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BACKGROUND:
Title: Cognitive Engineering (PhD). Contact: Wayne D. Gray, PhD, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Carnegie Building, 110 8th St., Troy, NY 12180; 518/276-6067; grayw@rpi.edu, http://www.cogsci.rpi.edu/. Est: Fall 2003. Semester. Granted last 3 years: Zero, New program to begin Fall 2003. Part-time: no. Program: The program's philosophy of doctoral training is captured by the phrase: Teaching Integrated Cognitive Systems (TICS). TICS is based on three powerful ideas. First, "next generation" artificial intelligence (AI): the design and construction of fully integrated artificial cognitive systems that reach across the full spectrum of cognition, from low-level perception/action to high-level reasoning, implemented in significant part on the basis of empirical data regarding natural cognitive systems. Second, "next generation" computational cognitive modeling: the design and implementation of cognitive architectures that extend beyond currently available architectures (e.g., ACT-R and SOAR) toward Newell's original dream of an architecture that accurately reflects the full range of cognitive processes present in natural cognitive systems. Third, Cognitive engineering: engineering the interface between natural cognitive systems and task environments by, once again, exploiting the empirical data concerning natural cognitive systems. HFES student chapter: no. Catalog: (free) http://www.admissions.rpi.edu/; 518/276-6789.

APPLICATION:
Deadlines: 1/15 fall. Fee: $45.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
GPA: 3.0 GRE: 1200 v + q, 600 a. Other: Undergraduate degrees in computer science, information technology, psychology, or philosophy are preferred. However, a keen interest in cognitive science or artificial intelligence is more important than the particular degree. Research: high. Work experience: medium. Letters: high. Interview: high.

ADMISSIONS:
Students applying last year: 35. Accepted: 6. Entered program: unknown at this time. Openings/year: 5.

TUITION AND FEES:
n/a. All doctoral students in good standing will be fully supported for four years.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% receiving: 100. Amounts: Full tuition plus $16,000 stipend. Available: TA, RA, tuition exempt. Apply: all students are considered with application, a separate application is not required.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
PhD: 90 units, 1st-3rd year research projects, no qualifying exam, practical experience encouraged but not required, no languages required, 4-5 years.

CURRICULUM:
Required courses (units): Topics in Cognitive Science (4), Formal Methods in Cognitive (4), Research Design and Statistics (4). Required courses outside department: 0. Recommended courses outside department: TBD depending on student's research interests. Class size: 3-8.

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: The 3rd floor of the Cognitive Science Building is currently undergoing a $600,000 renovation. (This comes on the heels of renovation in the basement and first floor for additional offices and lab space.) Plans are being drawn up for possibly renovating the 4th floor, a dramatic space that overlooks the Hudson River and Valley. Also, Rensselaer has made an extensive financial commitment to the Social and Behavior Research Lab. The facilities at this lab will be state of the art and will include space for our CSD faculty and students. Teaching: Students are encouraged to teach after they have acquired a masters degree. However, in the words of RPI President (Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson), teaching without research is like confession without sin, with the latter there is not much to talk about in the former. Hence, the program's focus is on training researchers. Current research: For more information on the program's extensively funded research, visit http://www.cogsci.rpi.edu/

STUDENT STATISTICS:
Active: 0, new program.

FACULTY:
Selmer Bringsjord, PhD, Brown U; artificial intelligence, philosophy, integrated cognitive systems. Brett R. Fajen, PhD 1999, U of Connecticut; perception and action, visual perception, ecological psychology. Wayne D. Gray, PhD 1979, UC Berkeley; interactive behavior, computational cognitive modeling, cognitive engineering,   Michael J. Kalsher, PhD 1988, Virginia Tech; safety and warnings, forensic psychology, design and statistics. Frank L. Lee, PhD, 2000, Carnegie Mellon U; integrated cognitive systems, computational cognitive modeling, time. Michael J. Schoelles, PhD, 2002, George Mason U; integrated cognitive systems, computational cognitive modeling, computational linguistics. Bram van Heuveln, PhD, 2000, Binghamton U; philosophy, computationalism, consciousness. Yingrui Yang, PhD, 1997, New York U; reasoning, mental models, strategies.