Educational and research goals

The Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences (IGSES) comprises five different majors: Applied Science for Electronics and Materials, Molecular and Material Sciences, Advanced Energy Engineering Sciences, Energy and Environmental Engineering, and Earth System Science Technology. The IGSES educational research aims are to advance the study of materials, the environment, and energy-related areas as well as an integration of these fields. IGSES also aspires to accomplish the mission of training researchers and engineers who (1) are highly skilled in problem solving and have a strong potential for further research; (2) demonstrate a high level of environmental scientific expertise applied to eco-conscious technologies in the fields of materials, energy, environmental science, or closely related subject areas; and (3) are poised to thrive internationally to design a sustainable development-based society.

Admissions policy

The IGSES is intended for Japanese and foreign university students, and for persons who already have an occupational experience. Strong interest and awareness of harmony with the environment are required in the field of science and technology focused on materials, energy, and the environment. The ideal candidate should also possess a strong determination for studies and adequate academic skills.

Curriculum policy

At IGSES, we are committed to providing a fair and comprehensive education to each student by implementing the following features: (1) academic counseling and keeping students fully informed of the grading criteria and (2) a consistent progression of classes and content. We have enriched our class curriculum by implementing an organic and systematic education program within a five-fold interdisciplinary specialty framework. The IGSES’s objective is to train researchers and engineers who (1) are highly skilled in problem solving with strong potential for further research; (2) demonstrate a high level of environmental science expertise applied to an eco-conscious technology in the field of materials, energy, or closely related subject areas; and (3) are poised to thrive internationally to design a sustainable development-based society.

Graduation requirements

At IGSES, we award graduation certification and recognize course completion for all students who successfully pass their final exam, whose research papers have been accepted, who have received the necessary research guidance and who have acquired the prescribed credits within the allocated period of course time.

Policies - ASEM

Admissions policy

The Department of Applied Science for Electronics and Materials (ASEM) welcomes students who graduated Japanese or foreign universities in the field of natural science and engineering, as well as persons who already have an occupational experience in industry. A strong interest in the field of environmental science and technology, focused on materials, and energy, and a good grasp of the problems involved in this field are preferably required. The ideal candidate should also possess strong motivation for studies, adequate academic skills, and insights into the problems involved in the aforementioned fields.

Curriculum policy

Educational course features, content, and approach

ASEM aims to nurture engineers and researchers able to extensively contribute to the society through a new concept of applied science and technology based on the combined study of materials, devices, and processes. Mastery of this new applied science has been set as a priority goal. To achieve this goal, the ASEM department is enrolling students who already possess fundamental knowledge in these fields. Accordingly, this program is also designed to stress the following targets: (1) developing an overall view of the applied science and (2) achieving a top-to-bottom understanding in each field of study through mastery of all the ASEM curriculum subjects. These subjects comprise the following: (1) an interdisciplinary general class, (2) a basic applied science class based on our new concept, and (3) an advanced class designed for pursuing the study of the cutting-edge technology involved in each specialty.

Research programs

ASEM students are affiliated with the following six divisions: (1) Electric Process Engineering, (2) Optical Functional Material Engineering, (3) Quantum Physics, (4) Molecular Process Engineering, (5) Molecular Material Science, (6) Functional Physical Evaluation, and one research center—the Art, Science and Technology Center for Cooperative Research. Students receive direct research guidance from instructors, and students’ research is evaluated upon presentation and submission of their research papers at the end of the first and last years of the master’s program.

Completion requirements and performance evaluation

Master’s Degrees in engineering, science, or academics are conferred once students have obtained the following prescribed amount of credits: (1) 2 credits in optional classes and (2) 8 credits in compulsory elective classes and have (1) satisfactory performance on the examination committee interview test and (2) submitted their master’s degree research paper.

Doctoral Degrees in engineering, science, or philosophy are conferred once students have obtained the prescribed amount of credits (including the Applied Science for Electronics and Materials Doctoral Course thesis practical class) and have completed the following requirements: (1) submission of their thesis and (2) satisfactory performance on the examination committee interview test and thesis review process.

Policies - MMS

Admissions policy

The Department of Molecular and Material Sciences (MMS) is intended for the following students: (1) those who are intellectually stimulated by the prospect of conducting research and willing to accept the challenge of changing their study environment and exploring new realms of research without academic limitations and (2) those interested in material-related engineering and science who wish to further their academic specialty.

Curriculum policy

Educational course features, content, and approach

MMS offers a flexible curriculum adapted to the academic level and interests of students of various backgrounds willing to study the needed areas to achieve their future goals. We are committed to providing an interdisciplinary, practical class system based on specialized, basic, and intensive complementary content to help students develop their problem-solving skills and a broad approach. The specialized and basic class content is necessary for the mastery of both basic and cutting-edge materials science-related subjects, and complementary courses are designed to teach the basic scientific knowledge that students may not have learned in their respective majors and affiliated departments.

Research programs

In MMS, students are affiliated to one of the departmental laboratories listed below and commit themselves to acquiring broad-based, yet highly specialized expertise. A research activity-based education system has been implemented to achieve this goal. This system hinges on one project department and another industry-related partner project department comprising eight pillar disciplines: (1) Solid Surface Science, (2) Functional and Structural Materials Science, (3) Molecular Dynamics and Spectroscopy, (4) Strength of Materials, (5) Design of Functional Organic Molecules, (6) Organic and Organometallic Synthesis, (7) Development of Advanced Materials, and (8) Hybrid Materials Science.

Completion requirements and performance evaluation

Students are entitled to a Master’s Degree in engineering, science, or philosophy upon completion of the following requirements: (1) the prescribed amount of credits (2) a mid-term presentation of their Master’s Course research, (3) satisfactory performance on the examination committee interview test, and (4) submission of their Master’s Degree research paper. Students are entitled to a Doctoral Degree in engineering, science, or philosophy upon completion of the following requirements: (1) the prescribed amount of credits, (2) a mid-term presentation of their Doctorate Course research work, (3) submission of their thesis as well as satisfactory performance on the final examination committee interview test and thesis review process.

Policies - AEES

Admissions policy

The Department of Advanced Energy Engineering Sciences (AEES) is suitable for students with (1) a broad interest in the discipline, (2) leadership ability, and (3) sharp insightfulness underpinned by solid basic knowledge. As we give importance to the amount of effort invested after enrollment, we do not attach any importance to students’ previous backgrounds. In addition to the student having a scientific education, we also welcome students of various backgrounds such as foreign exchange students, persons with a professional experience, and vocational school students.

Curriculum policy

Educational course features, content, and approach

AEES comprises three subject groups: the Fusion Plasma Engineering Science, High Energy Material Science, and Advanced Energy System Technology groups. We are committed to educating technicians and researchers who possess both a high level of expertise and an open-minded approach through a two-pronged learning process. This process combines two main features: (1) deepening student expertise within their study group and (2) ensuring the acquisition of knowledge from other groups. Furthermore, we are committed to advancing the internationalization of our classes through the implementation of an exchange program between IGSES and foreign-based partner research facilities as well as intensive seminars led by foreign scholars.

Research programs

Students are assigned to laboratories in groups of three or five and receive individualized instruction tailored to their respective research areas. Given that the disciplines related to this major widely employ collaborative research, students have the opportunity to become a part of cutting-edge and transnational research projects.

Completion requirements and performance evaluation

Conditions for course completion are 30 credits that include the following: (1) 6 credits in compulsory subjects pertaining to the three main courses (Fusion Plasma Engineering Science, High Energy Material Science, and Advanced Energy System Technology) and (2) 4 additional credits in related subjects as well as (1) passing performance on the final examination and (2) submission of a Master’s Degree thesis. We comprehensively consider the student’s attendance, examination grades, and reports in the final evaluation. It is also possible to obtain a Doctoral Degree in philosophy, science, or engineering by successfully meeting the following requirements in the second half of the doctorate course: (1) obtaining the required credits for the major and (2) submitting and passing the final dissertation review.

Policies - EEE

Admissions policy

The Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering is intended for students with the motivation and ability to actively address the challenges of mastering academic subjects from the fundamentals to applications. The subjects involved address the formulation of an eco-conscious social system based on energy efficiency, energy-saving technology, and environmental burden reduction.

Curriculum policy

Educational course features, content, and approach

The first semester of the first year is focused on a host of classes related to basic subjects. Our goal is to allow students who already have a diverse academic background in such fields as architecture or mechanical engineering to study at a reasonable pace. By attending both basic and specialized courses, the students will be able to grasp the big picture of the heat and fluid-based environmental energy engineering discipline.

Research programs

All the laboratories observe a meticulous academic coaching system for student research subjects through literature reading groups and seminars. This system allows students to deepen and advance in their research through close interaction with instructors and other laboratory staff.

Completion requirements and performance evaluation

We have a stringent evaluation system with regular testing and reports for lectures and reports for practice and experiments. In addition to regular instructor evaluations and examination grades, the final Master’s Course paper is stringently reviewed and evaluated. Moreover, a major-specific evaluation system is also stringently and meticulously conducted. This final round of strict and meticulous evaluation considers the candidate’s day-to-day research activities and the quality of academic conference-oriented presentations.

Policies - ESST

Admissions policy

The academic portion of the Department of Earth System Science and Technology (ESST) comprises subjects such as Non-linear Physics, Atmospheric Environment, Atmosphere-Ocean Engineering and Marine Engineering. ESST is intended for students with a strong interest in earth sciences who want to actively contribute to the preservation and creation of the global environment in the 21st century.

Curriculum policy

Educational course features, content, and approach

In this major, the study of fluid dynamics is compulsory for all academic disciplines, including numerous earth environment-related engineering and science fields. To ensure the acquisition of these fundamentals, we have introduced a Geophysical Fluid Dynamics compulsory class into the first-year curriculum of the Master’s Course. We had also started an Ocean Observation Training Cruise through a credit exchange system with a graduate program at Nagasaki University to gain experience with maritime observation devices and life at sea.

Research programs

In ESST, the two following features have been added to the main IGSES laboratory: (1) lectures with cooperation from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology and (2) cooperative laboratories from the Research Institute for Applied Mechanics. Interdisciplinary research and educational activities are conducted in close cooperation between all laboratories.

Completion requirements and performance evaluation

For both the Master’s and Doctoral Courses, successfully passing the final review of the graduation thesis is compulsory. In addition, students are required to obtain the prescribed credits from classes in the major and related classes. Furthermore, written exams, reports, and oral presentations are used to assess the overall objective achievement and understanding level of the students.