The University of Aizu

Curriculum Guide

01.

Course of Study

02.

Registration Guide

03.

Teacher Certification Program

01. Course of Study

Developments in the wide range of the field of computer science and engineering have increased the requirements of society beyond the customary classifications of software and hardware.  The curriculum of the Graduate School is based on a new approach that responds to these social requirements.
The Master's Program provides students with several different course groups as described in items 1. to 5. below.
The Doctoral Program does not set course assignments for students.  This enables students to concentrate on guidance from their research advisors regarding their theses, etc. during the enrollment period.

1. Conversion courses

These courses are basic to studies related to computer science and engineering.
It is desirable for students who have not completed subjects equivalent to the conversion courses before entering the University (because they have majors other than computer science and engineering, etc.) to have completed all unfinished conversion courses in the first year, if possible. Conversion courses must be chosen under the guidance of a research advisor.
If a student has not completed courses equivalent to these conversion courses before entering the Graduate School, credits for such courses can be accepted as credits for prerequisite regular courses, to a maximum of 4 credits. However, students from the University of Aizu School of Computer Science and Engineering are not, in principle, eligible for recognition of conversion course credits as regular course credits. With regard to students from universities other than the University of Aizu, recognition of conversion course credits as regular course credits shall not be, in principle, accepted if conversion courses they apply to attend are not related to their research at the Graduate School.

2. Regular courses

A varied selection of regular courses, including high-level and advanced studies, has been prepared to meet the goals of each field of study.
When selecting courses, students are expected to consider the objectives of his or her studies and plans for the future. It is important that students do not limit themselves to a particular field, but choose well-balanced courses that offer an expanded range of studies.
Students affiliated with the Graduate Department of Computer and Information Systems must obtain at least 16 credits to complete the program and, in principle, and at least 8 credits must be earned from their fields of study. With regard to students affiliated with the Graduate Department of Information Technologies and Project Management, students must obtain at least 22 credits.

3. Seminars

The Graduate School requires students to acquire higher knowledge and to foster their creativity and ability to identify and solve problems through positive and self-directed learning. Toward this end, the School offers seminars for students to supplement their own voluntary studies through exposure to diverse points of view, and at the same time to study with a wider perspective, not limited solely to their field of study.

The Graduate Department of Computer and Information Systems

Students affiliated with the Graduate Department of Computer and Information Systems must earn at least 8 credits, including 6 credits for required courses, 4 credits from Research Seminars I and II (2 credits each), and 2 credits from Research Plan Seminar, and 2 credits from one of Creative Factory Seminars I to VIII, and 2 credits from either of Research Progress Report Seminar and Outside Presentation Seminar.
Students whose eligibility for early completion of the Master's Program has been authorized shall register for Special Research Seminars I and II instead of Research Seminars I and II (year-round courses). However, should those students be unable to complete the Master's Program in a period of time shorter than the academic residence requirement period, registration for Special Research Seminars I and II shall be nullified and changed back to Research Seminars I and II respectively.  Applicants for early completion of the Master's Program in their first-year enrollment in the Master's Program who cannot submit a document verifying their "outstanding achievements" by the designated date and wish to request early completion a half year later than the original request, will be required to make another application for early completion of the Program. Students other than those applicants mentioned above shall register for Research Seminar II.

→ Seminar Courses of the Graduate Department of Computer and Information Systems

The Graduate Department of Information Technologies and Project Management

Students affiliated with the Graduate Department of Information Technologies and Project Management must earn a total of at least 8 credits, including 5 credits for required courses, 3 credits from Research Seminars/Conferences and 2 credits from Tea Seminars/Contests, and at least 3 credits from Creative Factory Seminars I to VIII and Educational Seminars.

→ Seminar Courses of the Graduate Department of Information Technologies and Project Management (IT Specialist Program)

Interim Measures (students admitted in and before AY 2009)

Following of the partial revision of the "Graduate School Regulation on the Completion of University of Aizu Graduate School Studies" as of April 1, 2010, students admitted in and before AY 2009 shall take seminars corresponding to the old curriculum of their admission year.
Students affiliated with the Graduate Department of Computer and Information Systems must earn 4 credits from one of the Creative Factory Seminars I to VIII, and 4 credits from one of the Research Seminars I to VII (Special Research Seminars I to VII). With regard to Special Research Seminars I to VII, students whose early completion of the Master's Program has been authorized shall register for one seminar from "Special Research Seminar I to Special Research Seminar VII" instead of "Research Seminar I to Research Seminar VII" as courses throughout a year. However, should those students be unable to complete the Master's Program in a period of time shorter than the academic residence requirement period, registration for Special Research Seminars shall be nullified.
Applicants for early completion of the Master's Program in their first-year enrollment in the Master's Program who cannot submit a document verifying their "outstanding achievements" by the designated date and wish to request early completion a half year later than the original request, will be required to make another application for early completion of the Program. Students other than those applicants mentioned above shall register for Research Seminars. Applicants for early completion of the Master's Program in their second-year enrollment in the Master's Program who cannot submit a document verifying their "outstanding achievements" by the designated date, will be required to shift registration for "Special Research Seminars" to "Research Seminars" in the second year. The period of time they spent attending Special Research Seminars shall be included in the period of time for Research Seminars that they are required to complete.
Students affiliated with the Graduate Department of Information Technologies and Project Management must earn a total of at least 8 credits: 1) 3 credits from Research Seminars/Conferences, 2) 2 credits from Tea Seminars/Contests and 3) 4 credits for one course from the Creative Factory Seminar I through VIII or 3 credits from the Educational Seminars.

4. Thesis Research Course

This is a required course for students affiliated with the Graduate Department of Computer and Information Systems. In taking the course, guidance from relevant research advisors on the writing of the thesis, etc. should be taken into consideration.

5. Software Development Arena

Students affiliated with the Graduate Department of Information Technologies and Project Management must obtain 20 units of academic credits from Software Development Arena I to IV.

02. Registration Guide

1. Master's Program (The Graduate Department of Computer and Information Systems)

1.

The Graduate School has adopted the quarter system. The first quarter extends from April to June; the second, from July to September; the third, from October to December; and the fourth, from January to March. Regular courses are offered mainly in the first, third, and fourth quarters. Since credits are awarded at the end of each quarter, students are required to concentrate on their studies over a short term. During the second quarter, 4 conversion courses, as well as Creative Factory Seminars and several intensive courses are given.

2.

On entering the School, each student will be assigned to the laboratory of a faculty member associated with his or her field of study. At the same time, each student will be assigned to an advisor.

3.

The Master's Program assigns two advisors; a research advisor and a curriculum advisor to each student. In the first year, the research advisor provides guidance and advice on curriculum selection to students who have already chosen the theme of their theses. In the second year, the research advisor guides these students primarily on thesis writing.
Curriculum advisors shall give the students other than the ones mentioned above guidance and advice on course registration only during their first academic year. Research advisors shall be assigned to students before the fourth quarter of the first academic year starts, even though they have been assigned to curriculum advisors.

4.

To enroll in a course, students should use the Academic Administration System of the University of Aizu to input the necessary information, and pay attention to Articles 5 and 6 of the Graduate School Regulation on the Completion of University of Aizu Graduate School Studies.

5.

Students must obtain at least 30 credits: 6 credits from 1 required thesis research course, at least 16 credits from regular courses, (however, those who have been advised to take conversion courses can add the credits of these courses to the credits of regular courses, limited to a maximum of 4 credits, upon approval by the Graduate School Academic Affairs Committee), and at least 8 credits from seminars.

6.

To complete the Master's Program, a student must remain enrolled in the school for at least 2 years and obtain at least 30 credits during that period. Another requirement is that students must complete the Master's Program within 6 years. Students who are recognized by the Graduate School Faculty Assembly as having achieved excellent progress may complete the Master's Program after having studied at the school for at least one year.

7.

When a student expects to meet all the requirements for completion of the Master's Program and is planning to have his/her Master's thesis reviewed, the student must submit the theme of his or her thesis to the Dean of the Graduate School after having obtained the approval of his or her research advisor. The student must then submit an application for the thesis review. Once approved by the research advisor, the thesis must be submitted to the President of the University by a specified date.

8.

With regard to registration for courses, there is no upper limit in the number of courses that one student can register for. In addition, based upon consultation by the University President with other graduate schools, the University President may recognize up to 10 units of academic credit earned by students having completed course work at the respective graduate schools, as academic credit earned by those students at the Master's Program of the University, provided that doing so is recognized by the University President as educationally beneficial, upon approval by the relevant committee.

2. Master's Program (The Graduate Department of Information Technologies and Project Management)

1.

The Graduate School has adopted the quarter system. The first quarter extends from April to June; the second, from July to September; the third, from October to December; and the fourth, from January to March. Regular courses are offered mainly in the first, third, and fourth quarters. Since credits are awarded at the end of each quarter, students are required to concentrate on their studies over a short term. During the second quarter, 4 conversion courses, as well as Creative Factory Seminars and several intensive courses are given.

2.

On entering the School, three to four students will first form one project team, and then select one project per team. A project team will be assigned to faculty members who are in charge of the projects selected by students.

3.

To enroll in a course, students should use the Academic Administration System of the University of Aizu to input the necessary information, and pay attention to Articles 5 and 6 of the Graduate School Regulation on the Completion of University of Aizu Graduate School Studies.

4.

Students must obtain at least 50 credits: at least 22 credits from regular courses, (however, those who have been advised to take conversion courses can add the credits of these courses to the credits of regular courses, limited to a maximum of 4 credits, upon approval by the Graduate School Academic Affairs Committee), at least 8 credits from seminars, and 20 credits from 4 courses of Software Development Arena.

5.

To complete the Master's Program, a student must remain enrolled in the school for at least 2 years and obtain at least 50 credits during that period. Another requirement is that students must complete the Master's Program within 6 years. Students who are recognized by the Graduate School Faculty Assembly as having achieved excellent progress may complete the Master's Program after having studied at the school for at least one year.

6.

A student must submit the Special Theme of his/her research to the Dean of the Graduate School upon approval of his/her research advisor.
Once approved by the research advisor, the Research Achievements from Specific Theme must be submitted to the President of the University by a specified date.

7.

With regard to registration for courses, there is no upper limit in the number of courses that one student can register for. In addition, based upon consultation by the University President with other graduate schools, the University President may recognize up to 10 units of academic credit earned by students having completed course work at the respective graduate schools, as academic credit earned by those students at the Master's Program of the University, provided that doing so is recognized by the University President as educationally beneficial, upon approval by the relevant committee.

3. Doctoral Program

1.

Each student will be assigned to a research advisor, and a sub research advisor if necessary. In principle, the student cannot change his/her research advisor during the enrollment period.

2.

Students shall receive guidance from research advisors on thesis writing, etc. during the enrollment period. Guidance shall be given through "Special Research" and a "Special Seminar." Regarding Special Research, students shall decide on research themes and draw an implementation plan for research. Regarding Special Seminars, students shall decide on the schedule for studying literature, etc. concerning the research, following the advice of research advisors. Also, students can participate in special training programs (internship programs) or in a Creative Factory (system of multiple advisors) as another option of receiving guidance.

3.

Students shall register a research theme, plans of Special Research and Special Seminar when entering the School.

4.

In the second year of the Doctoral Program, students must set up a progress report presentation meeting to report on the progress made on studies, research, etc. during the previous year. Students must organize these meetings.

5.

When students are planning to have their doctoral theses reviewed, students must submit the theme of the thesis to the Dean of the Graduate School after having obtained the approval of their research advisors. Students must then submit an application for thesis review. Once approved by the research advisor, the thesis must be submitted to the President of the University by a specified date.

→ Procedures for Advising Students of the Doctoral Program (Internal Access)

03. Teacher Certification Program

1. Types of teaching certificates

Mathematics course	Specialized certificate for teaching in junior high school (Mathematics)	SCfTiJHS(M)
	Specialized certificate for teaching in high school (Mathematics)	SCfTiHS(M)
Information course	Specialized certificate for teaching in high school (Information)	SCfTiHS(I)

2. Qualifications for obtaining specialized certificates

1.

Acquisition of academic credits required to obtain a class 1 teaching certificate of the relevant certificate type

2.

Acquisition of 24 academic credits in "Courses concerning subjects in or related to the teaching profession"

3.

Possession of a Master's degree

3. Courses to be taken

In order to obtain specialized certificates, it is necessary to earn prescribed academic credits in "Courses concerning subjects in or related to the teaching profession" as described below. In addition, regarding courses to be taken, please refer to Attached Table No. 3 of the University Regulation on the Completion of University of Aizu Studies.

	Specialized certificates for teaching in junior high school	Specialized certificates for teaching in high school
Courses concerning subjects in or related to the teaching profession	24 credits	24 credits

As "Courses related to the teaching profession" are not offered at the Graduate School, the prescribed academic credits must be earned in "Courses concerning subjects in the teaching profession."
The subject for the "Courses concerning subjects in the teaching profession" to be completed at the Master's Program must be the same as the subject completed for class 1 teaching certificate at the Undergraduate School.