COGS 50.10 Information Theory in Cognitive Science

Cognitive scientists treat thinking as a form of information-processing, regardless of whether that thinking is carried out in biological or artificial systems. But what, exactly, is information? How do we quantify it? And what does it have to do with thinking? In this course, we study the basics of formal information-theory and learn about how these concepts have been utilized to understand cognition in Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, AI, Linguistics, Philosophy, and Design. In doing so, we consider whether information theory offers a general way to understand minds, where it excels, and where it might be lacking.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:SOC

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Department-Specific Course Categories

Cognitive Science