Bachelor of Science in Symbolic Systems

The program leading to a B.S. in Symbolic Systems provides students with a core of concepts and techniques, drawing on faculty and courses from various departments. The curriculum prepares students for advanced training in the interdisciplinary study of language and information, or for postgraduate study in any of the main contributing disciplines. It is also excellent preparation for employment immediately after graduation.

Symbolic Systems majors must complete a core of required courses plus a field of study consisting of six additional courses. All major courses are to be taken for letter grades unless an approved course is offered satisfactory/no credit only. All core courses must be passed with a grade of 'C-' or better. Students who receive a grade lower than this in a core course must alert the program of this fact so that a decision can be made about whether the student should continue in the major.

CORE REQUIREMENTS

In order to graduate with a B.S. in Symbolic Systems, a student must complete the following requirements. Some of these courses have other courses as prerequisites; students are responsible for completing each course's prerequisites before they take it.

Cognitive Science: SYMBSYS 100. Introduction to Cognitive Science
Computer Programming:
1. CS 106A. Programming Methodology and 106B. Programming Abstractions; or 106X. Programming Methodology and Abstractions (Accelerated); and
2. CS 107. Programming Paradigms
Logic:
1. PHIL 150. Basic Concepts in Mathematical Logic;
  or 150X. Basic Concepts in Mathematical Logic, and CS 103. Mathematical Foundations of Computing, 103A. Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science, or 103X. Discrete Structures (Accelerated)
2. PHIL 151. First-Order Logic
Computational Theory:
1. CS 103B. Discrete Structures; or 103X. Discrete Structures (Accelerated) or 103. Mathematical Foundations of Computing
2. CS 154. Introduction to Automata and Complexity Theory; or PHIL 152. Computability and Logic
Probability: one of the following:
CS 109. Introduction to Probability for Computer Scientists

CME 106/ENGR 155C. Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Engineers

EE 178. Probabilistic Systems Analysis

MATH 151. Introduction to Probability Theory

MS&E 120. Probabilistic Analysis

STATS 110. Statistical Methods in Engineering and the Physical Sciences

STATS 116. Theory of Probability
Philosophical Foundations:
1. an introductory course in Philosophy must be taken prior to the required PHIL 80, from among the following:
PHIL 10. God, Self, and World: An Introduction to Philosophy

PHIL 20. Introduction to Moral Philosophy

PHIL 30. Introduction to Political Philosophy

PHIL 60. Introduction to Philosophy of Science

PHIL 102. Modern Philosophy, Descartes to Kant

IHUM 23A,B. The Fate of Reason

and
1. PHIL 80. Mind, Matter, and Meaning (WIM)
Cognitive Psychology: PSYCH 55. Introduction to Cognition and Brain
Language and Mind: one of the following:
LINGUIST 1. Introduction to Linguistics

LINGUIST 140. Language Acquisition I

PHIL 181. Philosophy of Language

PSYCH 131. Language and Thought

PSYCH 137. Birds to Words: Cognition, Communication, and Language
Linguistic Theory: one of the following:
LINGUIST 120. Introduction to Syntax

LINGUIST 130A. Introduction to Linguistic Meaning

LINGUIST 180. Introduction to Computational Linguistics

LINGUIST 230A. Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics
Artificial Intelligence: CS 121. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, or 221. Artificial Intelligence: Principles and Techniques
Advanced Small Seminar:* an upper-division, limited-enrollment seminar drawing on material from other courses in the core. Courses listed under Symbolic Systems Program offerings with numbers from SYMBSYS 201 through 209 are acceptable, as are other courses which are announced at the beginning of each academic year.

* A course taken to fulfill one of these requirements can also be counted toward another requirement, as part of either the core or a student's concentration (see below), but not both.

FIELDS OF STUDY

In addition to the core requirements listed above, the Symbolic Systems major requires each student to complete a field of study consisting of six courses that are thematically related to each other. Students select concentrations from the list below or design others in consultation with their advisers. The field of study is declared on Axess; it appears on the transcript but not on the diploma.

Applied Logic

Artificial Intelligence

Cognitive Science

Computer Music

Decision Making and Rationality

Human-Computer Interaction

Learning

Natural Language

Neurosciences

Philosophical Foundations

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

The program strongly encourages all SSP majors to gain experience in directed research by participating in faculty research projects or by pursuing independent study. In addition to the Symbolic Systems Honors Program (see below), the following avenues are offered.

Summer Internships: students work on SSP-related faculty research projects. Application procedures are announced in the winter quarter for SSP majors.
Research Assistantships: other opportunities to work on faculty research projects are typically announced to SSP majors as they arise during the academic year.
Independent Study: under faculty supervision. For course credit, students should enroll in SYMBSYS 196.

Contact SSP for more information on any of these possibilities, or see http://symsys.stanford.edu. In addition, the Undergraduate Advising and Research office offers grants and scholarships supporting student research projects at all levels; see http://urp.stanford.edu.

HONORS PRORAM

Seniors in SSP may apply for admission to the Symbolic Systems honors program prior to the beginning of their final year of study. Students who are accepted into the honors program can graduate with honors by completing an honors thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. Course credit for the honors project may be obtained by registering for SYMBSYS 190, Honors Tutorial, for any quarters while a student is working on an honors project. Juniors who are interested in doing an honors project during their senior year are advised to take SYMBSYS 91, Junior Honors Seminar. SYMBSYS 191, Senior Honors Seminar, is recommended for honors students during the senior year. Contact SSP or visit the program's web site for more information on the honors program, including deadlines and policies.

Registrar's Office

Stanford Bulletin, Archive 2008-09