SYMBO-BS - Symbolic Systems (BS)
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Program Overview
The observation that both human beings and computers can manipulate symbols lies at the heart of Symbolic Systems, an interdisciplinary program focusing on the relationship between natural and artificial systems that represent, process, and act on information. Computer programs, natural languages, the human mind, and the Internet embody concepts whose study forms the core of the Symbolic Systems curriculum, such as computation, representation, communication, and intelligence.
The undergraduate program in Symbolic Systems is an interdisciplinary program focusing on the relationships between natural and artificial systems that use symbols to communicate and represent information. The program’s mission is to prepare majors with the vocabulary, theoretical background, and technical skills necessary to research questions about language, information, and intelligence, both human and machine. The curriculum offers a combination of traditional humanistic approaches to these questions and a training and familiarity with contemporary developments in the science and technology of computation. Students in the major take courses in cognitive science, computer programming, logic and computational theory, probability, cognitive psychology, philosophy of mind, linguistics, and artificial intelligence. The program prepares students for careers in the private and public sectors, especially those involving the human-facing sides of information systems/technology, and for further study and research in the cognitive and/or information sciences. A major in Symbolic Systems qualifies as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) major under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Designated Degree Programs list of STEM programs. Depending on the study plan, Sym Sys students can be classified as studying Cognitive Science (2010 CIP Code 30.2501) and/or Informatics (2010 CIP Code 11.0104).
Advising
Upon declaration approval, students are assigned to the Program Director and Associate Director as major advisors. The student must also select and confirm a concentration advisor.
Declared majors must select a concentration advisor by autumn quarter of their junior year. A hold is placed on winter quarter registration for juniors who do not have a concentration advisor by autumn quarter of their junior year. Juniors declaring the major must have a concentration advisor confirmed at the time of declaration.
Any individual with an ongoing instructional appointment at Stanford (listed in Chapters 2, 6, or 9 of the Faculty Handbook) may serve as the concentration advisor. To confirm a concentration advisor after an eligible faculty member has agreed to fill this role, the student must send an email message to symsys-sso@stanford.edu and the concentration advisor, including a statement of how the student plans to fulfill the capstone requirement of the major. Changes to capstone plans require the approval of the concentration advisor.
Preparing for the Major
How to Declare the Major
To declare a major in Symbolic Systems, a student must:
Be enrolled in or have completed course Minds and Machines
Declare the major in Axess, and have the program student services officer approve the declaration
Submit a preliminary Course Plan form for the major to a declaration interview with one of the Advising Fellows or the Associate Director of the Program; see the Office Hours calendar on the SYMSYS website for possible interview times
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
The Symbolic Systems major requires the completion of:
Core curriculum — a standard set of foundations, breadth requirements, and experiential requirements that all students in the program must complete
Subplan — an approved concentration and depth in a particular specialization (subplan) chosen by the student; courses of at least three units each that fulfill the requirements for one of the subplan areas below.
Students must submit a course plan to the student services officer for Symbolic Systems at least two quarters before the planned graduation date, listing courses taken or that will be completed to fulfill the course requirements for the major.
Students must obtain approval for courses not listed as approved for a major requirement.
All courses taken to fulfill a major requirement for Symbolic Systems must be passed for three units or more, with either a letter grade (C- or better for core courses, and a D- or above for concentration courses), a no-option pass grade (S or its equivalent in the Graduate School of Business, Stanford Law School, or School of Medicine, or in an approved transfer credit course from another institution. A CR cannot be used to fulfill a significant requirement for Symbolic Systems), except as modified by the COVID-19 policies in effect during 2020-21. Students who have already completed a required course with a CR grade may file a Replacement Petition to take a course in the same subject area at the same or a higher level to avoid having to retake the course.
Unless otherwise stated, each course counted for the major must be taken for three units or more. Taking a course for three units is sufficient unless the requirement specifically states otherwise.
Each course taken for the major may be counted toward only one required course in either the Core or Subplan (not both), except in cases where double-counting is explicitly allowed.
Students in a Dual Degree Program, students taking a minor, or students in a Coterminal Program, may not double-count courses towards different degree programs or minors unless a course is an Introductory Skill Requirement for both majors.
The program is open to requests to approve courses not listed as options to fulfill major requirements. Consult the student services office for details of this process.
In most cases, a student's first 10 units toward the Calculus and Linear Algebra requirement will consist of units in the Single Variable Calculus Math 19, 20 and 21 series. A student for whom the Mathematics Placement Diagnostic recommends placement beyond the level for which they have unit credit may take courses beyond MATH 51 or CME 100 in the Multivariate and Linear Algebra list below to comprise the additional units needed to meet the 14 units requirement.
Effective Autumn 2023-24, Credit for MATH 21 or 10 units of credit for single variable calculus is an enforced prerequisite for enrolling in MATH 51 or CME 100. Please read the Math Department's rationale for requiring MATH 21 prior to a course in multivariable calculus.
The Symbolic Systems Program recommends MATH rather than CME or ENGR courses as preferred ways for most students to learn multivariate calculus and linear algebra, because of their more extensive coverage of linear algebra methods used in many higher level courses which are options for the major.
At the request of the Mathematics Department, the Mathematics Placement Diagnostic option that was previously available for fulfilling all or part of the Single-Variable Calculus requirement may only be used by students who were declared and approved as Symbolic Systems majors before the end of the Academic Year 2022-23. See the 2022-23 Bulletin for the G4.0 requirements if you are eligible to complete them.
6 units replacing MATH 19 and 20, or 10 units replacing MATH 19, 20, and 21, earned through Advanced Placement or other international exams can be applied towards the required 14 units ( Units cannot be counted for both AP/exam credit and the courses that the credit replaces.)
MATH 52: Integral Calculus of Several Variables, and/or MATH 53: Ordinary Differential Equations with Linear Algebra
MATH 63CM and (optionally) MATH 62CM: Modern Mathematics: Continuous Methods
MATH 62DM and/or MATH 63DM: Modern Mathematics Discrete Methods [Note: MATH 63DM counts for the Probability Theory and Statistics Core requirement]
MATH 113: Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory
MATH 104: Applied Matrix Theory [prerequisite: CS 106A]
CME 102: Ordinary Differential Equations for Engineers (ENGR 155A) and (optionally) CME 104: Linear Algebra and Partial Differential Equations for Engineers (ENGR 155B)
CME 102A: Ordinary Differential Equations for Engineers, ACE, and (optionally) CME 104A: Linear Algebra and Partial Differential Equations for Engineers, ACE
CME 103: Introduction to Matrix Methods (EE 103) [prerequisite: CS 106A or programming experience]
One approved course from one of the lists below that (a) builds on the Core Preparations and Breadth Requirements, (b) is small – 20 students or fewer, and (c) is an interactive, discussion-based seminar may be double-counted for an applicable Concentration (Subplan) requirement, but not for a Core requirement.
Undergraduate Research
The program encourages all SSP majors to gain experience in directed research by participating in faculty research projects or 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 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 course Independent Study.
Contact SSP for more information on these possibilities, or see the Symbolic Systems website. In addition, visit the Undergraduate Advising and Research website for details on UAR grants and scholarships supporting student research projects at all levels.
Four Methodological Areas:
Philosophical Analysis
Formal Methods
Computational Methods
Empirical Cognitive Science
Any course of three units or more listed with a PHIL course number (except PHIL 99/SYMSYS 1)
course: Emotion
Courses that focus on critical, deep questioning, careful reasoning, introspection, and argumentation, and the meaning of intuitions, scenarios, and evidence.
Choose one course from each of the following categories:
Formal Logic
Theory of Computation
Probability Theory & Statistics
PHIL 151 carries a prerequisite of PHIL 150.
Choose one course from each of the following categories:
Programming I
Programming II
A post-CS 106B Course - covering one or more broad computational methods with a programming component
A course covering one or more broad computational methods with a programming component.
Complete one course from each of the following categories:
Overview of Psychology
An Introductory Course in Cognition, Language, & Neuroscience
Linguistic Theory
Only one course must be chosen to fulfill the requirement. The following categories are for guidance only:
Suggested Courses for Most Students
Philosophical Analysis & Formal Methods
Philosophical Analysis & Computational Methods
Philosophical Analysis & Empirical Cognitive Science
Formal Methods & Computational Methods
Formal Methods & Empirical Cognitive Science
Computational Methods & Empirical Cognitive Science
An experiential requirement consisting of the following components, chosen in consultation with, and approved by, a student’s Concentration (Subplan) Adviser (3 or more units each).
To obtain approval for your Capstone plan, submit the Capstone Approval Form. This form must be submitted in addition to your SYMSYS Course Plan. Additionally, your Capstone plan is subject to final approval by the Symbolic Systems Program office and must be approved by end of first week of Winter Quarter, Junior Year (8th quarter) or a hold will be placed on Spring quarter registration.
Taken under a student's Honors Advisor.
Supervised research with a faculty member on an approved symbolic-systems-related project, taken as SYMSYS 196, or a department-based directed research course.
Must be taken in conjunction with an approved internship or service project.
Continuation of the course taken for the Practicum requirement.
May be either the second quarter of a two-quarter course, or a one-quarter course.
Supervised research with a faculty member on an approved symbolic-systems-related project, taken as SYMSYS 196, or a department-based directed research course.
A public presentation of the student’s work at one of the following annual events:
Symbolic Systems Autumn Poster Fair for Summer Interns and Capstone Projects,
Symbolic Systems Spring Graduation Fair for Capstone and Master’s Projects, or
Symbolic Systems Senior Honors Forum at the end of spring quarter
Seniors in SSP may apply for admission to the Symbolic Systems honors program before their final year of study begins. 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 course Senior Honors Tutorial any quarter while a student works on an honors project. course Senior Honors Seminar is recommended for honors students during their senior year. Contact SSP or visit the program’s website for more information on the honors program, including deadlines and policies.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
Chosen from the "select" list of AI courses (category B of the MSCS AI Track).
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options to be added as they are approved — some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems Website.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Any course of three units or more, listed with a CS course number greater than 110, excluding course or course.
Any course of three units or more, listed with an EE course number.
Any course of three units or more, listed with a MATH course number.
Any course of three units or more, listed with a STATS course number.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Or any d.school course worth three or more units.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
Students in the Learning Subplan must complete four courses from areas 1-3 below, with at least one from each area, plus one course from area 4. If any of requirements 1-4 are fulfilled with courses taken for Core requirements, additional approved Contingent Elective courses (see area 5) must be completed to total five courses beyond those taken for the Core.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems Website.
Students in the Natural Language Subplan must take four courses from at least three of areas 1-7, plus a course from area 8. If any of requirements 1-7 are fulfilled with courses taken for Core requirements, additional approved Contingent Elective courses (see area 9) must be completed to total five courses beyond those taken for the Core.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options to be added as they are approved — some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
Students in the Neurosciences Subplan must take a total of five courses. At least two of the five courses must be from the first two areas, and at least one must come from area 7. If any courses listed under areas 1-6 are taken for Core requirements, additional approved Contingent Elective courses (see area 8) must be completed to total five courses beyond those taken for the Core. Area 9 (Recommended Add-ons) consists of one- and two-unit courses that supplement areas 1-8. Add-on courses do not count toward the five-course requirement for the Subplan.
Note: course is a six-unit course, which counts as two concentration courses, from areas 1 and 2.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved -- some options may be removed if they are included in the list of SYMSYS 195* project courses to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
These courses are recommended, but do not count toward the five-course requirement for the Subplan.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
A Subplan-Specific Integrative Course: A course that integrates the themes of the Subplan with the Core requirements. More options are to be added as they are approved — some options may be removed if they are included in the SYMSYS 195* project courses list to avoid redundancy with the Standard Options.
Additional courses may be added here in the future.
See also the Symbolic Systems website.
(Concentrations referred to as Subplans within Bulletin and Degree Guide)
Individually Designed Concentrations (IDCs) consist of five courses in a coherent subject area related to symbolic systems. This relationship may be established through inclusion in an IDC of two or more courses that connect the proposed concentration to the core, i.e., courses that (a) directly apply disciplines included in the core and (b) are related by topic or methodology to the other courses in the proposed concentration.
Course selection is to be made in consultation with the student’s advisor and is subject to approval by the advisor, the Associate Director, and the Director. For examples of IDCs completed by past SSP students, consult the alumni list and apply the filter “Individually Designed Concentration.”
Approval of an IDC must take place no less than two full quarters before a student plans to graduate, e.g., before the first day of winter quarter of the senior year if a student intends to graduate in June of that year. Failure to obtain approval by the required date will necessitate either completing the requirements for one of the suggested concentrations or delaying graduation to the end of the second full quarter following approval of an IDC.
To get a proposed IDC approved, send an email message to symsys-directors at lists.stanford.edu, cc’d to your prospective concentration advisor, stating that the advisor has approved your proposal and giving a title, one-paragraph description, and course plan for your proposed concentration.