Education

Curriculum

Earth and Planetary Sciences
Graduate MajorCurriculum

Providing a Path for Global Success as Earth and Planetary
Scientists

In the Earth and Planetary Sciences graduate major, related courses are organized into categories to provide systematic, specialized learning.

    • Tokyo Tech
    • Other Universities,
      Technical Colleges,
      etc.

  2. Entrance
    Examination

     
    Applicants must pass an entrance examination to advance from an undergraduate major to a master's program.

  3. Master's Program
    (2 Years)*1

    400-Level and 500-Level Courses

    Students begin with specialized study in each field of earth and planetary sciences. Major courses are organized into four academic fields: Space and Planetary Physics, Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Solid Earth Science, and Geochemistry. Students gain a balanced mastery of these fields in two years, broadening their academic perspectives and deepening their knowledge in their specialized fields. Through research seminars and research training, students also receive education in the scientific method, providing them with the skills necessary to conduct research.

    • Space and Planetary Physics
      This field covers the formation of planets in and beyond our solar system. Starting with basic theoretical models, students learn about the formation of planetary systems and planetary bodies, about the physics of the formation of stellar spectra, and about spectroscopy techniques and theoretical interpretation.
    • Solar-Terrestrial Physics
      This field covers electromagnetic phenomena of the solar system and solar system exploration. Students learn about solar wind plasma physics, the deep structure and dynamics of the Earth and planets as understood from their magnetic fields, and achievements in solar system exploration.
    • Solid Earth Science
      This field covers the inner structure and dynamics of the Earth's interior. Students learn about the Earth's thermal evolution and its material differentiation and circulation, magma generation and differentiation, volcanic activity, and observation techniques.
    • Geochemistry
      This field covers the formation and evolution of the Earth from a chemical perspective. Students learn about radioactive decay and isotope genesis, stable isotope fractionation, the chemical evolution of the Earth's surface environment, and precision chemical analysis of meteorites and other extraterrestrial samples.
    • Special Lectures
      Special lectures in earth and planetary sciences and other related fields are offered to broaden students' research perspectives.
    • Research Training
      Theoretical exercises, experiments, field work, and observation training are provided to support students in their master's thesis research.
    • Research Seminars
      Research seminars and literature reviews are conducted to support students in their master's thesis research.

    *1 Indicates the standard model where the master's program is completed in two years.

    1. Completion

    2. Advancement
      Assessment
      Applicants must pass an advancement
      assessment to advance from a master's program to a doctoral program.

    1. Other Universities'
      Graduates and Working Adults

    2. Entrance
      Examination
      Applicants must pass an entrance
      assessment to advance from another university to a doctoral program.

  5. Doctoral Program
    (3 Years)*2

    600-Level Courses

    Utilizing their specialized master's coursework as a foundation, students acquire the practical skills necessary for earth and planetary sciences research. Primarily through research seminars and research training, students refine both their specialized and practical skills, then apply them in independent research. Joint laboratory seminars are also held to give students broader exposure to related research fields. The curriculum is designed to provide opportunities for independent study.

    • Special Lectures
      Special lectures in earth and planetary sciences and other related fields are offered to broaden students' research perspectives.
    • Research Training
      Theoretical exercises, experiments, field work, and observation training are provided to support students in their doctoral thesis research.
    • Research Seminars
      Research seminars and literature reviews are conducted to support students in their doctoral thesis research.

    *2Indicates the standard model where the Doctoral Program is completed in three years.

  6. Completion