Decision Making and Reinforcement Learning

Columbia University, founded in 1754 and located in New York City, is a world-renowned Ivy League research university that blends rigorous scholarship with an urban, globally-connected campus life. With a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across the arts, sciences, engineering, business, and professional fields, Columbia emphasizes intellectual inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and access to the rich cultural and professional resources of New York.

Columbia’s academic strengths are complemented by extensive research facilities, libraries, and centers that support student-led projects and faculty scholarship. The university’s location enables exceptional internship, networking, and cultural opportunities across finance, media, technology, public policy, and the arts. Small seminars, mentorship from leading scholars, and a strong career services network help students translate academic achievement into professional success.

For international students, Columbia offers language support, international student advising, and a diverse campus community drawn from around the world. The university’s commitment to global engagement, combined with its urban setting, makes it an attractive choice for students seeking a rigorous education, significant research opportunities, and direct access to one of the world’s most vibrant cities.

The Decision Making and Reinforcement Learning program at Columbia University is an introduction to sequential decision making. It's a non-degree program that lasts several weeks and is taught in English. You'll learn how to make decisions and solve problems using reinforcement learning.

The curriculum covers topics like utility theory, multi-armed bandit problems, and Markov decision processes. You'll learn algorithms like dynamic programming and online planning methods. The program also introduces reinforcement learning paradigms like Monte Carlo methods and temporal difference learning.

After completing this program, you can pursue careers like Data Scientist, Business Analyst, Operations Research Analyst, Management Consultant, or Artificial Intelligence Engineer. You can work in industries like technology, finance, or healthcare, and employers like Google, Microsoft, or IBM may hire you.