Education

B2D Special Selection (B2D Scheme)

Updated November 28, 2022

The B2D Special Selection (B2D Scheme) started in AY2019 in response to demand from students wanting to get started in research projects earlier.
Previously, students started their research as part of the Independent Research Project in their fourth year of the undergraduate program*. Successful applicants for the B2D Scheme ("B2D Students") can start research projects from their second year.
(*Students scheduled for early graduation can start their Independent Research Project from the fall semester of their third year of the undergraduate program.)

B2D: A unique Tokyo Tech program that enables students intending to proceed to the doctoral program to start planning for graduate studies from the second year of their undergraduate program.

Four Advantages of the B2D Scheme

1.
Initiate research project in the fall semester of the second year of the undergraduate program
2.
Determine intended laboratory at an earlier stage
3.
Create a different curriculum from the standard curriculum of the department
4.
Support for study abroad expenses

The B2D Scheme requires students to create a study plan and select a field of research based on their intentions.

The B2D Special Selection process starts from AY2020. The first cohort comprises students who entered the undergraduate program in AY2019.
Each year, a briefing on the B2D Scheme will be offered to first-year undergraduate students at the April guidance and information session, with an explanation of the contents and selection methods provided at the April orientation and departmental information session for second-year undergraduate students.
The information sessions were held below. A briefing on the B2D special program and application method will be provided, and prospective applicants are required to participate.

1.
B2D Scheme Information Session for Second-Year Undergraduate Students [This session is over.]
Target: Those whose Student ID number starts with "21B"
Date: Wendnesday, April 27, 2022, from 13:30 (for about 40 minutes)
Hy-flex type session: via hold Zoom or at H131 classroom
2.
B2D Scheme Information Session for Second-Year Undergraduate Students [This session is over.]
Target: Those whose Student ID number starts with "22B"
Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2022, from 13:30 (for about 30 minutes)
Holding the session: at H131 classroom

B2D Scheme Application Method and Selection Process

Applicants to the B2D Scheme are limited to students belonging to participating departments.
Applicants are to download the Application Guide, Application Form, and Study Guide (22. B2D Special Program excerpt).

The AY2022 selection schedule is as follows:

  • April 27, 2022: B2D Scheme Information Session for second-year undergraduate students
  • Around May 18, 2022: Application period
  • June 2022: Preliminary screening (document screening), results notified upon decision made by departments
  • 2Q (starting on Saturday, June 11, 2022): Start of mentoring by B2D instructor for candidates who pass the preliminary screening (start preparation for studying in the B2D Special Program)
  • First half of August 2022: Secondary screening (interview), presentation, etc.
  • First half of September 2022: Result of the secondary screening notified
  • Mid September 2022: Determine a study plan for the B2D Special Program
  • 3Q (starting on Thursday, September 29, 2022): Start studying in the B2D Special Program (start research)

Departments participating in the B2D Scheme and contact information (as of April 1, 2021)

School
Undergraduate Major
Contact
Professor
Professor
Professor
Associate Professor
Professor
 　Tsuyoshi Isshiki
Associate Professor
Associate Professor
Professor
Professor
Professor
Professor

B2D Special Program

The B2D Scheme has established the B2D Special Program, which enables a tailored curriculum separate from each department’s standard curriculum, and thus provides career development support catered to individual students. Study plans will be designed under mentoring by faculty in charge of the B2D Scheme in the relevant department.

B2D students may take B2D Research Basics (B2D courses) that provide introductory research experience at laboratories from the fall semester of their second year of the undergraduate program. Consequently, they can investigate their intended field of research. Once the field of research is determined, students may take B2D Pre-research Training (B2D courses) from the spring semester of their third year of the undergraduate program. B2D Pre-research Training allows Independent Research Projects at the intended laboratory.

B2D courses comprise the following:

  • B2D Research Basics (0-1-0 course credit per semester)
    Learn basic research methods and look for/consider research themes.
  • B2D Pre-research Training (0-2-0 course credits per semester)
    Research theme is almost determined. Initiate research according to the Independent Research Project.

Please check the syllabus for details.

In addition, students are required to participate in B2D-related forums.

B2D Forum: Information exchange on research activities through group work with B2D students in different fields

Independent Research Project Requirements and Eligibility for B2D Students

Eligibility for B2D Students to start their Independent Research Project is explained below:

1.
Minimum of three years’ enrollment (Note: In the case of early graduation, 18 months or 3 years)
2.
Satisfy requirements regarding common courses among all schools, i.e., liberal arts (humanities and social science) courses, English language courses, second foreign language courses, and basic science and technology courses (Study Guide 1. Overview, Table 2).
3.
Acquire 110 or more credits from research-related courses and other major courses determined by the relevant department for the B2D Special Program.
4.
Satisfy requirements determined by the relevant department in the Study Guide (22. B2D Special Program*).

*For students enrolled from AY2019, the "22. B2D Special Program" page is not available, and the relevant material is to be distributed at the information session for second-year undergraduate students.

The following requirements have been added to the assessment of the B2D Special Program Independent Research Project:

1.
In principle, students must have attended all B2D Forums held in 3Q of the second year and before Independent Research Program application.
2.
Students must have studied abroad, including a language program, for a minimum of two weeks. (This does not apply if study abroad is planned after the completion of the Independent Research Project or during the master’s program.)

Note 1. Notify us in advance if participation is not possible for unavoidable reasons.

Note 2. Overseas internship during the master’s program is recommended for students whose native language is English, or who is fluent in English.

Graduation/Completion Requirements for B2D Students

B2D students must fulfil the following to graduate from bachelor’s programs:

1.
Satisfy requirements regarding common courses among all schools, i.e., liberal arts (humanities and social science) courses, English language courses, second foreign language courses, and basic science and technology courses (See 1. Overview, Table 2 in the Study Guide).
2.
Acquire 124 or more credits required for graduation determined by the relevant department for the B2D Special Program.
3.
Satisfy requirements determined by the relevant department in the Study Guide 22. B2D Special Studying Program*.
4.
Take at least two courses from "B2D Research Basics a,b,c (0-1-0 credit per semester)" or "B2D Pre-research Training a,b (0-2-0 credits per semester)": Provided, however, either "B2D Research Basics a" or "B2D Research Basics b" course is included.

Note 1. Departments may substitute "Research Opportunity Courses" (required courses for which completion is mandatory to start the Independent Research Project) with the requirements in "3" above at their discretion. Contact the department for details.

Note 2. B2D courses may be offered intensively during summer or spring break.

Note 3. "B2D Pre-research Training courses a,b" may be taken subject to completion of one of the "B2D Research Basics courses a,b". "B2D Research Basics courses c" may be taken subject to completion of the "B2D Research Basics courses a".

B2D students must fulfil the following to complete master’s and doctoral programs:
[Master’s program]

If students are not studying abroad in a bachelor's programs, students must have studied abroad, including a language program, for a minimum of two weeks.
[Doctoral program]

1.
Conduct at least one case presentation at the B2D Forum while enrolled in the graduate program.
2.
Participate in more than three months research abroad.
If a student wishes to return to the standard progression of the relevant department’s curriculum

The B2D Scheme is a framework for promoting student advancement to doctoral-level studies, and student participation is optional. Students may return to the standard progression of the relevant department if they change their intended goals, and may apply for doctoral programs outside the B2D Scheme.

Please contact each department’s faculty member in charge of the B2D Scheme for consultation and inquiries.

Contact

Educational Planning Group, Student Division

Email kyo.kyo@jim.titech.ac.jp