Curriculum

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This is an introduction to the educational system at the School of Materials Science. The School of Materials Science offers a curriculum that allows each student to acquire the credits required for completion of the program in accordance with their skill level and progress. Each course is structured to help students develop their abilities by obliging them to engage in practice and sit term-end examinations. Students plan their schedule of classes in the master's program according to their undergraduate achievements and the specialized field in which they desire to study. Please create your image of studying at our school by considering detailed curriculum composition.


Taking classes

Students gain credits required to complete programs by taking Introductory and other courses, including courses not yet taken or in areas where improvement is desired, before moving to specialized coursework. Students can also acquire credits required to complete programs by taking advanced-level courses instead of taking Introductory lectures in specialized subjects. To determine the most appropriate courses, individual students should check the guidelines and consult with their advisers.

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Advanced course and training

We offer Advanced Course and Training to better prepare students to carry out their main and sub theme research. The School of Materials Science employs a guidance system with multiple advisers that provides each student with individual guidance by a team of three advisers, Main and Assistant Advisers for research in their main theme, and a Sub-theme Adviser.

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Curriculum composition

The School of Materials Science includes the following curriculum:

Note: Certain N000 series Nano Lectures and TC00 series English Courses are common to all programs.

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Classification of lectures

Each series of lectures and subjects are classified as follows:

- M100 series Introductory Lectures (Specialized subjects: Undergraduate level lectures in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology)
- M200 series Basic Lectures (Specialized subjects: Consisting of the following six fields)
- M210 series (Physics I)
- M220 series (Chemistry I)
- M230 series (Biology I)
- M240 series (Physics II)
- M250 series (Chemistry II)
- M260 series (Biology II)
- M400 series Intermediate Lectures (Specialized subjects: Highly-specialized lectures in each field)
- M600 series Advanced Lectures (High-level specialized subjects designed mainly for students in doctoral programs and given, as a rule, in English)
- N000 series Nano Technology Courses
- TC00 series English Courses
- O00 series Common Subjects (Humanity)
- In principle, students are allowed to use lectures in other graduate schools as common subjects.

Physics I, Chemistry I, and Biology I lectures in the M200 series are basic lectures (taken by students in all fields) and Physics II, Chemistry II, and Biology II lectures are advanced lectures (taken by students in the relevant majors). See the most recent syllabus for more details on lectures offered by the School of Materials Science. A syllabus of lectures for all graduate schools is also available.

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Requirements for the master's degree

Students require 20 or more credits from among the lectures listed above. Students also need to meet the following requirements:

- 16 or more credits in 8 Specialized Subjects;
- 8 or more credits in 4 Basic Lectures (M200 series);
- Credits in 3 fields, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, from Basic Lectures by following the procedures shown below:
- For the major field of study, credits in 2 subjects from Basic Lecture Group I and Advanced Lecture Group II, including at least 1 credit from Advanced Lecture Group II; and
- credits from 1 or more subjects in two other fields (sub majors) each; however, for one of the sub majors, students can select from Introductory Lecture subjects to meet the requirements for credits in three fields.

"Major" here means Physics, Chemistry, or Biology, which each student chooses as his/her major area of study and which is determined when submitting the Research Plan for Master's Degree. In addition, the research should consist of sub and main themes for which 10 credits from the Advanced Course and Training will be granted.

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Requirements for assignment to a research laboratory for the master's degree

Students require credits in 2 specialized subjects, including 1 in the M200 or higher series.

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Requirements for submission of the research plan for master's degree

At the end of the 1st year, students are required to submit their research plans. Prior to submission, students require 8 credits in 4 specialized subjects in the M200 or more advanced series, including M200 series lectures in three fields (1 major and 2 sub majors). However, one sub major lecture can be an Introductory Lecture.

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Requirements for the doctoral degree

Students require 10 credits in 5 specialized subjects (M200, M400, and M 600 series), including 2 subjects from at least 2 fields in the M600 series.
Upon approval, students who have acquired 10 or more credits before enrollment at other graduate schools or master's programs can apply them to the above-mentioned requirements.

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Options

Nano Material Technology Program

Students who acquire 8 or more credits in 4 subjects, including
- 2 or more credits in 1 from among the Basic Subjects for Nano-technology,
- 2 or more credits in 1 from among the Specialized Subjects for Application of Nano-materials, and
- 4 or more credits in 2 from among the Specialized Subjects for Nano-materials are conferred a certificate in Nano Material Technology in addition to a master's degree. This course is offered to the students at the School of Materials Science, members of the general public (nondegree students), and students at other graduate schools designated as special students.

Integrated Science and Technology Program

This is a multidisciplinary educational program that allows students at the School of Materials Science to take additional courses from either the School of Information Science or the School of Knowledge Science without regard to the boundaries of each school. Students, in principle, should have three or more years of work experience prior to enrollment. Students who wish to enter this course are required to take a course-specific examination as a part of the JAIST entrance examination.

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Year-round schedule

One term is 8 weeks.

"Quarter 1.1" (Beginning of April to the beginning of June)
"Quarter 1.2" (Beginning of June to late July)
"Quarter 2.1" (Beginning of October to the beginning of December)
"Quarter 2.2" (Beginning of December to the beginning of February)

Each of the above-mentioned lectures, excluding common subjects, is given twice per week intensively to allow students to reach a high level in a short period of time.
In addition, common subjects are mainly offered as intensive lectures in September.

 

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Characteristics of the curriculum of the School of Materials Science

This is an introduction to the characteristics of the curriculum and educational system of the School of Materials Science.

- We offer a curriculum that supports a variety of human resources and allows study in accordance with individual level of ability and progress.
- We have created a system that allows students to acquire academic knowledge and practical abilities in a wide range of fields without placing a disproportionate emphasis on one specialized field.
- Each lecture gives students practical training which steadily improves their abilities, and small tests and term-end examinations which help students monitor their progress.
- Through research on multiple themes (main and sub themes) utilizing the most-advanced equipment, students are able to experience a wide range of research activities.
- We provide students the opportunity to improve their English by offering a variety of lectures in scientific and technical English (Technical Communications) taught by native English speaking instructors.
- Credits for classes taken at the Center for Nano Materials and Technology can be used to fulfill part of the requirements for a master's degree.
- We hold frequent presentations and symposiums with the participation of front-line researchers both at home and abroad and maintain an environment that is active and stimulating.
- Students develop their high-level information processing abilities within the school's computerized environment.
- We promote student research and study by increasing access to teachers and teaching assistants through convenient Office Hours and by keeping our library open 24 hours a day throughout the year.
- Academically outstanding students can shorten the period in which they complete their studies.
- We continually strive to improve the curriculum through class evaluations by students, class reports by teachers, and training programs for teachers.

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