Minor
About Applied Ontology (Minor Only) at CSUSB
The Applied Ontology minor at Cal State San Bernardino introduces students to the foundational structures of knowledge, meaning, and classification—and how these concepts shape real-world systems in technology, science, and society.
Through coursework in logic, metaphysics, semantics, and the philosophy of language, students learn how information is organized, how categories are formed, and how conceptual frameworks guide human understanding and decision-making.
This interdisciplinary minor is especially valuable for students interested in data science, artificial intelligence, information systems, cognitive science, linguistics, library science, or any field that relies on building clear, consistent frameworks for organizing knowledge.
Students develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills, learning to solve complex problems by examining how concepts, relationships, and structures fit together. The curriculum is both rigorous and flexible, complementing majors in philosophy, computer science, psychology, business, English, and more.
Careers in Applied Ontology (Minor Only)
Applied Ontology is an emerging and rapidly growing field with applications across technology, information management, and research.
Students who pursue this minor are equipped with skills in logical reasoning, conceptual modeling, and information architecture—making them strong candidates for industries that depend on organizing, interpreting, and structuring data.
Career paths include roles such as:
- Data analyst or knowledge engineer
- Information architect or systems designer
- AI and machine learning support roles, especially in classification systems and natural language technologies
- UX researcher or content strategist
- Technical writer, research analyst, or policy analyst
- Library and information science careers, including metadata and digital cataloging
- Cognitive science and linguistics research
- Graduate study in philosophy, computer science, or information science
Employers value the precision, clarity of thought, and organizational problem-solving that students gain through this minor.
Sample Courses
Predicate Logic
Introduction to the standard predicate calculus. Some metatheory. This course requires some basic mathematical or logical background.
Critical Thinking Through Symbolic Logic
Introduction to logic and its application to everyday reasoning. Emphasis on formal methods and modern symbolic logic.
Advanced Issues in Logic
Discussion of issues such as axiomatic logic, proofs of soundness and completeness, the incompleteness of arithmetic and set theory.
Meet Alum Ravi Nayak
Opportunities for Students
Students in the Applied Ontology minor participate in engaging coursework and intellectual exploration that prepare them for advanced academic and professional opportunities:
- Courses in logic, language, and metaphysics that develop careful reasoning and structured analysis
- Training in conceptual modeling, classification systems, and semantic structure
- Collaborative learning with students in computer science, psychology, linguistics, and philosophy
- Opportunities to connect ontology to AI, data science, and digital information systems
- Undergraduate research projects supported by faculty in philosophy and interdisciplinary programs
- Mentorship from faculty experts in logic, metaphysics, and information structure
- Preparation for graduate programs in philosophy, information science, data analytics, and related fields
These experiences help students build strong analytical foundations and prepare for careers that require clear, systematic thinking.
Similar to Applied Ontology (Minor Only)
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