Our interdisciplinary program integrates methods and approaches from linguistics, psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, and computer science, to study thought and behavior. Our faculty have highly diverse research interests, and serve as graduate advisors, committee members, and collaborators.

The CIS department administers undergraduate majors in both Cognitive Science and Philosophy. Prospective or current students with questions about our undergraduate programs are invited to contact us for more information. Cognitive Science program information: cis-cogs-chair@lists.ucmerced.edu. Philosophy program information: cis-phil-chair@lists.ucmerced.edu.

The CIS program has multiple means of supporting graduate students. During each academic year, Ph.D. students are funded as either teaching assistants, research assistants, or through internal or external fellowships. All of these positions provide a full stipend and complete tuition waiver. Students almost always receive some form of summer stipend in order to support their research activities when classes are not in session.