SYMBO-MIN - Symbolic Systems (Minor)

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. A body of knowledge and theory has developed around these notions, from disciplines such as philosophy, computer science, linguistics, psychology, statistics, neurobiology, and communication. Since the invention of computers, researchers have been working across these disciplines to study questions such as: in what ways are computers and computer languages like human beings and their languages; how can the interaction between people and computers be made easier and more beneficial?

An external course taken at another institution (i.e college or university) can be proposed to fulfill a requirement as a replacement for an approved Stanford course. Note especially the following for this type of petition:

• Evidence must be provided that the course is substantially similar in content, level, and rigor to one or more Stanford courses that meet the requirement. A link to the course description online, and a syllabus if available, can serve as evidence, along with reading material and other assignments. The course prerequisites should be similar to those listed for the Stanford course(s) it is intended to replace.

• The proposed external course must be eligible for three units or more of transfer credit at Stanford, as determined by the Registrar's office.

• Approval of a proposed external course is contingent on the student who proposes the course agreeing to ask the Registrar's office to send the SymSys Program office a certification that transfer credit has been received after the course has been completed and transferred. This certification must include the transcript record of the course -- including the offering institution's name, the listing number and course name, grade received and the number of Stanford units credited.

• You can consult the Registrar’s Transfer Credit Database and Course Equivalency List to identify courses at other institutions that may be appropriate to replace a Stanford course. The appearance of a pair of courses on the equivalency list does not guarantee that the transfer course will be accepted by the SymSys Program in place of the Stanford course in the pairing, but the equivalency list is a good indication of courses that may be appropriate as replacements.

For further information on Replacement Petitions, please visit this page: Replacement Petitions | Symbolic Systems Program (stanford.edu)