Master’s & Doctoral Programs in Science and Technology(Green Science and Engineering)

English-Based Program of Environmental and Sustainability-Related Studies

The Green Science and Engineering Division is a division in which the educational guidance is given by English. It occupies a special position among the nine divisions of the Graduate School of Science and Technology. That is, the entire educational program, including lectures and research guidance, is conducted in English. In addition, emphasis is given to environmental and sustainability-related studies, which are vital to the future of humankind. To foster crossdisciplinary education, faculty members from the eight divitions(Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Applied Chemistry, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Biological Science, Information Science)will be involved in teaching and research guidance. At the same time, by joining the research group of the faculty member of their choice, students can receive research guidance and pursue much more advanced research work.

Course List

Students in the Master’s Program are required to take a total of 30 credits(Compulsory Elective 2, Elective 28). Students in the Doctoral Program are required to take a total of 6 compulsory credits.

Compulsory Elective Subjects for Master’s Program

  • Master’s Thesis Tutorial and Exercise 1A
  • Master’s Thesis Tutorial and Exercise 1B
  • Master’s Thesis Tutorial and Exercise 2A
  • Master’s Thesis Tutorial and Exercise 2B

Elective Subjects for Master’s Program

  • Green Science and Engineering 1
  • Green Science and Engineering 2
  • Green Science and Engineering 3
  • Green Science and Engineering 4
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Advanced Mechanical Engineering 1
  • Advanced Mechanical Engineering 2
  • Advanced Electrical and Electronics Engineering 1
  • Advanced Electrical and Electronics Engineering 2
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Advanced Materials
  • Computational Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry and Natural Products
  • Differential Equations for Natural Phenomena
  • Statistical Data Analysis
  • Introduction to Subatomic Physics
  • Environmental Basic Biology
  • Environmental Life Science
  • Computer Science
  • Applied Computer Science
  • Seminar in Green Science and Engineering 1A
  • Seminar in Green Science and Engineering 1B
  • Seminar in Green Science and Engineering 2A
  • Seminar in Green Science and Engineering 2B

Compulsory Subjects for Doctoral Program

  • Doctoral Dissertation Tutorial and Exercise 3A
  • Doctoral Dissertation Tutorial and Exercise 3B
  • Doctoral Dissertation Tutorial and Exercise 4A
  • Doctoral Dissertation Tutorial and Exercise 4B
  • Doctoral Dissertation Tutorial and Exercise 5A
  • Doctoral Dissertation Tutorial and Exercise 5B

Some of the Course Descriptions of the Subjects for the Master’s Program

Prof. Tad GONSALVES

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is hitting the newspaper headlines every day. What is it that is making this discipline so successful and popular? We will investigate some of the most fascinating aspects of AI in this course. The syllabus is based on the textbook, Artificial Intelligence: A non-Technical Introduction, published by Sophia University Press, 2016.

The course will cover some of the prominent topics in AI such as Expert Systems, Fuzzy Logic, Machine Learning, Evolutionary Algorithms, Swarm intelligence, Game playing, Game of Life, etc. The course will also look into the philosophical and ethical issues raised by the development of AI.

Prof. Maki NAKASUJI

Differential Equations for Natural Phenomena

We will be developing mathematical models which lead to differential equations. The problem in the real world may be to explain some observed data, or make some predictions, or take a decision. To achieve this we translate the real problem into a mathematical one by making a number of simplifying assumptions. The assumptions and relationships constitute the mathematical model, and generally lead to a mathematical problem of some sort, which is solved for the relevant variables using appropriate mathematical techniques.

Prof. Satoshi HORIKOSHI

Environmental Chemistry

The course provides an introduction to environmental engineering with a focus on technical methods to reduce the pollution of the environment. Basic knowledge of chemistry, physics and mathematics is required. Active participation of the students is expected.

The subjects for environmental chemistry are distributed during class. Each student presents on that with PowerPoint. The contents and the presentation ability are involved.

Assistant Prof. Weilu ZHANG

Introduction to Superconductivity

Zero resistance and zero energy loss in electric power transmission, negligible friction in the mag-lev bullet train–those technologies are essential to solve environmental issues in the world, and the science that makes it happen is superconductivity.

This course aims to provide basic knowledge of superconductivity and low temperature technique to a broad audience interested in this subject. The topics cover the physical properties and theoretical models of superconductivity, the superconducting materials, the applications and the impacts of high-Tc superconductors on electrical engineering and environmental science, and an introduction of the experimental research methods in this area.

Degrees

The folowing degrees will be awarded after the completion of each program. They are all accredited by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

  • Master’s program: MASTER OF SCIENCE IN GREEN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
  • Doctoral program: DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN GREEN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Policy of Education

Master’s Program

Green Science and Engineering Division (Master’s Program) aims to foster human resources who can contribute to the further development of Global Environmental Sciences, Engineering and associated disciplines and use their expertise to contribute to the development of human society and global environmental conservation. With a view to

this aim, the program sets standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduation as described below. Those who have fulfilled the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will be awarded a diploma.

 

  1. The ability to multidimensionally identify how technology can impact human society and the global environment, acquired by studying a wide range of disciplines, including natural science disciplines beyond one’s disciplinary specialty or interdisciplinary fields covering the social sciences.
  2. Acquisition of expertise that will lead to leadership in cutting-edge research and development in Global Environmental Sciences, Engineering and associated disciplines, and the ability to develop new technologies and explore new fields.
  3. In order to accommodate globalization, a level of English proficiency that enables high social performance as well as the ability to understand connections with local communities and society.
  4. The competency to clearly understand the positioning of one’s own research in light of prior researches, analyze the research findings with the right methodologies, and write academic papers and a master’s thesis that objectively describe the value of the research findings.

Doctoral Program

The Green Science and Engineering Division (Doctoral Program) aims to foster human resources who have acquired high expertise in Global Environmental Sciences and Engineering as well as interdisciplinary abilities that enables the identification of impacts on human society and the global environment in a comprehensive manner and who can

independently carry out research and development. With a view to this aim, the program sets standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduation as described below. Those who have fulfilled the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will be awarded a diploma.

 

  1. The ability to multidimensionally identify how technology can affect human society and the global environment, acquired by studying not only one’s disciplinary specialty, but also a wide range of disciplines, including associated interdisciplinary fields.
  2. The acquisition of expertise to independently lead Global Environmental Sciences, engineering and associated disciplines and the ability to engage in creative research and development that will contribute to human development and wellbeing.
  3. Research capabilities and communication skills of a level capable of leading globalization and independently playing an active role in international society.
  4. The competency to clearly understand the positioning of one’s own research in light of prior researches, analyze the research findings with the right methodologies, and write academic papers and a doctoral thesis that objectively describe the value of the research findings.

Master’s Program

The Green Science and Engineering Division (Master’s Program) seeks to cultivate the ability to contribute to the further development of global environmental sciences, engineering and associated disciplines, as well as to the development of human society and global environment conservation, by having students take courses in Green Science, Green Engineering and other divisions and receive research guidance.

 

  1. Students will take courses in divisions other than Green Science and Green Engineering as well as general science and engineering courses to acquire broad knowledge of disciplines other than their disciplinary specialty.
  2. Students will take courses offered by the Green Science and Green Engineering Divisions to acquire expertise in these disciplines. Furthermore, they will conduct research on a specific theme; and therefore acquire profound professional knowledge of their theme in a broad context and learn about research procedures, organization and ethics.
  3. All courses will be offered in English and students will improve their scientific English proficiency through presentation of their research and submission to academic journals.

Doctoral Program

The Green Science and Engineering Division (Doctoral Program) seeks to cultivate the ability to conduct research independently based on high expertise in global environmental sciences and engineering and broad knowledge of associated disciplines, by having students take Seminars and receive research guidance.

 

  1. Students will read academic papers and commentaries in interdisciplinary fields other than global environmental science and engineering to acquire broad knowledge of these disciplines.
  2. Students will conduct intensive research supported by research guidance provided by faculty; and therefore acquire profound professional knowledge of their theme in a broad context, learn about research procedures, organization and ethics, and submit their dissertation as a culmination of their research.
  3. Students will present their research outcomes in Japan and overseas in English, compile and submit academic papers in English, and conduct research at overseas institutions as required; and therefore, they will actively improve their communication skills.

Master’s Program

The Green Science and Engineering Division (Master’s Program) seeks students with the following qualities:

 

  1. Students who have studied the field of Global Environmental Science and Engineering and are motivated to perform research
  2. Students who possess the standard academic skills associated with Science and Engineering in general that are required to study Global Environmental Science and Engineering and pursue research in the field

Doctoral Program

The Green Science and Engineering Division (Doctoral Program) seeks students with the following qualities:

 

  1. Students who are motivated to independently pursue creative research and development in the field of Global Environmental Science and Technology
  2. Students with the expertise and English skills required to independently pursue creative research and development in the field of Environmental Science and Technology

Faculty Members

The thesis research supervisor can be chosen from all faculty members of the graduate program in science and technology. Information about the disciplinary specialties and research interests of faculty members are available on the Graduate Program in Science and Technology website.

Sophia University

For Others, With Others