Course 6-9: Computation and Cognition
As human brains increasingly interact with technology that mimics their own capabilities, the need for students to understand both the science and engineering of intelligence continues to grow as well. Addressing these challenges will require a deeper understanding of how the brain produces intelligent behavior and how we may be able to replicate intelligence in machines.
The Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and Brain and Cognitive Sciences (BCS) at MIT offer a joint curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science in Computation and Cognition that focuses on computational and engineering approaches to brain science, cognition, and machine intelligence. Students in the program are full members of both EECS and BCS.
The Course 6-9 curriculum provides flexibility to accommodate students with a wide diversity of interests in this area. This includes topics from neuroengineering ( reverse engineering circuits in the brain and developing brain interfaces) to biologically-inspired approaches to artificial intelligence.
Neuroengineering
Students will learn the fundamentals required for understanding neural circuits and designing and building interfaces between neurons and artificial neural hardware. Suggested subjects are 6.002, 6.003 and 6.009.
Human and Machine Intelligence
Students will learn to tackle the challenges of designing and building artificial intelligent systems that attain or exceed human-level performance in complex tasks. Suggested subjects are 6.034, 6.006 and 6.009.
The 6-9 major will jointly reside in EECS and BCS. Enrolled students will have a primary academic advisor in BCS with a secondary advisor in EECS. Advisors are assigned to students by the BCS Academic Office.
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ROADMAP
The Course 6-9 Roadmap can be found here.
DEGREE CHART
General Institute Requirements (GIRs)
The General Institute Requirements include a Communication Requirement that is integrated into both the HASS Requirement and the requirements of each major; see details below.
| Summary of Subject Requirements | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Science Requirement | 6 |
| Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) Requirement [two subjects can be satisfied by 9.46 and 9.85 in the Departmental Program]; at least two of these subjects must be designated as communication-intensive (CI-H) to fulfill the Communication Requirement. | 8 |
| Restricted Electives in Science and Technology (REST) Requirement [can be satisfied by 9.01 and 6.042[J], 18.03, or 18.06 in the Departmental Program] | 2 |
| Laboratory Requirement (12 units) [can be satisfied by a laboratory in the Departmental Program] | 1 |
| Total GIR Subjects Required for SB Degree | 17 |
| Physical Education Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Swimming requirement, plus four physical education courses for eight points. |
Departmental Program
Choose at least two subjects in the major that are designated as communication-intensive (CI-M) to fulfill the Communication Requirement.
| Required Subjects | Units | |
| 6.0001 | Introduction to Computer Science Programming in Python | 6 |
| 9.01 | Introduction to Neuroscience | 12 |
| Select one of the following: | 12 | |
| Mathematics for Computer Science | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Select one of the following: | 12 | |
| Introduction to Inference | ||
| Introduction to Probability | ||
| Statistics for Brain and Cognitive Science 1 | ||
| EECS Program Subjects | ||
| 6.036 | Introduction to Machine Learning 1 | 12 |
| 6.003 | Signals and Systems | 12 |
| or 6.034 | Artificial Intelligence | |
| Select two of the following: | 24 | |
| Circuits and Electronics | ||
| Introduction to Algorithms | ||
| Fundamentals of Programming | ||
| BCS Program Subjects | ||
| Brain Systems/Neurophysiology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 12 | |
| Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology | ||
| The Human Brain | ||
| Developmental Neurobiology | ||
| Cellular Neurophysiology and Computing | ||
| Perception | ||
| Introduction to Neural Computation 1 | ||
| Computation and Cognition | ||
| Select one of the following: | 12 | |
| Computational Psycholinguistics 1 | ||
| Neural Circuits for Cognition | ||
| Emergent Computations Within Distributed Neural Circuits | ||
| Computational Cognitive Science | ||
| Infant and Early Childhood Cognition (CI-M) 1 | ||
| Program Electives | ||
| One subject from the BCS/EECS Joint Electives list | 12 | |
| One subject from the BCS Electives or BCS/EECS Joint Electives list | 9-12 | |
| Laboratory | ||
| One subject from the Laboratory Subjects list | 12 | |
| Advanced Undergraduate Project | ||
| Select one of the following: | 9-18 | |
| Seminar in Undergraduate Advanced Research (12 units, CI-M) | ||
| Oral Communication (CI-M) | ||
| Research and Communication in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (CI-M) | ||
| Projects in the Science of Intelligence (CI-M) | ||
| Units in Major | 156-168 | |
| Unrestricted Electives | 48-84 | |
| Units in Major That Also Satisfy the GIRs | (36-60) | |
| Total Units Beyond the GIRs Required for SB Degree | 180 | |
The units for any subject that counts as one of the 17 GIR subjects cannot also be counted as units required beyond the GIRs.
| 1 |
Subject has prerequisites that are outside of the program. |
| 2 |
Subjects that also appear in one of the electives lists can count as either a BCS Program Subject or a Program Elective, but not both. |
BCS/EECS Joint Electives1
| 6.027[J] | Biomolecular Feedback Systems | 12 |
| 6.034 | Artificial Intelligence | 12 |
| 6.141[J] | Robotics: Science and Systems | 12 |
| 6.801 | Machine Vision | 12 |
| 6.803 | The Human Intelligence Enterprise | 12 |
| 6.806 | Advanced Natural Language Processing 2 | 12 |
| 6.819 | Advances in Computer Vision 2 | 12 |
| 9.19 | Computational Psycholinguistics | 12 |
| 9.21[J] | Cellular Neurophysiology and Computing 2 | 12 |
| 9.35 | Perception | 12 |
| 9.40 | Introduction to Neural Computation | 12 |
| 9.49 | Neural Circuits for Cognition | 12 |
| 9.66[J] | Computational Cognitive Science | 12 |
BCS Electives1
| 9.09[J] | Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology | 12 |
| 9.13 | The Human Brain | 12 |
| 9.18[J] | Developmental Neurobiology | 12 |
| 9.24 | Disorders and Diseases of the Nervous System 2 | 12 |
| 9.26[J] | Principles and Applications of Genetic Engineering for Biotechnology and Neuroscience 2 | 12 |
| 9.42 | The Brain and Its Interface with the Body 2 | 12 |
| 9.46 | Neuroscience of Morality 2 | 12 |
| 9.53 | Emergent Computations Within Distributed Neural Circuits | 12 |
| 9.85 | Infant and Early Childhood Cognition 2 | 12 |
Laboratory Subjects
| 6.101 | Introductory Analog Electronics Laboratory (CI-M) | 12 |
| 6.111 | Introductory Digital Systems Laboratory | 12 |
| 6.115 | Microcomputer Project Laboratory (CI-M) | 12 |
| 6.129[J] | Biological Circuit Engineering Laboratory (CI-M) | 12 |
| 6.141[J] | Robotics: Science and Systems (CI-M) | 12 |
| 6.161 | Modern Optics Project Laboratory (CI-M) | 12 |
| 6.182 | Psychoacoustics Project Laboratory (CI-M) | 12 |
| 9.17 | Systems Neuroscience Laboratory (CI-M) | 12 |
| 9.59[J] | Laboratory in Psycholinguistics (CI-M) | 12 |
| 9.60 | Machine-Motivated Human Vision (CI-M) 2 | 12 |
| 1 |
Subjects that also appear in the list of BCS Program Subjects can count as either a BCS Program Subject or a Program Elective, but not both. |
| 2 |
Subject has prerequisites that are outside of the program. |
FALL 2020
| Subject # | Units | Title | Time | Location | Faculty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.01 | (4-0-8)U | Intro to Neuroscience | MW 1–2:30pm + recitation | Virtual | Bear | |
| 9.011 | (6-0-12) G | Systems Neuroscience | MWF 2–4pm | Virtual | Desimone, Miller | |
| 9.014 | (3-1-8) G | Quantitative Methods and Computational Models in Neurosciences | MW 11am–12pm, F 10am–12pm | Virtual | Jayazeri | |
| 9.015J | (3-0-9) G | Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Core I | TR 1–2:30pm | Virtual | Littleton, Sheng | Same as 7.65J |
| 9.016 | (4-0-8) G | Acoustics, Production and Perception of Speech | TR 1–2:30pm + recitation | Virtual | Gosh, Nakajima | Same as HST.714J |
| 9.07 | (4-0-8) U | Statistics for Brain and Cognitive Science | MW 9:30–11:30am + recitation | Virtual | Brown | |
| 9.17 | (2-4-6) U | Systems Neuroscience Lab | M 3–4pm, F1–5pm + recitation | Virtual | Flavell, Harnett | |
| 9.175 | (3-0-9) G | Robotics | TR 1–2:30pm | Virtual | Slotine | Same as 2.165 |
| 9.19 | (4-0-8) U&G | Computational Psycholinguistics | MW 9:30–11am | Virtual | Levy | |
| 9.21/9.021J | (5-2-5) U | Cellular Neurophysiology and Computing | MW 11am–12:30pm + recitation | Virtual | Han, Heldt | Same as 2.791J, 6.021J, 20.370J, 2.794J, 6.521J, 20.470J, HST.541J |
| 9.41 | (2-12-4) U | Research and Communication in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science | M EVE 7–9pm | Virtual | Ogren, Wilson | |
| 9.422J | (3-0-9) G | Principles of Neuroengineering | TR 10:3-am–12pm | Virtual | Boyden | Same as 20.452J, MAS.881J |
| 9.455J | (2-0-7) G | Revolutionary Ventures: How to Invent and Deploy Transformative Technologies | R 2–4pm | Virtual | Boyden, Jacobson | Same as 15.128J, 20.454J, MAS.883J |
| 9.49/9.490 | (3-0-9) U&G | Neural Circuits for Cognition | TR 2:30–4pm | Virtual | Fiete | |
| 9.520J | (3-0-9) G | Statistical Learning Theory and Applications | TR 11am–12:30pm | Virtual | Poggio, Rosasco | Same as 6.860 |
| 9.58 | (3-0-9) U | Projects in the Science of Intelligence | W 1:30–3:30pm + recitation | Virtual | Poggio | |
| 9.66J/9.660J | (3-0-9) U | Computational Cognitive Science | TR 1–2:30pm + recitation | Virtual | Tenenbaum | Same as 6.804J |
| 9.72/9.720 | (2-2-8) U | Vision in Art and Neuroscience | TR 3–5pm | Virtual | Sinha | BCS majors may count subject as a restricted elective |
| 9.85 | (3-0-9) U | Infant and Early Child Cognition | TR 1–2:30pm | Virtual | Schulz | |
| 9.S911 | (1-0-0) G | Fellowship Applications Workshop | TBA | Virtual | Kanwisher | |
| 9.S917 | (2-0-4) G | MIT Colloquium on the Brain and Cognition: Background Research Seminar | W 12pm | Virtual | DiCarlo | |
| 3.056/3.64 | (3-0-9) U&G | Materials Physics of Neural Interfaces | MW 11am–12:30pm | Virtual | Anikeeva |
SPRING 2021
| Subject # | Units | Title | Time | Location | Faculty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 | (4-0-8) U | Intro to Psychological Science | TR 2–3:30pm + recitation | TBA | Gabrieli | |
| 9.012 | (6-0-12) G | Cognitive Science | TR 1–4pm | TBA | Gibson, Sinha, Tenenbaum | |
| 9.013J | (3-0-9) G | Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Core II | MW 1–2:30pm | TBA | Feng, Tsai | Same as 7.68J |
| 9.017 | (2-2-8) G | Neural Mechanisms of Cognitive Computations | MW 11am–12pm, Lab F 1–3pm | TBA | Halassa | |
| 9.073 | (3-0-9) G | Statistics for Neuroscience Research | MW 9:30–11am | TBA | Brown | Same as HST.460 |
| 9.09J | (3-0-9) U | Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology | MW 1–2:30pm + recitation | TBA | Heiman, Littleton | Same as 7.29J |
| 9.110J | (3-0-9) G | Nonlinear Control System Design | TR 1–2:30pm | TBA | Slotine | Same as 2.152J |
| 9.12 | (2-4-6) U | Experimental Molecular Neurobiology | T 3–5pm, Lab R 9am–1pm and F 1–5pm | TBA | Choi, Flavell, Zhang | |
| 9.13 | (3-0-9) U | The Human Brain | MW 11am–12:30pm | TBA | Kanwisher | |
| 9.123 | (3-6-3) G | Neurotechnology in Action | TR 2:30–4pm | TBA | Jasanoff, Boyden, Jonas | Same as 20.203J |
| 9.18J/9.181J | (3-0-9) U&G | Developmental Neurobiology | TR 2:30–4pm | TBA | Heiman, Nedivi | Same as 7.49J/7.69J |
| 9.24 | (3-0-9) U | Disorders and Diseases of the Nervous System | F 1–4pm | TBA | Sur | |
| 9.26J | (3-0-9) U | Principles and Applications of Genetic Engineering for Biotechnology and Neuroscience | F 10am–1pm | TBA | Zhang | Same as 20.205J |
| 9.271J | (3-0-9) G | Pioneering Technologies for Interrogating Complex Biological Systems | MW 1–2:30pm | TBA | Chung | Same as HST.562J/ 10.562J |
| 9.28 | (3-0-6) U | Current Topics in Developmental Neurobiology | TR 2:30–4pm | TBA | Nedivi | |
| 9.301J | (3-0-6) G | Neural Plasticity in Learning and Memory | R 1-4pm | TBA | Tonegawa | Same as 7.98J |
| 9.35 | (4-0-8) U | Perception | TR 2:30-4pm + recitation | TBA | McDermott | |
| 9.357 | (2-0-7) G | Current Topics in Perception | M 3–5pm | TBA | Adelson | |
| 9.40 | (4-0-8) U | Introduction to Neural Computation | TR 10:30am–12pm + recitation | TBA | Fee | |
| 9.521J | (4-0-8) G | Mathematical Statistics: A Non-Asymptotic Approach | TR 1–2:30pm | TBA | Rakhlin | same as IDS.160 |
| 9.53/9.530 | (4-0-8) U&G | Emergent Computations within Distributed Neural Circuits | MW 3:30–5pm | TBA | Ajemian | |
| 9.55 | Consumer Behavior | TBA | Rand | Same as 15.847 | ||
| 9.59J | (3-3-6) U | Laboratory in Psycholinguistics | MW 1-2:30pm, Lab F 1–4pm | TBA | Gibson | Same as 24.905J |
| 9.60 | (2-1-9) U | Machine Motivated Human Vision | TR 11am–12:30pm | TBA | Sinha | |
| 9.822J | (4-0-8) G | Psychology and Economics | W 4–7pm | TBA | Prelec | Same as 14.137J |
| 9.S914 | Language in the Mind and Brain | TBA | Fedorenko | |||
| 9.S918 | (2-0-4) G | MIT Colloquium on the Brain and Cognition: Background Research Seminar | W 12–1pm | TBA |
MIT's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) cultivates and supports research partnerships between MIT undergraduates and faculty. Participating in a UROP through the department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science gives students an incredible opportunity to be a part of the exciting research taking place here at MIT.
Please take some time to explore BCS and EECS faculty profiles and learn about what their labs are investigating!
Browse current UROP opportunities posted on MIT’s UROP website.
For more information or questions please contact bcs-undergrad-admin@mit.edu
The Computation and Cognition major provides students with outstanding preparation for research and development in the science and engineering of intelligent systems. The problem of intelligence — how the brain produces intelligent behavior and how it can be replicated in machines — is one of the greatest engineering and scientific challenges of our time. The fields of neuroscience and computer science are complementary and interacting. Transformative advances in machine intelligence will require an understanding of the mechanisms of the human mind and brain in engineering terms.
Graduates of the program will be well-positioned for careers in two rapidly emerging fields: 1) the science and engineering of computational approaches to cognition and intelligence, and 2) computational approaches to understanding the architecture, circuits and physiology of the brain. Our expectation is that graduates of the new joint program will be extremely attractive to companies working in the area of machine intelligence (Google, IBM, DeepMind, Facebook, GE, etc.), and will be highly competitive in graduate programs in the brain and cognitive sciences.
Sample Job Titles:
For more information, contact:
BCS Academic Office
Building 46 Room 2005