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How do we learn from our experiences? What is the relationship between language, images and thoughts? How are concepts represented in the brain? These are examples of problems in the field of cognitive research. In addition, there is the question of whether it is possible to develop models of cognitive processes and use them in computer programmes that simulate human behaviour. In other words: can one reproduce consciousness in a robot?
IT and Cognition is an interdisciplinary Master's programme that spans three disciplines: psychology, computer science and language technology. The programme will help you build up an understanding of human beings' cognitive abilities and give you the IT skills to explore cognitive processes and develop innovative technology.
Job prospects
As a Master of IT and Cognition you will be able to work on the development and application of innovative technology that takes into account the users' patterns of interaction and communication skills, e.g. in the IT, media, leisure and education industries.
"I imagine that lots of new graduates will be needed in the various development departments, including at Danfoss"
Kjeld Saugstrup, Director of Global IT Infrastructure in Danfoss, to the magazine Humanist in 2007, when the programme started.
Programme structure
This two-year programme consists of courses in the disciplines of computer science, language technology and psychology. In the programme's first year, students gain knowledge of computer science, cognitive psychology, language technology and methodology that is necessary for more advanced research into cognitive science. The specific combination of courses depends on the individual student's academic background and skills. Cognitive Research I is obligatory for all students. Introduction to Programming, Data and Algorithms, and Language Technology I are obligatory for students who cannot document that they have completed similar programming courses in their Bachelor programmes.
In the third semester, all students take Cognitive Research II. In addition, students have the opportunity to specialise in a line of study focused on either computer science or language technology. This specialisation in turn forms the basis for the Master's thesis, which is written in the fourth semester.
Read a more detailed description of the programme structure and the individual course modules.
Study outside of Denmark
There are good opportunities to spend maybe a semester outside of Denmark while studying IT and Cognition. The Department of Scandinavian Studies and Linguistics has agreements with many universities:
Universite de Mons-Hainaut (Belgium), Universiteit Gent (Belgium), King's College London (University of London) (England), University College London (University of London) (England), University of Edinburgh (Scotland), University of Tartu (Estonia), Tammerfors University - Tampereen yliopisto (Finland), Université de Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV) (France), Haskoli Islands/University of Iceland (Iceland), Daugavpils University (Latvia), Vilniaus Universitetas/Vilnius University (Lithuania), Universiteit van Amsterdam (Netherlands), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Karlova Univerzita Prague - Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic), Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald (Germany), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Germany), Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (Germany) and Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (Germany).
You can also apply to Nordliks or Finnplus for a study period in another Nordic country, or find a university yourself where you would like to study.
Study environment
IT and Cognition is the result of a collaboration between the Centre for Language Technology, the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Psychology, and the Department of Scandinavian Studies and Linguistics. The programme's study environment is based in the Department of Scandinavian Studies and Linguistics and the Centre for Language Technology. The teaching takes place partly on the southern campus (Søndre Campus) and partly at the Department of Psychology. The programme is open to anyone with a BA; this makes for an exciting study environment with students from very different academic backgrounds.
Research
In recent years, cognitive research has resulted in a number of new research areas at KU. Researchers within the university's priority area Body and Consciousness have focused on brain function and conscious life in order to boost research into serious neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.
Another field is the study of visual cognition, based in the Centre for Visual Cognition in the Department of Psychology. Here, the focus is on selective visual attention, object recognition, the formation and changing of mental images and the perception of movement.
The Centre for Language Technology, which is coordinating the programme, conducts research into computer models for lexical, syntactical and semantic knowledge, machine learning for language processing, and multimodal communication.
The Department of Computer Science has conducted research into image editing and computer simulation of digital representations of natural phenomena, sensor networks and grid computing, including supercomputers. Another of its research areas is human-machine interaction and developments within innovative user interfaces.
The Department of Scandinavian Studies and Linguistics conducts research into cognitive and functional linguistics. One relevant project concerns word-mobilisation problems among dyslexics, normal language users and people with aphasia.
Finally there is the Society of Philosophy and Psychology's lecture series. Previous lectures have covered subject such as: the mind-body problem, the epistemological basis of informatics, meta-ethics, the fundamental problems of psychology, legal philosophy, modern image-formation techniques in cognitive neuroscience, philosophical problems in biology, medical ethics, the concept of formation, the concept of time and the problem of personal identity.
Admission requirements
To be admitted to the IT and Cognition Master's programme you must have a Bachelor's degree.
25 students are admitted to IT and Cognition each year. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of vacant slots, the study board will make a list of applicants in order of priority, and the students at the top of the list will be admitted. The most important factors in the department's decisions are the reasons the applicants give for applying, then the academic relevance of their Bachelor programmes and other educational and professional experience.
Contact
For more information about the study programme, please contact:
Centre for Language Technology
Njalsgade 140
2300 Copenhagen S
Tel.: (+45) 35 32 90 90
Website: itandcognition.ku.dk
Student Guidance
Telephone hours: All weekdays 10-11
Personal enquiries: All weekdays 11-14
Room 22.2.44
Tel.: (+45) 35 32 83 21
Email: inss-vejl@hum.ku.dk