Message

MESSAGE TO CANDIDATES FOR OUR LAB

Introduction

One of the unique features of our laboratory is very active discussions. We have lively discussions without distinction among faculty members, seniors, and juniors, and we frequently have opportunities to discuss with visiting researchers from overseas. Our research style is full of intellectual stimulation as we flexibly incorporate new ideas from others.

If you are the type of person who does not like discussions with others, this may not be the right lab for you. Professor Tagawa is available for lab tours without an appointment if he has time.

Numerous experiments with fluids can be performed!

The experimental environment for fluid image analysis is well equipped with high-speed cameras, of which there are only a few in Japan. Capturing high-speed phenomena with these cameras has the potential to reveal unknown fluid mechanisms, phenomena, and principles. In addition, since these devices can be used to freely construct the environment for experiments, it is attractive to be able to try many different ways of doing things by oneself. Although the mathematical formulas are academically difficult, the beautiful streamlined motion of the fluid makes it possible to approach functional beauty and to capture images that are simply beautiful and pleasing to the eye (click here to see a collection of images taken with a high-speed camera).

The image below, which shows how a viscous liquid jet can be manipulated, is an example of how the elucidation of the principles of fluids leads to manufacturing. Manufacturing will be described in the next section, but beyond fluid experiments, manufacturing awaits.

Get creating skills!!

The goal of manufacturing in our laboratory is not to improve what already exists or to make inefficient things more efficient, but to create something completely new. We are currently working on the development of needle-free injections and the development of viscous paints for cars. Why don't you join us in manufacturing?

MESSAGE TO WORKING STUDENT CANDIDATES FOR OUR LAB

About the Doctoral Degree Program for Working Adults

Shortened completion of a doctoral degree in two years or one year is possible

　The standard period of study for the doctoral program is three years, but depending on the progress of their research, students with a master's degree may be able to obtain their degree in less than three years (minimum, one year) (according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, students must have been enrolled in the master's and doctoral programs for at least three years). Even if a student initially enrolls in the program with a three-year plan, if his or her research progresses smoothly, the laboratory will be flexible in scheduling the dissertation review to accommodate the shortened completion of the program, even in the middle of the program. In our laboratory, two working students in the 2018 academic year received their degrees within one year of enrollment in the doctoral program by using the shortened completion period system.

Graduate Lectures - Attendance is not required

　The credits required for the degree are fulfilled through research for the doctoral dissertation (“Special Seminar on Mechanical Systems Engineering”) and “Special Project Research”. (The content of the “Special Programmed Research” is designed with consideration for working people, so that students can easily obtain credits even with limited time.) Attendance at lectures is not required. However, students are free to attend lectures and earn credits if they wish.

Degree Examination - At least three peer-reviewed papers are required.

   The doctoral dissertation is written under the guidance of an academic advisor, and the contents of the dissertation are examined for the degree. First, in the preliminary examination, the student makes a presentation in front of five examiners (faculty members), including the supervisor, to determine whether the student is allowed to proceed to the final examination and to receive advice on how to improve the thesis and presentation. The final review is open to the public. At this point, the applicant must have at least three refereed papers (so-called periodical journal papers and refereed international conference proceedings) that comprise the content of the doctoral dissertation (either already published or accepted for publication).

LET'S GET A DOCTORAL DEGREE!

We are looking for PhD candidates! Dr. students who are working are also welcome!   -Dr. degree is very close!

The requirement for obtaining a doctoral degree in this department is to publish three academic papers while enrolled in graduate school. Our laboratory writes academic papers from as early as the master's level and provides students with as many opportunities for submission as possible. There have been cases in which two academic papers were accepted at the master's level (as in the case of two working doctoral students who received their doctoral degrees in FY2018), and these two students used the shortened completion period system (for details, see “Doctoral Degree System and Preferences” on this page) to publish one academic paper during their one year in the doctoral program, and received their doctoral degrees. The system is designed to enable students to step up to the next level with generous support as shown below.

First report:  Around the 1st year of master's and doctoral studies

My first experience of writing an academic paper. Wrote from the first draft of the manuscript and submitted it after repeated major revisions. The paper was accepted for publication, with extensive support from the staff at each step of the process, from the conception of the paper to the response to the reviewers. Although it takes the most time and effort to get the paper published among the three papers, this experience has allowed me to grow intellectually in a different way!

Second report: Around the 1st and 2nd year of doctoral studies

This is an advanced version of the first paper. Try each process until publication on your own. Staff members provide timely support for those processes that require assistance. The ability to organize research is rapidly developed!

Third report: Around the 2nd or 3rd year of doctoral course

The core of the paper contains many of your own research ideas. The level of contribution to the thesis is equal to that of the faculty member (50/50). This is a work that will give you confidence when you go out into the world of work!

About Doctoral Degrees for Working Adults

　Doctoral students who are working may have an image that it is difficult to balance work and study, but sufficient consideration has been given to ensure that they can fulfill the requirements for doctoral degree acquisition without difficulty, such as by not requiring them to attend graduate school lectures. Yoshiyuki Tagawa Laboratory is also accepting applications for working doctoral students.

Doctoral Degree System and Preferential Treatment

In the Graduate School of Engineering, the Master's Course is positioned as the “Master's Course” and the Doctoral Course as the “Doctoral Course. In other words, all graduate students in the Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering belong to the “Doctoral Program. This means that our department is designed on the premise that graduate students are expected to obtain a doctoral degree*1 (For background, please refer to “Japanese Society is in Search of Doctoral Degree Candidates” on this page). D. students are offered a variety of preferential treatment. The following is a brief introduction.

Shortening of completion period for Ph.

Students with particularly outstanding research achievements can obtain a doctoral degree in a minimum of three years from the master's degree program*2.

Flexibility in Completion Period

In consideration of the life planning of doctoral students, completion opportunities are offered four times a year (June, September, December, and March).

Entrance fee waiver

Only those who have completed the Master's Program are exempted from paying the entrance fee required to enter the Doctoral Program.

Tuition Exemption

Full tuition for the second semester of the year of admission to the doctoral program is waived for students with outstanding academic records.

RA Employment

RAs are hired as research assistants (RAs) and paid for part of their research and educational activities*3.

Scholarship for Excellent Students

Scholarship for those who have published research papers in English-language journals listed in WoS or Scopus.

Overseas Dispatch Program

Provides full funding for the cost of dispatching researchers to overseas universities and research institutions. The period of stay is expected to be 2 to 6 months per year.

引用

[a]　Society（ソサエティ）5.0，内閣府ホームページ

[b]　科学技術・学術審議会人材委員会・中央教育審議会大学分科会大学院部会合同部会（第1回）配付資料，【資料1-1】「科学技術・学術審議会人材委員会・中央教育審議会大学分科会大学院部会合同部会の設置について」，文部科学省

[c]　文部科学省　科学技術・学術政策研究所「科学研究のベンチマーキング 2017 -論文分析でみる世界の研究活動の変化と日本の状況-」，村上・伊神，p.13，図表11，2017

[d]　文部科学省　科学技術・学術政策研究所「科学技術指標2018」3.4学位取得者の国際比較，図表3-4-4

[e]　文部科学省　科学技術・学術政策研究所「民間企業における博士の採用と活用 -製造業の研究開発部門を中心とするインタビューからの示唆-」，篠田・鐘ヶ江・岡本，P.4，図表1.4より抜粋，2014

[f]　2040年を見据えた大学院教育のあるべき姿 〜社会を先導する人材の育成に向けた体質改善の方策〜 (審議まとめ)，中央教育審議会大学分科会，P.1，文部科学省

[g]　世界トップレベル研究拠点プログラム（WPI）の概要，文部科学省