Cognitive Sciences does not do “lab rotations” like some other departments do. However, we also recognize that students sometimes start in a lab that’s not a good fit (for whatever reason), and so we have an explicit policy that students are allowed to move from one lab to another. Especially if that happens early on, switching labs isn’t a problem and doesn’t require permission (other than that of the head of the lab you’re moving into). After the first year, moving labs is still possible but not recommended. Throughout, it’s good to be communicative so everyone is in the loop and the program director knows whose lab you’re in.

What kinds of background knowledge or experience do you expect of us?

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission, applicants should have acquired a background in mathematics equivalent to at least one year of calculus and have some knowledge of computer programming. Advanced course work in some of the following fields is highly desirable: psychology, computer science, mathematics, physical sciences, engineering, biology, logic, and linguistics.

What is the overall mission of your program?

The Ph.D. degree programs prepare students for research and teaching careers in academia, industry, and government. The emphasis is on modern techniques of experimentation and theory construction. Special attention is given to providing hands-on research experience and equipping students with sophisticated mathematical and computing skills.

When is the application deadline?

To receive full consideration for fellowship and assistantship awards, applications must be received by December 1. Admissions decisions are made in March.

Do you admit international students?

Absolutely. International students are considered for admission under the same criteria as domestic students. Note, however, that students who did not obtain their undergraduate degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction are required to demonstrate proficiency in English.

You can use this flowchart to determine if you are exempt from the English proficiency test. UCI is very strict about these requirements. Other schools sometimes waive these requirements, but UCI does not. We are aware that the coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult for some to take the TOEFL test. Unfortunately, we are not able to waive it.

What does it cost?

To you, nothing. In fact, you get paid to be a graduate student at our department.

Graduate students at the UCI Department of Cognitive Sciences are expected to focus on their studies and their research. To make that easier, we ensure that all students have a reliable and sufficient source of income. All incoming students are guaranteed 15 academic quarters of support, most commonly through part-time employment as a teaching assistant, research assistant, or some other relevant function.

This employment comes with various perks, including a full tuition waiver, health insurance including dental and vision, and a guarantee of subsidized on-campus housing. You can find current salary amounts here.

During the summer of the first three years, our students receive stipends so they can optimally focus on reaching the program’s educational milestones. During the fourth summer, students often work as research assistants in the lab or do research internships off campus.

Where can I find general information for prospective students coming to UCI?

Here! Note this is very general, and not specific to graduate students.