MSc in Computational Cognitive Science

How can we model human task performance? How do our brains combine visual and auditory information? What is the ideal interface for a tired air traffic controller?

The Master's degree programme in Computational Cognitive Science (CCS) focuses on cognitive (neuro)science and its applications. CCS provides you with insights into human cognition, language and the brain and teaches you to use this knowledge in applied settings, such as human-computer interaction and computerized learning tools. For example, by leveraging knowledge of human cognition, you can optimize how an Artificial Intelligence system communicates with the human user, develop virtual reality applications for education or develop simulation models of human task performance.

Two questions form the basis for this programme:

• How do human cognition and the human brain work?
• How can we use this knowledge in applied settings?

To answer these questions, you have to know how humans perform tasks and how this affects potential interactions. How do humans acquire new skills and how do they learn to adapt to a new task? In addition, it is important to think about how humans communicate and apply this to human-machine communication. Language is a natural way of human communication, and this may or may not be a good choice for communication with a machine, depending on the circumstances.

Why study this program in Groningen?

• This program is unique in its combination of Artificial intelligence; Cognitive science and modeling; Language & speech technology; Computational neuroscience
• Our faculty is the home of the 2016 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Ben Feringa, and the Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Frits Zernike