Doctoral program (3D program and Doctoral part of the 5D program)

The following sections indicate general requirements and rules common to all programs, if not otherwise specified. The specifics of each program are described separately.

7.1 Guidelines for taking courses

See the Institute-wide Study Guide, the section VI.2 for the guidelines and the necessary procedures to take courses.

7.1.1 Course Requirements

Students must first read the section VI.1.2 for the requirements to complete the program. Regarding the section VI.1.2 (2), follow the instructions below. Check the Institute-wide Study Guide for information regarding taking the IGE courses, courses from other schools in JAIST or ones at other institutes.

(1)6 credits from the Advanced Seminar in Knowledge Science B (Major Research Project) (2)4 credits from Advanced Research in Knowledge Science B1 (Minor Research Project) or

Advanced Research in Knowledge Science B2 (Internship)

(3)10 credits (5 courses) or more in 2 of the 3 Advanced course areas

࣭The Basic and Technical courses other than courses not completed during the Master’s program are considered as the Advanced courses in the same area and can be used to fulfill

the requirements for the doctoral program. In such case, students must obtain at least 2 credits (1 course) from the Advanced courses in the doctoral program in addition to the courses regarded as the Advanced courses.

(4)If 5D program students have completed 18 credits (9 courses) from the Basic, Technical, and Advanced courses in the Master’s program, they can satisfy the degree requirements for the doctoral program by taking 2 more credits (1 course) from the Basic, Technical and Advanced courses in the doctoral program (excluding K601, K602, and K603). In such case students must apply for credit transfer as specified in the section VI.6. Students should be aware, however, that they must meet all of the doctoral degree requirements specified above.

7.2 Research supervision and guidance

7.2.1 Laboratory assignment and supervisor

See the Institute-wide Study Guide, the section VII.1 for the laboratory assignment. See also the section VII.3 for the multiple supervisory system. In the KS School a second supervisor will be chosen from the same research area as the supervisor.

7.2.2 Research project and internship

Research projects consist of major and minor projects. A supervisor will give guidance on a major research project and an advisor for Minor Research Projects will give guidance on a minor research project.

A major research project will focus on a subject in which a student and a supervisor share an academic interest. Students write a doctoral dissertation on their research.

Through minor research projects students broaden their horizons and develop multiple perspectives by acquiring fundamental concepts, knowledge, and abilities or by collaborating on subjects within their advisor’s area.

Students in the 5D program can carry out research at a graduate school or research institute abroad and write a paper or report on a minor research project. Students must be accepted by an outside advisor who has sufficient expertise to give guidance. They must maintain close contact with their supervisors and outside advisors for evaluation.

Students who wish to choose an internship instead of working on a minor research project must conduct an internship under their advisor’s guidance. The period of an internship should be longer than 3 months.

7.2.3 Major research project

(1) Students must draw up a research proposal for their doctoral dissertation and submit it to Kyoumu after consultation with their supervisor.

(2) Deadline for a research proposal

A research proposal must be submitted at the latest 1 year after the student’s enrollment in the doctoral program.

(3) Prerequisite for submitting research proposals

The content of research proposals must be acceptable. (4) Beginning of research

Students can formally begin their major research project just after their research proposal is accepted and approved by their 3 advisors and submitted to Kyoumu.

(5) Dissertation outline

After their 3 advisors have reviewed the dissertation outline, students must submit it at least 6 months before submitting application for degree (see the section 7.3.1) to Kyoumu.

(6) Fast-track degree

After consultation with their supervisor, students who wish to fast-track their studies must apply to the dean, and submit a dissertation outline earlier than the standard submission time. (7) Notes

The 3D program students who have not decided a theme for their major research project before enrolling in the doctoral program should choose one as early as possible in consultation with their supervisor, and conduct a bibliographic review while fulfilling course requirements. Many reviews on the research theme are indispensable before a good research proposal can be written.

7.2.4 Minor research project

(1) Students must consult with faculty members in an area outside their major area, find a faculty member who will assume the role of an advisor for Minor Research Projects, and choose a project theme. Students must submit the theme and the name of the advisor to Kyoumu. Then, students can conduct their minor research projects under the guidance of their advisor. If the subject of the minor research project does not overlap with the major research project, students may receive guidance from the advisor for a minor research project in the same area to which their supervisor belongs.

(2) Students can receive guidance for minor research projects from outside advisors such as visiting associate or full professors of courses offered jointly with other institutions, or associate or full professors at other universities. In this case, students will be required to do additional paperwork and to maintain close contact with their supervisors.

(3) Notes

࣭It is advisable for students to begin the project as early as possible and to finish in their 1st year.

࣭Doctoral students are required to present their research results at conferences and to publish articles in as many academic journals as possible to accrue research achievements. Minor research project reports should be presented at conferences and submitted as articles for publication in refereed academic journals for excellent research experience.

࣭Students can conduct group work as a method of research. Students are allowed to conduct group work in the two cases below.

࣭ When a student recruits several students with the same interests and find an advisor for minor research projects.

࣭ When an advisor proposes group work for a minor research project and recruits members.

Each student must write a thesis to obtain credits based on the advisor’s evaluation of the individual member thesis on group work. They may be asked to write an additional thesis as a group.

7.2.5 Internship

(1) Internships are conducted at companies etc. for a period longer than 3 months.

(2) Students who wish to apply for internships must find a faculty member who will assume the role of an advisor for Internship in consultation with their supervisor. Students must submit a document to the Career Service Department.

(3) The internship and the submission of a report must be completed before submitting an application for preliminary defense. Students must attach an evaluation from the company with the report and submit them to their advisor for Internship.

7.2.6 Grant for off-campus research and internship

Students are encouraged to carry out advanced research at other research institutions abroad or in Japan, to present their research abroad, or to do an internship at companies to fulfill their career goals. Leading companies, excellent regional companies, public offices, NPOs and NGOs are recommended for an internship venue. Detailed information regarding financial support for this, see the section 1-II-8 in the HANDBOOK for Students.

When the off-campus activity is approved as a minor research project, students may earn credits for K602 Advanced Research in Knowledge Science B1. When the off-campus activity is approved as an internship, students may earn credits for K603 Advanced Research in Knowledge Science B2. Other activities are regarded as part of the major research project and students can earn credits of K601 Advanced Seminar in Knowledge Science B. An application form must be submitted at least two months before the start of these activities.

See the Institute-wide Study Guide, the section VII.4 for the necessary procedures.

7.3 Degree conferment

See the section VIII.2 in the Institute-wide Study Guide.

7.3.1 Schedule pertaining to conferment of degree and procedures March Completion June Completion September Completion December Completion

Research proposal Must be submitted within 1 year after enrolling in the doctoral program Minor research

project thesis

Must be submitted to the advisor for Minor Research Project before submission of the application for preliminary defense

Dissertation outline Early July of the previous year

Early October of the previous

year

Early January Early April Application for preliminary defense Early October of the previous year Early

January Early April Early July

Preliminary defense

Middle of December of the

previous year

Middle of March Middle of June Middle of September Application for

degree Early January Early April Early July Early October

Formal hearing, oral defense, final examination

Early February Early May August Early November

Conferment of

degree March June September December

7.4 Career track choice

3D program students must choose one of the two tracks, typeE or S, based on their wishes at the time of enrollment. 5D program students can decide their track anytime after their laboratory assignment before the submission of the research proposal in the Master’s program.

7.5 Doctoral program schedule toward degree completion

The following table shows a standard schedule for the doctoral students enrolled in April who plan to complete their program in 3 years.

Category Submitted to / Note Period

Research proposal The dean via Kyoumu By the end of March in

their 1st year Advisor for minor research

project or internship

Kyoumu

(Title of a minor research project or Application for Internship)

By the end of March in their 1st year

Completion of minor research project or internship

Must be completed before the submission of application for

preliminary defense

Dissertation outline Kyoumu By early July in their 3rd

year Application for preliminary

defense

Kyoumu

(Titles of a dissertation and main publication)

Early October

Dissertation draft

Should be distributed to 5 or more members of the Doctoral Dissertation Preliminary Examination Committee

At least 2 weeks before the preliminary defense

Preliminary defense By Mid-December

Application for degree, Doctoral dissertation and abstract

Kyoumu

(with the dissertation and abstract) After a successful preliminary defense

Early January Formal hearing, oral defense

and final examination Early February

Submission of

dissertation and abstract

Kyoumu

(formatted as instructed by JAIST) After a successful oral defense

By the degree conferment day

Conferment of degree Late March