Double major in Brain Sciences and Linguistics (BSc)
Double major in Brain Sciences and Linguistics (BSc)
The ability to communicate using language both spoken and written is one of the most complex cognitive achievements of the human brain. Using finite amount of words and language constructs humane brain manages to create and comprehend concepts it has never previously encountered (such as “pink elephant holding black umbrella was standing on a cloud”) and even produce new words (such as verbs “google” or “text” (someone), which appeared in the 21st century).
Contemporary linguistics deals with mapping the universal phenomena characteristic of human language, and provides rich theoretical basis for analyzing language structure and meaning. New research areas, such as psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics emerged to provide insights into the cognitive and brain mechanisms standing at the basis of human language ability. Deep understanding of these mechanisms requires a combination of theoretical knowledge from linguistics and of methodologies and knowledge from the fields of cognitive and brain sciences. Double major in Brain Sciences and Linguistics is designed to provide students with extensive basis and research depth in both of the fields in a synergetic way.
Double major in Brain Sciences and Linguistics program curriculum
The curriculum combines introductory and compulsory courses in brain sciences (calculus, statistics, physics, chemistry, cellular neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, etc) with introductory and advanced courses in theoretical linguistics (grammar, phonology and morphology, semantics), as well as applied and clinical linguistics (psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, language development). Students can integrate into research groups in Linguistics Department and in the Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center already during their second year in the program.
The program combines hands-on experience in brain research labs with participation in theoretical and practical seminars in linguistics. Elective courses in linguistics and neuroscience complete the program, and provide deep research insights and teach critical thinking skills while exposing the students to recent advances and publications in both fields.
