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  5. Department of Chemistry and Life Science (Master's Program)

Department of Chemistry and Life Science (Master's Program)

  1. Educational system and curriculum framework
  2. Curriculum and grading criteria
  3. Policy for study guidance offered from admission to completion of program

Educational system and curriculum framework

Policy for curriculum development

Coursework for master's programs at the department 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 master's 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 information course group, science course group, engineering course group, and professional course group, and these courses are distributed across students' years in the program.

The department welcomes students in acquiring a foundation in inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, energy chemistry, and other fields of chemistry for providing substances and materials as well as materials engineering, chemical engineering, biological engineering, biochemistry, and other fields. In addition, the following three programs are designed to cultivate capabilities for developing substances, materials, and production processes or for engaging in research and development in the field of biological life science; skills for applying relevant foundational knowledge comprehensively; and the capacity for making sound judgments from a broad perspective on how outputs affect nature and people's associated responsibilities to society.

The TED Program (Master of Engineering degree) primarily cultivates applied skills in chemistry and life science through department-wide core courses, in addition to specialized courses and research guidance that emphasize engineering studies.

The PED Program (Master of Engineering degree) cultivates practical skills in chemistry and life science through specialized modules and others, in addition to studio activities that emphasize engineering studies.

The PSD Program (Master of Science degree) cultivates academic and applied skills in chemistry and life science through department-wide core courses, in addition to specialized courses and research guidance that emphasize science studies.

TED Program: Master's degree

First year
  • Each student develops an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor.
  • As compulsory elective courses, students complete either the pair of Exercise in Chemistry S and Exercise in Chemistry F or the pair of Seminar A in Chemistry Applications and Life Science and Seminar B in Chemistry Applications and Life Science.
  • Students complete the school-wide core courses and department-wide major courses in addition to a well-rounded selection of courses from among the information course group, science course group, engineering course group, and professional course group.
Second year
  • Students develop their own annual course registration plans under the guidance of their academic advisors.
  • As compulsory elective courses, students complete either: the pair of Exercise in Chemistry S (TED) and Exercise in Chemistry F (TED); the pair of Seminar C in Chemistry Applications and Life Science and Seminar D in Chemistry Applications and Life Science; the pair of Seminar AS in Energy Chemistry and Seminar AS in Energy Chemistry; or the pair of Seminar BS in Energy Chemistry and Seminar BF in Energy Chemistry.
  • Students who complete the pair of Exercise in Chemistry S (TED) and Exercise in Chemistry F (TED) or the pair of Seminar BS in Energy Chemistry and Seminar BF in Energy Chemistry must also complete the Exercise for Effective Presentation in Chemistry (TED) as a required course.
  • In addition to completing the department-wide major courses, students in the program are expected to complete courses with a focus on those offered in the engineering course group, which must be supplemented in a well-rounded manner by courses offered in the science course group and others.
Policy for research guidance planning

PED Program: Master of Engineering degree

First year
  • Each student develops an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor and module manager.
  • Students complete studio courses and a well-rounded selection of courses from among the school-wide core courses and module courses in the information course group, science course group, engineering course group, and professional course group.
Second year
  • Each student develops an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor and module manager.
  • In addition to completing the studio courses, students are expected to complete module courses with a focus on those offered in the engineering course group, which must be supplemented in a well-rounded manner by courses offered in the science course group and others.
Policy for research guidance planning

PSD Program: Master of Science degree

First year
  • Each student develops an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor.
  • As required courses, students complete Exercise in Chemistry S and Exercise in Chemistry F.
  • Students complete the school-wide core courses and department-wide major courses in addition to a well-rounded selection of courses from among the information course group, science course group, engineering course group, and professional course group.
Second year
  • Each student develops an annual course registration plan under the guidance of the student's academic advisor.
  • As required courses, students complete Exercise in Chemistry S (PSD), Exercise in Chemistry F (PSD), and Exercise for Effective Presentation in Chemistry (PSD).
  • In addition to completing department-wide core courses and specialized courses, students are expected to complete a well-rounded selection of courses offered in the engineering course group and others.
Policy for research guidance planning

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.

Exceptions for education

The graduate school grants the following exceptions for master's 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.

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.

Grades Grading standards GP Scores
S Level exceeding advanced goal attained 4.5 100-90
A Advanced goal attained 4.0 89-80
B Level between standard goal and advanced goal attained 3.0 79-70
C Standard goal attained 2.0 69-60
F Standard goal not attained 0 59-0
Grading standards
  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.

Policy for study guidance

TED Program: Master of Engineering degree, and PSD Program: Master of Science degree

Study guidance and research guidance are provided from the moment of admission until completion of Master of Engineering degrees under the TED Program and Master of Science degrees under the PSD 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 supervisor through seminars and exercises according to the student's selected discipline
  • Conducting of research
  • Midterm presentation on the research plan and findings
  • Preparation of the master's thesis under the guidance of the academic advisor
Program completion

PED Program: Master 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 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
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
Program completion

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 master's program (two years).