Originally from Beijing, China, Muhan Liang enrolled in the Postbaccalaureate Studies program during Columbia Summer after completing her last semester of classes in the Strategic Communication master’s program at Columbia SPS.
We sat down with Muhan to learn more about what attracted her to the program, what her experience was like, and what hopes she holds for the future.
What attracted you to the Postbaccalaureate Studies program?
Because I wanted to enrich my technical skills, the Postbaccalaureate Studies program offered me an opportunity to take any classes that I wanted from the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
What has your experience been like with your courses? What was the online experience like?
The Columbia Summer sessions offered me a chance to gain all the skills I need in a condensed, fast and efficient setting. All the professors adjusted their strategies in teaching online classes by doing in-class activities, adding extra office hours held by TAs and collecting and adapting students' feedback. The online format also saved me a lot of time from the daily commute.
What was your favorite course?
My favorite course was Computational Linear Algebra. It helped me discover my true passion in the field that I did not choose to study during my undergraduate career.
How are you staying connected with faculty and your peers during this time?
Most of the classes enrolled students on Piazza, where students can post questions for the faculty and receive a response in a timely manner. Meeting online with faculty is also a great way to get extra help if needed.
What do you hope to do in the future? And how will your studies at Columbia help you get there?
I hope to become a Software Engineer in the future and the Postbaccalaureate Studies program provided me a chance to familiarize myself with the fundamental engineering curriculum and made me realize that I could do something different from my undergraduate major.
Learn more about the Postbaccalaureate Studies program at Columbia University School of Professional Studies.
