Curriculum Policy

Master's program

Coursework for master's programs at the graduate school is organized into the school-wide core courses, department-wide major courses, and specialized courses. Research guidance is systematically planned and structured by the school, department, and each education program.
The curriculum is developed so that students acquire expertise and advanced skills in one's major field of study and build a solid foundation in related fields.
Courses are grouped into those intended for the information course group, science course group, engineering course group, and professional course group, and these courses are distributed across students' years in the program.

Doctoral program

Coursework for doctoral programs at the graduate school is organized at the school-wide, department-wide, and individual program levels.

Curriculum policy

The curriculum of the graduate school is implemented at the school-wide, department-wide, and individual program levels in accordance with the curriculum organization policy, while realizing globally competitive and quality-assured graduate education.

Exceptions for education

The graduate school grants the following exceptions for master's or doctoral studies pursued by working professionals and other students with special needs—for instance, regarding classes and research guidance provided in the evening or at other times, or during other periods.

• Students may be granted an extended enrollment status in consideration of their professional duties or other special circumstances to complete their studies planned over a certain period beyond the standard duration for completing the program (two years for master's program and three years for doctoral program).
• Unlike other students, students with an extended enrollment status may complete their studies with tuition that corresponds to the standard duration for completing the program (two years for master's program and three years for doctoral program), regardless of the actual duration of their studies.
• Applications for extended enrollment status may be filed by successful candidates from the special screening for professionals who remain in service after admission.

Grading standards

A range of factors are taken into account in determining grades for courses using the grading methods stated in the Web Syllabus. University-wide grading standards apply based on the university's course designing and grading guideline. Grades are expressed in terms of five levels— S, A, B, C, and F—and grade points (GP) are awarded for grades achieved in each course. However, where it is difficult to express grades in terms of five levels, course grades are expressed as Pass or Fail and GP are not awarded.
As part of its grading standards, course rubrics are prepared as indicators for assessing learning outcomes; these clearly indicate in matrix format the content to be studied and the levels to be attained by students.

1. The advanced goal indicates all content covered in the course (the aims of the course). Mastering more advanced content requires independent study; if the advanced goal is exceeded, an S grade is awarded.
2. The standard goal indicates the minimum content to be mastered by students taking a course; if the standard goal is attained, a C grade is awarded, indicating a level of attainment requiring further study.