The University of Aizu

Takao Maeda,
Senior Associate Professor 

Mathematics and Related Courses
Students sometimes ask me, “Why do we have to learn mathematics though we entered the University of Aizu to study computer?”  “As students majoring in computer science and engineering, I expect you to acquire a mathematical way of thinking (or logical thinking), rather than increase mathematical knowledge, through mathematics courses”, I reply to them.
When you write a small-size program, regardless of quality, which can be used, you don’t need much of mathematical way of thinking. However, if you write a program consisting of tens of thousands of lines for a large-scale system as a collection of such small-size programs, you will face a fatal problem. Correcting an error causes another error. This kind of thing happens everywhere in the program and you will not be able to complete the program.
As shown in the example above, mathematical way of thinking or logical thinking is indispensable for computer program development. Many people recognize that it is also crucially important for conducting research and/or carry out development activities. Therefore, I hope students majoring in computer science and engineering learn mathematics seriously.
Basic learning cycle of the university is attending a lecture, taking notes and doing a review. In addition to this cycle, thinking on your own is important. When taking mathematics courses at the University of Aizu, you are encouraged to put your best effort in doing exercises. When doing exercises, think on your own about what you learned in the class.
Solving problems given in exercise using textbook, hand-outs and the notes you took, you can understand what was taught in the class. You may find you do not understand theories well, or the problems are too difficult to solve. When you cannot solve a problem, try to solve it by copying an example answer. Repeating this process, you might experience a moment of sudden understanding of what you did not understand before.
I think this sudden understanding is caused by rewiring in the brain. The more you experience a moment of this sudden understanding, the more you will be able to enjoy mathematics. I am confident that young people who can enjoy mathematics will solve current problems creatively and open up new horizons for Computer Science and Engineering. 

• Mathematics and Related Courses
• Linear Algebra I
• Linear Algebra II
• Calculus I
• Calculus II
• Fourier Analysis
• Complex Analysis
• Probability and Statistic
• Applied Algebra
• Mathematical Logic
• Introduction to Topology
• Applied Geo. and Top.
• Computational Geometry

Natural Sciencesand Related Courses
I teach courses related to physics from among courses for natural sciences.
Physics is an academic discipline, where people explore principles and laws from a number of phenomena which apparently look quite different, such as motion of objects and/or planets, electromagnetic phenomena, and predict motion and phenomena in the future.  Imagine how much surprised Newton was when he found out that a force acting on a dropping apple and a force acting on yearly round of the earth is the same. It is also possible to determine that the earth is 13.7 billion years of old based on radio waves floating in outer space. Students can organize complicated phenomena and study methods of thinking in the world of physics, which is creative and full of imagination. Physics is not directly connected to what students need for selecting types of business for which they are to be employed in the future. However, I am sure that it will be a great strength when students have to tackle various problems involving computers in the future.
Some students have a tendency to stay away from studying physics because they think it is difficult. However, we, the faculty at the University of Aizu are ready to attract and accept students who have not studied physics at high school by offering sufficient time of computer exercises for experiencing physical phenomena and leading to understanding of basics of methods of thinking in physics, so that they can get interested in studying physics. We have great expectations for many students to join the physics courses.

• Natural Sciences and Related Courses
• Dynamics
• Electromagnetism
• Quantum Mechanics
• Semiconductor Devices
• Thermodyn. and Stat. Mech
• Introduction to Optoelectronics

Computer Literacyand Related Courses
Courses related to computer literacy are offered at the University of Aizu, in order for students to attain knowledge and skills essential for studying computer science and engineering. These courses are designed for paving the way for specialized courses, by introducing the entire structure and flow of the curriculum and inviting graduates and prominent experts who are playing a leading role in various fields, so that students can understand the framework and placement of computer science and engineering. Students do not have to worry about not having touched computers or written programs. It is enough that students have preference in computer without detailed knowledge, as it is often said “we tend to be good at those things we like.” Starting from scratch, students will be able to understand what they are learning. At the University of Aizu, students will use workstations with UNIX, not Windows and/or Mac which are familiar to any students. Almost all students will start at rock bottom after admission to the University, so they will get more and more interested in studying using workstations, if only students are to ask questions frequently to clarify what they do not understand at an early juncture.

• Computer Fundamentals and Related Courses
• Literacy I
• Literacy II
• Intro. Comp. S&E
• Intro. Computer Systems
• CSE laboratories
• Information Security
• Information & Industry
• Information Ethics
• Introduction To IT Engineering
• Intro. Multimedia Systems

Programming and Related Courses
I am responsible for the courses, “Introduction to Programming” and “C Programming”, which are offered in the first and second semesters respectively for first-year students. In these courses, basics to applications for C programming are taught. There are a very few courses at other universities in Japan in which first-year students spend one whole academic year for studying one programming language in detail. This method of teaching has been implemented in order to correspond to requests from first-year students who are very eager to use computer right after entering the University. As faculty members, we would like for students to obtain skills relevant to programming as early as possible, because programming is one of very important tools for studying computer. In that sense, courses regarding programming are not goals of studies, but the starting points to work on class activities and research conducted in other courses. Knowledge and skills on programming are musts for studies and research at the University. As for the course, “Introduction to Programming,” nine instructors spend much time and labor for making the course better, by having many meetings and exchanging a number of e-mails a day, etc., so that students can make progress in this introductory course without experiencing difficulty. Looking at the world outside the University, computers are used at every corner in the world, starting from large scale on-line systems for banks to home electric appliances, such as rice cookers. It may be no exaggeration to say that the infrastructure necessary for our lifestyles and future is supported by programming. Computers and programming have infinite possibilities. I really would like for students to learn programming with enthusiasm. Skills and knowledge in programming will also be great advantages at the time of seeking employment.   [Kohei Otsuyama.Assistant Professor]

• Programming and Related Courses
• Intro.Programming
• C Programing
• JAVA Programming I
• C++ Programing
• Computer Languages
• JAVA Programming II

Fundamentals of Computer Science & Engineering and Related Courses
In these days, everything, including cars, home electric appliances such as televisions, has been equipped with a computer and/or internet. Systems used for such machines have become multifunctional and high-performance year by year. Machines also have become complicated, so that they can communicate each other on their own, working as established computer applications based on operating systems.vWhat can be done with a simple program and/or application has become very limited these days.  Computer engineers in the age to come are required to have a broad understanding of computer systems. Otherwise, they would be able to work as just a cog on the wheel. 
One of the greatest advantages in studying computer at universities is that students can learn the essence of computer starting from the basics. Most people have a tendency to work on what they are interested in and/or what is directly required for their work, which is easier to do. Accordingly, they seldom have opportunities to study the basics of things.  However, if students follow such a tendency, it will be difficult to realize what they really want and to catch up with the times nowadays. At the University of Aizu, students can steadily learn operation systems, database, logical mathematics, algorithms, etc., which are basic and essential, but hard to approach, through class activities. Moreover, they can also learn cutting-edge technology and become interested in it. Knowledge and skills that students will attain at the University will certainly serve as a core to produce innovative technology in the future.

• Fundamentals of Computer Science Engineering and Related Courses
• Algo.and Data Struct.
• Information Theory
• Discrete Systems
• Logic Circuit Design
• Computer Architecture
• Operating Systems
• Database Systems
• Automata and Languages
• Advanced Algorithms
• Language Processing Systems
• Numerical Analysis
• Date Compression

Koichi Ota, Professor

Humanities and Social Sciences
The University of Aizu offers a variety of courses related to Humanities and Social Sciences. These courses aim at expansion of the understanding of the background and surrounding fields of computer science, as well as acquisition of well-rounded basic ways of thinking and methodologies regarding culture and science. Currently, there are 15 courses in this course group, including “Philosophy,” “Psychology,” “Literature,” “Jurisprudence,” “Sociology” and “History of Science.”
Students are required to take 4 courses or more among these 15 courses. We recommend our students to take as many courses as possible in order to broaden their perspectives.
I teach “Philosophy,” one of many courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
The further you study philosophy, the more interesting it becomes to you. You may find that philosophers whose names you have heard were quite odd, or you may find that there were many philosophers who doubted existence of the objects right in front of them.

• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Philosophy
• Logic
• Psychology
• Linguistics
• Literature
• Art
• Documentation
• Jurisprudence
• Economics
• Sociology
• Constitution of Japan
• International Relations
• General Conprehensive Studies
• Theory of Physical Education
• History of Science

Ken Nakazawa,
Associate Professor

Physical Activities
Physical activity courses held once a week help you release the body and mind, and provide opportunities to have face-to-face interaction with classmates. Only in youth, can people challenge and experience potential of their physical functions, because physical functions reach their peak during one’s youth. There are many things that you should attain through development of physical strength in your youth. Aggressiveness, cooperativeness, frustration tolerance, etc. you acquire through physical activities will influence your body and mind, and form your “zest for living,” which will surely help you in various activities including research seminars at the University and your future life after graduation.
Physical activity courses are specifically necessary for computer science and engineering-oriented students, as they spend most of the time at universities sitting in front of computers.