Symbolic Systems
Symbolic Systems, or "SymSys", is an academic program at Stanford University with an interdisciplinary concentration on "the science of the mind" including courses in computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology.[1][2] The program is analogous to cognitive science departments at other schools.
The program offers both bachelor's and master's degrees. The undergraduate major is split into concentrations such as artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, decision making and rationality, and neuroscience. The master's degree requires students to complete a thesis project. The current director of the program is philosopher Kenneth Taylor, and the associate director is Todd Davies. Past directors of the program include philosopher Jon Barwise, linguist Tom Wasow[3] and cognitive scientist Ivan Sag.
Beyond enrolling in classes related to the program, there are several ways for students to get involved with the SymSys community. Student advisors and the student-led Symbolic Systems Society provide support and organize events for the major.[4] Each year, the program hosts a "Distinguished Speaker", which in the past have included Daniel Dennett, Steven Pinker, Edward Snowden, and Marvin Minsky.[5]
Notable graduates
- Chris Cox, Chief Product Officer at Facebook
- Scott Forstall, previously senior vice president at Apple
- Reid Hoffman[1], co-founder of Linkedin
- Eric Ly, co-founder of Linkedin
- Mike Krieger[1], co-founder of Instagram
- Yul Kwon, winner of reality TV show Survivor: Cook Island
- Marissa Mayer[1][6], creator of Google's Associate Product Manager (APM) program and Yahoo! CEO
- Yuko Munakata, professor of psychology at the University of Colorado Boulder
- Srinija Srinivasan, fifth employee of Yahoo!
- Tina Chen, Chinese-American actress
- Barney Pell, Associate Founder of Singularity University
- Tony Tulathimutte, American fiction writer
- Dalton Caldwell, founder and CEO of Mixed Media Labs
- Chris Phoenix, co-founder of the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology
- Michael C. Frank, developmental psychologist at Stanford University
- Caroline Campbell, violinist
References
- ^ a b c d Martinuzzi, Bruna (September 18, 2013). "Symbolic Systems: The Hot Major Among Highly Successful People". OPEN Forum. American Express. Archived from the original on 2015-11-29. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
It's a multidisciplinary major that blends computer science with psychology, linguistics and philosophy
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "What is Sym Sys?". Symbolic Systems Program. Stanford University. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
majors are required to take courses in the Departments of Computer Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, and Psychology
- ^ Linguistics and Philosophy Expert - Thomas Wasow, Stanford University, retrieved 2010-07-31.
- ^ "SymSys Society Homepage". Symbolic Systems Society. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ "Symbolic Systems Distinguished Speaker". Symbolic Systems Program. Stanford University. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ Dulce, Grace (16 July 2012). "Marissa Mayer named CEO of Yahoo!". Stanford Engineering. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
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External links
- Stanford University's Symbolic Systems Homepage
- Arizona State University's Symbolic Systems Certificate
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