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2. About
3. Educational Policies "YNU initiative"
4. Curriculum Policy
5. Department of Chemistry and Life Science (Doctoral Program)

Educational system and curriculum framework

Policy for curriculum development

The following three programs are offered to build the capacities of students to find ways to create and manufacture advanced substances and materials; to conduct advanced research and development in energy chemistry and biological life science; to solve unknown problems by making flexible and comprehensive judgements based on broad perspectives; to integrate basic knowledge in the formation of applied technologies, and to pioneer new industries.

The TED Program for Doctor of Engineering degrees primarily cultivates applied skills in chemistry and life science through engineering courses with research guidance courses on engineering studies at the core.

The PED Program for Doctor of Engineering degrees primarily cultivates highly practical skills in chemistry and life science through studio activities in research guidance courses and the corresponding module courses.

The PSD Program for Doctor of Science degrees primarily cultivates advanced academic and applied skills in chemistry and life science built upon studies focused on science courses with research guidance courses on science studies at the core

TED Program: Doctor of Engineering degree

• Each student conducts doctoral studies with an emphasis on courses related to the student's discipline.
• Students complete advanced exercises related to their disciplines as research guidance courses.

First year

• Each student prepares an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor.
• Students complete lecture courses with an emphasis on courses related to their disciplines.

Second year

• Each student prepares an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor.
• Students complete Advanced Exercise in Chemistry (TED) as a required exercise course.

Third year

• Each student prepares an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor.
• Students complete Advanced Study in Chemistry (TED), among other courses.

Policy for research guidance planning

• Students should be guided to synthesize what they learn through their doctoral studies to build up their skills for conducting advanced applied research in chemistry and life science.
• Students must work out their annual research plans under the guidance of their academic advisors and properly manage their research progress.
• Students' academic advisors provide research guidance through seminars and exercises according to students' selected disciplines.
• Each year, students must present their research plans and deliver midterm presentations on their research findings while enhancing their presentation and debating skills.
• Students must prepare their doctoral theses under the guidance of their academic advisors while enhancing their writing skills.
• Students are strongly encouraged to take part in international conferences and overseas internships during their studies under the program.

PED Program: Doctor of Engineering degree

• Each student conducts doctoral studies with an emphasis on courses related to the student's discipline.
• Each module corresponds to a studio course and the group of courses constituting to the module.

First year

• Each student prepares an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor and module managers.
• Students complete studio courses and other courses with an emphasis on those constituting modules and that are related to their disciplines.

Second year

• Each student prepares an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor and module managers.
• Students complete studio courses and other courses with an emphasis on those constituting modules and that are related to their disciplines.

Third year

• Each student prepares an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor and module managers.
• Students complete studio courses and other courses with an emphasis on those constituting modules and that are related to their disciplines.

Policy for research guidance planning

• Students should be guided to synthesize what they learn through their studio activities and the process for preparing studio deliverables to build up their practical skills for conducting advanced research in chemistry and life science.
• Students must work out their study agendas and implementation plans under the guidance of their academic advisors and studio instructors in order to properly manage the progress of their studio activities and preparation of studio deliverables./li>
• As students engage in studio activities and prepare their studio deliverables, their academic advisors and studio instructors provide necessary research guidance.
• Each year, students must present their plans for implementing their studio agendas and deliver midterm presentations on their deliverables while enhancing their presentation and debating skills.
• Students compile doctoral theses under the guidance of their academic advisors and studio instructors while enhancing their writing skills.
• Students are strongly encouraged to take part in international conferences and overseas internships during their studies under the program.

PSD Program: Doctor of Science degree

• Each student conducts doctoral studies with an emphasis on courses related to the student's discipline.
• Students complete advanced exercises related to their disciplines as research guidance courses.

First year

• Each student prepares an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor.
• Students complete lecture courses with an emphasis on courses related to their disciplines.

Second year

• Each student prepares an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor.
• Students complete Advanced Exercise in Chemistry (PSD) as a required exercise course.

Third year

• Each student prepares an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor.
• Students complete Advanced Study in Chemistry (PSD), among other courses.

Policy for research guidance planning

• Students should be guided to synthesize what they learn through their doctoral studies to build up their advanced academic and applied skills in chemistry and life science.
• Students must work out their annual research plans under the guidance of their academic advisors and properly manage their research progress.
• Students' academic advisors provide research guidance through seminars and exercises according to students' selected disciplines.
• Each year, students must present their research plans and deliver midterm presentations on their research findings while enhancing their presentation and debating skills.
• Students must prepare their master's theses under the guidance of their academic advisors while enhancing their writing skills.
• Students are strongly encouraged to take part in international conferences and overseas internships during their studies under the program.

Curriculum and grading criteria

Curriculum policy

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

• Build up the capacity to find ways to create and manufacture advanced substances and materials as well as to conduct advanced research and development in energy chemistry and biological life science.
• Build up the capacity to solve unknown problems by making flexible and comprehensive judgements based on broad perspectives.
• Build up the capacity to integrate basic knowledge in the formation of applied technologies and to pioneer new industries.

Exceptions for education

The department grants the following exceptions for 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 doctoral program (three years).
• Unlike other students, students with an extended enrollment status may complete their studies with tuition that corresponds to the standard duration for completing the doctoral program (three years), 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.

Policy for study guidance offered from admission to completion of program

Study guidance policy

Adequate study guidance in the department is provided at the school-wide, department-wide, and individual program levels as follows based on the various needs of students and the effectiveness of the relevant assistance.

TED Program: Doctor of Engineering and PSD Program: Doctor of Science

Study guidance and research guidance are provided from the moment of admission until completion of each program as described in the following example of studies pursued over the standard period.

First year

• Assignment of an academic advisor to each student and research topic determination
• Development of an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the academic advisor
• Development of an annual research plan under the guidance of the academic advisor
• Completion of courses
• Research guidance by the academic supervisor through seminars and exercises according to the student's selected discipline
• Conducting of research
• Midterm presentation on the research plan and findings

Second year

• Development of an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the academic advisor
• Development of an annual research plan under the guidance of the academic advisor
• Completion of courses
• Research guidance by the academic advisor (e.g., for advanced exercises related to the student's discipline)
• Conducting of research
• Midterm presentation on the research plan and findings

Third year

• Development of an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the academic advisor
• Development of an annual research plan under the guidance of the academic advisor
• Completion of courses
• Research guidance by the academic advisor (e.g., for advanced exercises related to the student's discipline)
• Conducting of research
• Midterm presentation on the research plan and findings
• Preparation of the doctoral thesis under the guidance of the academic advisor

Program completion

• Confirmation that a sufficient number of credits were earned
• Submission of the doctoral thesis
• Setting up of a review committee for the doctoral thesis
• Thesis review and final examinations to assess academic performance
• Approval of program completion by the faculty council (board of representatives) of the graduate school
• Awarding of a doctoral degree

PED Program: Doctor of Engineering degree

Study guidance and research guidance are provided from the moment of admission until completion of Master of Engineering degrees under the PED Program as described in the following example of studies pursued over the standard period.

First year

• Assignment of an academic advisor to each student and specialized module
• Development of an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the academic advisor and the module manager
• Preparation of a study agenda and implementation plans under the guidance of the academic advisor and studio instructors
• Completion of courses
• Research guidance by the academic advisor and studio instructors
• Presentation of the studio agenda and activity plan, and midterm presentation session
• Preparation and submission of studio deliverables

Second year

• Assignment of an academic advisor to each student and specialized module determination
• Development of an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the academic advisor and the module manager
• Preparation of a study agenda and implementation plans under the guidance of the academic advisor and studio instructors
• Completion of courses
• Research guidance by the academic advisor and studio instructors
• Presentation of the studio agenda and activity plan, and midterm presentation session
• Preparation and submission of studio deliverables

Third year

• Assignment of an academic advisor to each student and specialized module determination
• Development of an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the academic advisor and the module manager
• Preparation of a study agenda and implementation plans under the guidance of the academic advisor and studio instructors
• Completion of courses
• Research guidance by the academic advisor and studio instructors
• Presentation of the studio agenda and activity plan, and midterm presentation session
• Preparation and submission of studio deliverables/li>
• Preparation of the doctoral thesis under the guidance of the academic advisor

Program completion

• Confirmation that a sufficient number of credits were earned
• Submission of the doctoral thesis
• Setting up of a review committee for the doctoral thesis
• Thesis review and final examinations to assess academic performance
• Approval of program completion by the faculty council (board of representatives) of the graduate school
• Awarding of a doctoral degree

Extended enrollment

Students with professional duties or other special circumstances may be granted extended enrollment status after application to enable them to complete their studies planned over a certain period beyond the standard duration for completing the doctoral program (three years).