Skills you’ll develop
While studying Cognitive Systems, you’ll be learning different approaches to natural and artificial thinking. You’ll also be developing important interdisciplinary skills that can be applied to cognition, language, and computation.
These skills may include:
- Evaluating of the connections between computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology, and relating them to real-world applications
- Applying of principles and techniques used by natural and artificial intelligence systems
- Research, data collection, synthesis, and presentation of information across diverse subjects
- Observing of issues through diverse perspectives grounded in theories
- Critical thinking and ability to debate different sides of an argument while considering philosophical and ethical implications
- Designing new intelligent systems or interfaces
- Collaborating with individuals from different backgrounds to innovate systems accounting for human-centred designs
Explore career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including research and development, technology, finance, public health, education, consulting, manufacturing, transportation, and others.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.
Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.
- Aerospace engineer
- Animal health technologist
- Artificial intelligence designer
- Biological technologist
- Business manager
- Business systems analyst
- Child life specialist
- Cognitive neuroscientist
- Consultant
- Crime scene examiner
- Data analyst
- Forensics psychologist
- Gerontologist
- Guidance counsellor
- Human-computer interface designer
- Human resources specialist
- Information systems manager
- Linguistics advisor
- Mediator
- Member of Parliament
- Mental health worker
- Occupational therapist
- Pharmaceutical researcher
- Psychologist
- Public affairs officer
- Rehabilitation counsellor
- Robotics specialist
- Scientific programmer
- Social policy researcher
- Social worker
- Software developer
- Speech pathologist
- Systems quality assurance analyst
- Technical support analyst
- Technical writer
- UX/UI designer
- Web developer
Make the most of your program
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help you understand your values and interests.
- UBC Cognitive Systems Society
Meet students interested in neuroscience, artificial intelligence, human-computer interfaces, and more. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - entrepreneurship@UBC
Get the resources and mentorship support you need to take your startup idea to the next level. - UBC Brain, Attention, and Reality Lab
Apply to volunteer as a research assistant. - Centre for Artificial Intelligence Decision-making and Action
Volunteer your time in a research role focused on the development, analysis, and application of AI systems. - #BCTECHSummit
Attend the conference, do some industry networking, or join an innovation challenge in term 2. - UBC Neuroscience Club
Learn about neuroscience research through weekly journal club meetings, student-led seminars, and an annual conference. - UBC Turing Club
Learn how to understand and work with artificial intelligence and machine learning – no coding experience required. - UBC Computer Science Student Society
Find volunteer opportunities, socialize with your peers, and network with industry members at events. - UBC Speech and Linguistics Student Association
Access peer tutoring services, attend career panel talks or social events, and learn about volunteer opportunities. - UBC Philosophy Students’ Association
Attend guest lectures, departmental dinners, and the annual undergraduate conference. - UBC Psychology Students’ Association
Sign up for resume and CV workshops, meet your Psychology professor, and attend fun events.
Build your network
Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.
The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.
- Association for Computing Machinery
- Association of Canadian Ergonomics
- Biotech Network
- Canada’s Association of IT Professionals
- Canadian Artificial Intelligence Association
- Canadian Association for Neuroscience
- Canadian Human-Computer Communications Society
- Canadian Society for Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Science
- Canadian Undergraduate Journal of Cognitive Science
- CIFAR
- Cognitive Development Society
- Cognitive Neuroscience Society
- Cognitive Science Society
- Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing
- Computing Research Association
- IEEE Computational Intelligence Society
- IEEE Robotics and Automation Society
- International Association for Cognitive Education and Psychology
- Psychonomic Society
- Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition
- Society for Music Perception and Cognition
- Special Interest Group on Human-Computer Interaction
- Western Canadian Robotics Society
- Women in Cognitive Science
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Cognitive Systems graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.
More information
From your Arts degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Arts degree.
Cognitive Systems is also a UBC Science specialization. Check out what you can do with a UBC Science degree or learn about other Science specializations.