POSTECH is considering the implementation of a new Bachelor-Master-Ph.D. fast-track program to shorten the time required for excellent students to obtain their degrees. According to an announcement by the Educational Affairs and Records on Feb. 27, the “3+4” fast-track program consists of a three-year undergraduate course and a four-year integrated Master-Ph.D. course, allowing students to obtain a doctoral degree in seven years.
Specifically, candidates will be selected from students who have met a certain credit requirement after the end of the second semester, and they will be assigned an undergraduate advisor. From the second year, students will receive intensive education with a research advisor from their desired department. After the end of the second year, students who have completed a certain number of credits and received approval from their advisor are finally selected as the program participants, and a graduate advisor is selected. From the third year, students will begin taking graduate-level courses and conducting research under the guidance of their advisor.
As similar fast-track programs already exist in other universities and a specific department at POSTECH, the key challenge is how this new program will be distinguished from them. Currently, the Department of Semiconductor Engineering (SEMI) operates a “3+3” track, which consists of a three-year undergraduate course and a three-year integrated Master-Ph.D. course. This program has been operating similarly to the “3+4” track operational plan proposed by the Educational Affairs and Records. The biggest difference is that “3+3” track students must undergo an additional corporate screening process after being selected by the department because the SEMI is a contract department with Samsung Electronics.
Furthermore, KAIST has been operating the “3+4” track (also known as TUBE) since 2024. To apply for the program, students must maintain a GPA above 3.7 or submit significant research achievements. Additionally, students must complete at least 69 credits within three or four semesters of admission and maintain a GPA of 3.7 or higher until graduation. The program is not available in all departments at KAIST, as some departments do not recruit applicants for the program. Selection does not guarantee graduation within seven years, and the exact timing depends on the individual’s capabilities.
While the fast-track program can be an attractive option for students who want to obtain their degrees quickly, there are also skeptical perspectives on its introduction. JOUNG Ji-hwan (LIFE 24) remarked, “I think the educational purpose of the Mueunjae School of Undergraduate Studies is to provide students the opportunity to discover their interests through diverse academic experiences. If this program is introduced, students might miss out on the important element of undergraduate life.”
The specific details of the program are currently under review and have not been finalized. According to a response The Postech Times received from the Educational Affairs and Records on March 9, the introduction of the program and its detailed operational plan are still being deliberated. Further discussions will be held within POSTECH based on the results of a survey conducted among undergraduate and graduate students, and a rough decision including the program’s implementation will be finalized after mid-April.
