Department Selection Results for Mueunjae Undergraduates
Department Selection Results for Mueunjae Undergraduates
  • reporter Yoon Seok-sang
  • 승인 2019.09.05 19:28
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▲Mueunjae 18 department selection survey and final results
▲Mueunjae 18 department selection survey and final results

 

The first-ever department selection results are finally out after a total of 289 out of 291 Mueunjae sophomores have decided on which field to major in. This is a pioneering work of POSTECH’s latest freshmen division: the Mueunjae School of Undergraduate Studies. Since 2018, new students entered POSTECH without a major; instead, they were admitted into the Mueunjae School of Undergraduate Studies and could choose their desired field of study after three semesters. Although this system is great for students, since they can choose whichever departments that suits them best without any restrictions, limitations with this process and the need for improvement are also highlighted through the bias in numbers.

The results are seen in the table. Two students have put their choices on hold and will continue to remain as a member of the Mueunjae School of Undergraduate Studies. The results are to be processed by Sept. 2, and the students will be transferred to their new departments.

Compared to the poll that was carried out just after admission, the final selection results showed that more than half of the students changed their minds after three semesters. The preliminary results are as follows: 16 students selected MATH; 30 for PHYS; 24 for CHEM; 47 for LIFE; 38 for MSE; 52 for ME; 10 for IME; 33 for EEE; 25 for CSE; and 40 for CE. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and necessity of the Mueunjae School of Undergraduate Studies as it provided students with the time and experience required to make the right choice. Um Tae-gyu (Mueunjae 18) remarked that entering POSTECH without a major provided him with a great opportunity to explore and think about his career.

However, the polarization between departments should be an issue well noted. For instance, CSE has 63 students while MSE only has 10; yet the numbers of professors in each department are nearly the same, 22 and 21 respectively. Take a look at PHYS: there are 30 professors for 11 students. There are departments with an excess of students or professors. This has the potential to be a considerable problem, both academically and financially. POSTECH has been revered for its excellent student-teacher ratio; however, this may no longer be true for some departments such as CSE. It is unclear whether more faculty and resources will be allocated to these over-saturated departments; this is a matter that should be thoroughly discussed by the school administration.

The founding of the Mueunjae School of Undergraduate Studies and the new system of allowing students to freely choose their majors is indeed an improvement that is welcomed by students that are either currently attending (admitted in 2018 and later) or looking forward to entering POSTECH. However, this being the first-ever attempt, the administration should also learn from the situations that arise and fix or upgrade the system promptly and ensure that no student will be at a disadvantage.