Faculty of ENGINEERING
Contributing to society through original thinking
and innovative engineering
Development of problem solving skills and execution of ideas
The Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University, aims not only to provide students with opportunities to acquire expertise in a specific field, but also aims to nurture young researchers who can envision future scientific and technical developments and contribute to the creation of new fields. Therefore, all six schools described below focus on providing a solid base of knowledge, cultivating critical thinking, and evaluating the growth potential of ideas.
Flexible learning to foster creativity
Creativity through flexible approaches to problems incorporating research, development, and technology is essential for the success of students embarking on study in the Undergraduate Schools of Chemical Science and Technology, Engineering Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Informatics and Mathematical Science, Civil, Environmental and Resources Engineering, and Architecture. Based on this premise, respective Divisions have based their curricula on a commonality of flexibility with the goal of encouraging creative thinking. In addition to the basic curriculum, students can broaden their knowledge by studying specialized subjects from other divisions and faculties based on their interests.
Focusing on Liberal Arts and Sciences Courses
The first- and second-year students of the Faculty primarily learn Liberal Arts and Sciences Courses centered around cultural education with the objective of broadening their individual perspectives. Liberal Arts and Sciences Courses are classified into eight subject groups: Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Languages, Informatics, Health and Sports, Career Development, Interdisciplinary Sciences, and Seminars in Liberal Arts and Sciences(small group education). During the first two years, students strengthen their foundation of knowledge in preparation for studying advanced specialized fields.
Gradual transition to advanced specialized subjects
In the Faculty, the first-year students of almost all divisions are introduced to the basic subjects in their area, while the second-year students primarily focus on specialized subjects. Specialization, begun in the second year, intensifies for the third-year students who primarily take advanced courses dealing with specialized subjects. By gradually transitioning from basic to advanced specialized subjects, students steadily develop their intellectual capabilities and make flexible use of their solid knowledge base.
Creative research toward graduation
The fourth-year students undertake specialized research in their own subjects called "Special Research" under the instruction of subject teachers. This is a major project required for graduation with research results presented in the form of a bachelor's thesis. In order to complete this project, each student works in a laboratory to experience creative research activities while engaging in discussions with teachers and graduate students.
Introduction of the six schools
Undergraduate School of Civil, Environmental and Resources Engineering
Supporting rational global development and conservation, as well as sustainable human development
Civil, Environmental and Resources Engineering consists of three fields: the technical system of resources and energies necessary for civilization, the technical system of infrastructure (social infrastructure) that supports civilization, and the technical system that maintains the balance of the natural environment and human society. The Undergraduate School of Civil, Environmental and Resources Engineering thus covers a wide variety of science & technologies and aims to support rational global development and environmental protection as well as sustainable human development based on the well-known principle of "Think Globally and Act Locally". Education offered by the division intends to develop considerable insights of the comprehensive nature of science & technologies associated with relevant disciplines. Concerning more specialized science & technologies, students also develop their ability to execute advanced research and practical operations while acquiring cutting-edge knowledge in the field. This division also offers an International Course Program of Civil Engineering wherein all classes are provided in English as a way to develop international engineers.
Undergraduate School of Architecture
Learning about human technologies imbedded in every aspect of human civilization
Architecture, which is responsible for creating human living environments and is relied upon to develop safe, healthy, and comfortable living, involves creative endeavors integrating multiple technologies. It can also be referred to as "human" technology because of its deep connection to every aspect of our lives. Because of these characteristics, the education offered by the Undergraduate School of Architecture covers a wide range of natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Graduates have diverse career options, including architectural design and construction, structural engineering, building environment engineering, building administration, new technologies research, and consulting for a wide variety of development businesses. Therefore, the division welcomes not only students who are interested in natural sciences, but also those who are interested in humanities, social sciences, and the arts by providing a broad-based education to fully cultivate their skills.
Undergraduate School of Engineering Science
Five interdisciplinary courses aimed at cultivating individuals who create new technologies
There are great expectations for 21st century engineering science with regard to the development of new systems, materials, and energy sources, as well as for the resolution of issues, such as utilization of cosmic space. To create new technologies that can meet such needs, students need to have a deep understanding of basic subjects. Based on this philosophy, the Undergraduate School of Engineering Science promotes education and research focusing on grasping the basics. In addition, five courses --Mechanical and Systems Engineering Course, Materials Science Course, Aeronautics and Astronautics Course, Nuclear Engineering Course, and Energy Science Course-- collaborate closely to offer an interdisciplinary education. Furthermore, the Graduate School of Engineering (to which most students proceed) has divisions, such as Mechanical Engineering and Science, Micro Engineering, Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nuclear Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering, which are affiliated with the divisions within the Graduate Schools of Energy Science and Informatics and other affiliated research centers allowing students to conduct basic research and advanced interdisciplinary study.
Undergraduate School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Supporting science and technologies required by all industries and infrastructures
Electrical and Electronic Engineering supports science and technologies essential to all industries of modern society and supports much of social activities. In addition, it plays an important role required to enrich future society, such as building sophisticated and safe information and telecommunications networks, creating materials and devices with new functions based on nanotechnology, developing precise and sophisticated diagnostic technology, producing human-friendly medical technology, and using energy in highly efficient ways. Based on such needs, the Division aims to develop individuals with a wide range of integrated knowledge and expertise, as well as vision broadened by multiple aspects, innovative creativity, and a sense of morality. Therefore, the curriculum is designed in such a way that students learn the basic subjects widely and are gradually introduced to their selected specialized subjects. This approach enables young researchers to acquire the knowledge and techniques required to develop electrical and electronic engineering further.
Undergraduate School of Informatics and Mathematical Science
Solving complex system issues in accordance with the developments of an advanced information society
As our society becomes more and more information-oriented, we must treat larger and more complicated systems and analyze big data, an enormous collection of information obtained through such systems. To accomplish this task, we need to understand how the systems function and generate information flow, and to develop efficient methods for the analysis. The Undergraduate School of Informatics and Mathematical Science consists of two courses, Computer Science; and Applied Mathematics and Physics. Students acquire a comprehensive education from the basic to the advanced level in informatics and mathematical sciences. In the Computer Science course, they acquire the fundamental ability to design, implement and utilize computer hardware, system software, and information systems. Furthermore, the Computer Science course provides advanced education on AI, Data Science, and Robotics to develop computational thinking for solving various problems related to societal problems. The Applied Mathematics and Physics course provides more focused education on mathematics and physics. Students develop competence in advanced mathematics and physics skills and learn how to apply them to various problems in diverse disciplines, including AI, Data Science, and Robotics.
Undergraduate School of Chemical Science and Technology
A foundation of cutting-edge science technologies which supports comfortable living
Chemistry, which studies the reactions and processes of various artificial substances, as well as physical properties that determine the functions of materials, ensures a level of comfort in modern lifestyles and is the foundation of cutting-edge science technologies. Based on this premise, the Undergraduate School of Chemical Science and Technology provides education aimed at developing individuals involved in research, development, and technology who will play active roles in a wide range of chemistry-related fields. Specifically, first-year students learn natural science-related basic subjects, such as chemistry, physics, and mathematics, while concurrently learning languages, the humanities, and social science subjects. Second-year students primarily learn basic specialized subjects of the Division in the first semester and then choose to join either the Frontier Chemistry Course, the Advanced Chemistry Course, or the Chemical Process Engineering Course in the latter half of the academic year. They then receive specialized education in Years 3 and 4. Fourth-year students strengthen their foundation as either a researcher or an engineer by undertaking sophisticated work in their laboratory required for graduation.
