Structure and Organisation of the Cognitive Science Master's Programme

Studies in the Cognitive Science Master's programme cover multiple aspects of cognition, such as perception, attention, memory, learning, problem solving reasoning, emotions, and language. We are concerned with questions related to how these cognitive abilities are realized in biological and artificial systems, and how such systems are organized (e.g. brain structure, neural architectures and connectionist networks, and autonomous agents). In addition, complex information processing systems like teaching systems and spoken language dialog systems are treated from a design and implementation perspective, including human-computer interface aspects.

The Master's programme amounts to 120 credits according to ECTS, 30 of which refer to the Master thesis. In the second and third semester, students participate in a students' project. The Master's programme is completed with a Master's thesis in the fourth semester and leads to a "Master of Science (M.Sc.)" degree in Cognitive Science.

Two focus areas have to be be chosen from

• Cognitive Psychology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Linguistics and Computerlinguistics
• Neuroinformatics and Robotics
• Neuroscience
• Philosophy of Mind and Cognition

Out of 90 ECTS credits necessary for your Master examination,

• 16 ECTS credits refer to each of your focus areas
• 12 ECTS credits refer to interdisciplinary courses / lab rotation within the Cognitive Science program
• 24 ECTS credits from your study project
• out of the remaining 22 ECTS credits at least 14 ECTS credits have to origninate from Cognitive Science courses.

The language of Instruction is predominantly English. The programme addresses German and foreign students. The courses in the Cognitive Science programme are documented in German and English in accordance with ECTS.

Continous examinations in the study project and each of the two focus areas must be successfully passed before admittance to the final examination.

Excellent Master students may be admitted to the PhD programme after one year (see PhD Programme: Application).

Admission & Application Deadline

The Master's programme accepts students for the winter and the summer term. For the application deadline, see application.

Courses and examination aquired at a different University can be accredited on the basis of ECTS.

Tuition Fees

In addition to a semester fee of approximately 160 EUR (which includes the "Semesterticket" for public transport), tuition fees of 500 EUR are charged per semester for students that begin their studies in winter term 2006/2007. For students matriculated before winter term 2006/2007 the tuition fee will be due from summer term 2007 on (further information on tuition fees). Students must provide proof of health insurance upon registration.

Study Projects

In the second and third semester, groups of 5-10 students carry out a ten-month research project under conditions very much like those of regular research. Project themes cover all Cognitive Science areas and there is a focus on interdisciplinary cooperation, team work, and project management.

Student Advisory Service

The student advisory service offers personal advice regarding study programme, examinations, possibilities of changing the subject, studies abroad, and all other matters concerning one's studies, see Student Advisory (Advisors for the Master's programme)

Mentoring Programme

Students choose a lecturer as a mentor for their period of study. The mentor will preferably also be the thesis supervisor.

Integration of Foreign Students

The Foreign Student's Office offers a programme aimed at the optimal integration of foreign students in Osnabrück.

We especially encourage foreign students participating in the Master's programme to act as tutors for first-year students to promote intercultural exchange.