While NAIST has positioned the three advanced science and technology fields--information science and engineering, biological science, and materials science and engineering--as its core fields, it also actively explores the related interdisciplinary fields and fosters scholars with both a deep understanding of their own specialization and thorough knowledge of the related fields that will contribute to leading the next generation of advanced science and technology from the holistic perspectives, the spirit of challenge, well-roundedness, interdisciplinary understanding, and a global perspective in order to respond to social demands towards the complex and progressing advanced science and technology. NAIST operates an accredited degree-granting process based on an educational program to achieve these objectives and a multifaceted educational research advising body structure (multiple faculty members with different viewpoints advise and guide students).

Master's course

Master's degrees shall be awarded to students who have been enrolled in the course for the stipulated period, acquired the necessary credits by completing subjects established according to the curriculum policy, and passed the review and examination of a master's thesis, special extended essay, or extended essay written under the necessary research guidance, while also having achieved the goals as shown below.

1. To acquire the expertise and skills to understand the broad basic concepts of advanced science and technology fields (information science and engineering, biological science, material science and engineering, and their interdisciplinary fields) from a holistic and comprehensive point of view to be able to pursue problem solving.
2. To acquire the skills to set an agenda and topic in a specific field to conduct research or technical development, as well as the ability to apply these to interdisciplinary research and development in other fields.
3. To acquire global communication skills and a holistic perspective, and the ability to exercise leadership in research and development in advanced science and technology fields.
4. To acquire high ethical and scientific perspectives in research and development in advanced science and technology fields.
5. The master's thesis, special extended essay, or extended essay written produces results that contribute to advanced science and technology academically or in application.

Doctoral course

Doctor's degrees shall be awarded to students who have been enrolled in the course for the stipulated period, acquired the necessary credits by completing subjects established according to the curriculum policy, and passed the review and examination of a doctoral thesis written under the necessary research guidance, while also having achieved the goals as shown below.

1. To acquire sophisticated expertise and skills to understand the broad theory and structures of advanced science and technology fields (information science and engineering, biological science, material science and engineering, and their interdisciplinary fields) from a holistic and comprehensive point of view to challenge solving difficult problems.
2. To acquire the skills and the spirit of challenge to actively and independently promote the identification and resolution of problems in a specific field, as well as to lead new interdisciplinary research and development in other fields.
3. To acquire sophisticated global communication skills and a holistic perspective, and the ability to exercise international leadership in a global environment in advanced science and technology field research and development.
4. To acquire high ethical and scientific perspectives in research and development in advanced science and technology fields.
5. The doctoral thesis written produces particularly excellent research results that contribute to advanced science and technology academically or in application.

Admission Policy

Curriculum Policy