the minds & machines program fall 2007. overview m&m program –objective –new format...
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The Minds & Machines Program
Fall 2007
Overview
• M&M Program– Objective– New Format– Concentrations– Labs– Luncheons– News– Research Projects
• Paperwork
Minds & Machines Program
Objective• The Minds & Machines program brings
together students and faculty from various disciplines with a common interest in finding out how the mind (human or otherwise) works, and/or how this knowledge can be applied.
Minds & Machines Program
Example Areas of Interest• Artificial Intelligence • Cognitive Modeling• Robotics• Human-Computer Interaction• Cognitive Engineering• Cognition as it applies to:
– Arts– Architecture– Management – Economics– Political Science– Education– Etc.
Minds & Machines Program
What Do I Get Out of the Program?• Discussion of ideas in cognitive science and technology with other
students and faculty• Support on designing a suitable curriculum• Biweekly luncheons (free lunch) during which faculty and students
share latest research findings• Get actively involved in any of our research labs• Diversify skill set:
– Do science as well as engineering, – investigate as well as design, – think critically as well as creatively
• Be prepared for ‘cognitive revolution’• Develop professional connections
– letters of recommendation – internships – job opportunities
Minds & Machines Program
Research• M&M students are strongly encouraged to do hands-on research• Minds and Machines students can conduct research in various labs:
– Rensselaer AI and Reasoning Lab• AI, logic, robotics• Director: Dr. Selmer Bringsjord ([email protected])
– CogWorks Lab• Cognitive psychology, cognitive modeling, ‘medium-level’ cognition• Director: Dr. Wayne Gray ([email protected])
– PandA Lab (including Virtual Reality lab)• Perception and action, low-level cognition• Director: Dr. Brett Fajen ([email protected])
– Human-Level Intelligence Lab• High-level, knowledge-based cognition
– Others• Dr. Ron Sun ([email protected]): Cognitive Architectures• Dr. Mark Changizi ([email protected]): Neuro-Cognition• Dr. Bram van Heuveln: Logic Puzzles
• Check out the Cognitive Science department web pages, check out the research that’s going on, and contact the relevant professor if interested!
Minds & Machines Program
Biweekly Minds & Machines Luncheons• There are biweekly (roughly) luncheons on Wednesday
at noon during which students or faculty present their ideas and research.
• By attending these luncheons Minds & Machines students can receive 1 credit:– Fill out Independent Study form:
• PHIL or PSYC• 200 level (2940) for freshmen; 400 level (4940) for non-freshmen• Title: ‘Minds & Machines Seminar’
– Every meeting you miss will cost you a letter grade, but you can make up missed lectures by going to the Issues in Cognitive Science lecture series, which is every other Wednesday at noon (the M&M talks alternate with the Issues in Cognitive Science talks)
Minds & Machines Program
Undergraduate Research Program• Undergraduate Research Program (URP)
– http://www.rpi.edu/dept/urp– Fill out URP form:
• You have to write a 500+ words proposal!• for course credit (deadline: 9/10)
– Fill out an Independent Study/URP Registration form
• for $ (deadline: 9/14)
• Research can be great lead-in to Senior Thesis!
Minds & Machines Program
How to Enroll• Talk to me: Bram van Heuveln ([email protected])• M&M students are encouraged to have a dual
major:– 1 aimed at ‘Minds’ (e.g. PSYC or PHIL)
– 1 aimed at ‘Machines’ (e.g. CSCI , CSE, ME, EE)
• If not a dual major, think about adding a minor
Minds & Machines Program
News• B.S. in Game Studies & Simulation is official
– Has concentration in Cognitive Science
• B.S. in Cognitive Science still in the works (we’re shooting for Fall 2008)
• Some interesting courses offered this semester:– PHIL-4260 Philosophy of AI
– PSYC-4320 Behavioral Neuroscience
Minds & Machines Program
Ideas• Senior Capstone Project Day end of Spring
– Students present (through short talk or poster) their senior research
• Robotics Laboratory– Cognitive Robotics course
Minds & Machines Program
Help!• I could use some student help with a few things:
– Web Pages• Program web pages are down, and web pages are being
changed at departmental and school (H&SS) level -> good opportunity to update Minds * Machines web pages
– Web-based research• Cognitive Science programs (undergrad, grad)• Cognitive Science Jobs and internships• Cognitive Science in the News
Minds & Machines Program
Wanted: TA’s for LEGO Robot Competition!!• We are in need of TA’s for the LEGO Robot competition as part of the
freshman Minds & Machines course.• Preferably, this is someone who has done the project as a freshman
themselves, but this is not required.• Job Duties:
– Oversee student groups for 1.5 hours each week for last 6 weeks of semester (per section)
• there are 5 sections we need TA’s for– Offer conceptual/technical/programming help to student groups– Disassemble last year’s robots!
• What you get:– Credit– Pizza– Experience– Fun!
• Interested? Contact Bram ([email protected])
Paperwork
• Declare Major– Fill out Change of Major form (part B)
• Declare Minor– Fill out Minor Approval Form
• Undergraduate Thesis– Need to fill out Thesis Form to register
• 1 credit for M&M meetings– Fill out Independent Study Form– “Minds & Machines Seminar”– Deadline: Course add deadline
• URP– Fill out URP form– For credit: fill out Independent Study form as well– Deadline: Course add deadline for credit; next week Friday for $– Credits to be determined by project advisor– Make sure to include 500 word proposal!