The Three Policies of the School of Informatics, Management, and Human Sciences (Ph.D. in Engineering)

Based on the diploma policy outlined by Keio University, this program aims to cultivate students who value diversity and use their expertise in science and technology to boldly venture into unknown frontiers and lead society. Moreover, our objective is to foster true global citizens who can organically connect science and technology with issues facing the natural world, humans, culture, and society, enabling a profound, essential understanding of them. Armed with this insight, they will boldly explore uncharted territories of human nature, culture, society, and technology to actively shape and advance the future of society.

In addition, the degree of Doctor of Science in Engineering will be conferred upon students with an advanced awareness and understanding of monozukuri (manufacturing/craftsmanship) and kotozukuri (value creation/systems design) in the field of engineering, and who fulfill all the prescribed curriculum requirements.

(1) Demonstrate a strong determination to contribute to society, utilizing one's unique talents to proactively identify problems.

(2) Demonstrate the ability to break down complex problems into manageable elements and tackle them using advanced academic and technological expertise.

(3) Demonstrate the ability to generate world-leading, creative research outcomes across a broad spectrum of science and technology, from basic to applied fields.

(4) Demonstrate the ability to independently conduct advanced research across a wide range of science and technology fields, proactively identify opportunities to apply one's expertise, and explore emerging frontiers with an appreciation for diverse values.

The above four competency objectives are common across all schools.

(5) Demonstrate the ability to leverage the strong academic foundation and research competencies in one’s field to systematically acquire peripheral knowledge and a broader perspective through interdisciplinary engagement.

(6) Demonstrate clear achievements in a specialized field, while acting as a globally minded citizen who applies strong ethics, responsibility, and logical reasoning to solve uncharted problems.

(7) Demonstrate the ability to identify opportunities to apply one's knowledge and expertise.

(8) Demonstrate the ability to independently spearhead creative and innovative R&D that incorporates an awareness of monozukuri (manufacturing/craftsmanship) and kotozukuri (value creation/systems design).

The doctoral final examination consists of a comprehensive review, focusing primarily on the candidate’s dissertation and knowledge of related fields. In particular, the research underlying the candidate’s dissertation must contribute to the advancement of science, technology, and industry. Furthermore, it must feature pioneering content that drives innovative R&D for far-reaching global impact.

The curriculum is comprised of specialized research courses. This program delivers instruction on defining research questions, methodologies for arriving at solutions, research execution, achieving convergence, and thesis preparation to develop and refine research skills to ensure students meet the completion requirements outlined in the School of Informatics, Management, and Human Sciences’ degree conferral policy.

Students conduct research under the guidance of their academic advisor, actively gaining international research experience while summarizing the results in their doctoral dissertation. The curriculum provides structured, step-by-step guidance from multiple faculty members throughout this process.

Our objective is to foster true global citizens who can organically connect science and technology with issues facing the natural world, humans, culture, and society, enabling a profound, essential understanding of them. Armed with this insight, they will boldly explore uncharted territories of human nature, culture, society, and technology to actively shape and advance the future of society.

In the doctoral program, students not only systematically acquire advanced expertise and logical thinking skills, but also create a vision for the future. By pioneering new and unexplored fields through their research activities, they cultivate the ability to make significant contributions to academic and societal development. The program comprises two curricula—the Curriculum of Open Sciences and the Curriculum of Industrial and Systems Engineering—to cultivate these abilities.

The Curriculum of Open Sciences is designed to foster expertise in students' chosen fields while enabling them to acquire advanced knowledge and autonomously develop critical thinking rooted in a broad perspective. To achieve this, the curriculum includes: specialized courses that enable students to acquire the knowledge needed to organically connect science and technology with challenges facing the natural world, humans, culture, and society; advanced experiential courses that instill an awareness of real-world issues through various projects—including collaboration with industry; international courses designed to foster a global mindset through collaboration with overseas universities and research institutions; and specialized skills courses to equip students with practical R&D expertise as well as the skills needed to smoothly implement R&D-based projects.

Opportunities for discussion are embedded throughout the curriculum via specialized research groups. These groups are composed of multiple faculty members from fields related to a student’s research topic. Through these collaborations, students gain the perspective and deep expertise necessary to pursue their research with both academic depth and breadth. Research outcomes developed through discussion and review in these groups will be evaluated by faculty members in the student’s specific field, as well as multiple faculty members from adjacent or peripheral fields.

The Curriculum of Industrial and Systems Engineering explores science, technology, and management from diverse perspectives and ideas, focusing on the four major management resources used in social services: people, goods, information, and capital. The curriculum provides an environment in which students can systematically acquire cutting-edge theories and technologies based on four core academic areas: humans and systems, applied statistics and optimization, information science and artificial intelligence, and management and economics. Through these educational and research activities, the program aims to nurture individuals capable of creating new methodologies and developing applied technologies to solve real-world problems.

The criteria for evaluating students’ learning outcomes in relation to the competency objectives of this program shall be carried out in accordance with the grading rubrics for each course. Specific evaluation criteria for reports, discussions, and research presentations are outlined in course syllabi.

Additionally, with the Assessment Plan in mind, the university promotes institution-wide efforts to improve teaching methods based on student feedback from course questionnaires, while encouraging students’ independent and self-directed learning.

The following competency objectives will be cultivated through research courses. 

(1) Demonstrate a strong determination to contribute to society, utilizing one's unique talents to proactively identify problems.

(2) Demonstrate the ability to break down complex problems into manageable elements and tackle them using advanced academic and technological expertise.

(3) Demonstrate the ability to generate world-leading, creative research outcomes across a broad spectrum of science and technology, from basic to applied fields.

(4) Demonstrate the ability to independently conduct advanced research across a wide range of science and technology fields, proactively identify opportunities to apply one's expertise, and explore emerging frontiers with an appreciation for diverse values.

(5) Demonstrate the ability to leverage the strong academic foundation and research competencies in one’s field to systematically acquire peripheral knowledge and a broader perspective through interdisciplinary engagement.

(6) Demonstrate clear achievements in a specialized field, while acting as a globally minded citizen who applies strong ethics, responsibility, and logical reasoning to solve uncharted problems.

(7) Demonstrate the ability to identify opportunities to apply one's knowledge and expertise.

(8) Demonstrate the ability to independently spearhead creative and innovative R&D that incorporates an awareness of monozukuri (manufacturing/craftsmanship) and kotozukuri (value creation/systems design).

Research courses are structured to build these core competencies through guided instruction in defining research questions, methodology, project execution, outcome synthesis, and dissertation preparation. Through both domestic and international research activities, students develop their work and submit a doctoral dissertation for evaluation. Together, these research activities form the core content of the curriculum.

The School of Informatics, Management, and Human Sciences seeks students with the following qualities, motivation, and interests.

(1) Students who strongly resonate with the Graduate School of Science and Technology’s human resource development goals and education/research objectives who possess a desire to enhance their knowledge of science and technology, acquire communication skills that emphasize diversity, and attain the capabilities to venture into uncharted territories based on science and technology, driven by their own independent thought and action.

(2) Students who aspire to conduct high-level research across diverse international fields and are committed to making meaningful societal contributions through their work.

(3) Students with a solid academic foundation in fields that serve to organically connect science and technology with issues facing the natural world, humans, culture, and society, enabling a profound, essential understanding of them. Students should be receptive to diverse values, have a strong desire to advance science and technology and its social integration, and contribute to the development of science, technology, or academia at large.

To admit a wide range of candidates who embody these qualities, selection will be conducted through entrance examinations in July and February. A separate entrance examination will be conducted for students from overseas universities applying for the International Graduate Programs on Advanced Science and Technology. Through this selection process, we strive to create an educational and research environment that drives intellectual synergy by bringing together students with diverse skills and backgrounds to inspire and challenge one another. 

(1) July Examinations: Selection is primarily based on document screening; however, applicants may be asked to sit for an oral examination if necessary.

(2) February Examinations: Selection is primarily based on document screening; however, applicants may be asked to sit for an oral examination if necessary.

(3) International Graduate Programs on Advanced Science and Technology Examinations: With multiple application periods per year, selection is primarily based on document screening and an oral examination.