Degree examination criteria and degree types

＜Master's course＞

Master's thesis examination criteria

 For master's theses, examination as an academic paper in a specialized research field shall be performed based on the following areas, upon emphasizing novelty and applicability.
 Specifically, each screening committee member will evaluate master's theses considering these areas, and theses shall be deemed as passing the examination if evaluation meets the established criteria.

  1. The research background and purpose are sufficiently explained.
  2. The research procedures and methods are thoroughly developed.
  3. The experimental data, theoretical calculation results and research results are carefully organized and analyzed accordingly.
  4. The development of conclusions and new theories based on achieved data are logically and fully explained.
  5. The thesis is written using the proper academic writing methodology.
  6. Research ethical issues are properly handled.

Specialized project research examination criteria

 For specialized project research, examination as an academic paper in a specialized research field shall be performed based on the following areas, upon consideration of novelty and emphasizing applicability.
 Specifically, each screening committee member will evaluate specialized project research considering these areas, and specialized project research shall be deemed as passing the examination if evaluation meets the established criteria.

  1. The research background and objectives are sufficiently explained.
  2. The references are comprehensive, and their quality is thoroughly discussed.
  3. There is thorough examination of the student's experimental data and theoretical calculations and of those from the cited references.
  4. The conclusions are based on logical reasoning or a new hypothesis is logically developed.
  5. The thesis is written using the proper academic writing methodology.
  6. The thesis uses the proper reference methodology and appropriately addresses research ethics issues.

Project report examination criteria

 For project reports, examination as an academic paper in a specialized research field shall be performed based on the following areas, upon emphasizing applicability.
 Specifically, each screening committee member will evaluate project reports considering these areas, and project reports shall be deemed as passing the examination if evaluation meets the established criteria.

  1. The research background and objectives are sufficiently explained.
  2. The references are comprehensive, and the data they introduce is thoroughly discussed.
  3. There is thorough examination of the experimental data and the results of theoretical calculations from the cited references.
  4. There is sufficient explanation of broad perspectives and future directions based on the accumulated information.
  5. The thesis is written using the proper academic writing methodology.
  6. The thesis uses the proper reference methodology and appropriately addresses research ethics issues.

Degree types

Master of (Engineering / Science / Biological Sciences)
* The degree types that can be obtained are determined by the subjects taken and the contents of the theses.


＜Doctoral course＞

Doctoral thesis examination criteria

 For doctoral theses, examination as an academic paper in a specialized research field with novelty and applicability shall be performed based on the following areas.
 A principal part of the doctoral thesis being published or scheduled to be published by the candidate in a peer-reviewed scientific journal or as a book or at an international conference with a peer review system, etc. is prerequisite for thesis examination.
 Specifically, each screening committee member will evaluate doctoral theses considering these areas, and theses shall be deemed as passing the examination if evaluation meets the established criteria.

  1. The research background and purpose are sufficiently explained.
  2. The research procedures and methods are thoroughly developed.
  3. The experimental data, theoretical calculation results and research results are carefully organized and analyzed accordingly.
  4. The development of conclusions and new theories based on achieved data are logically and fully explained.
  5. The thesis is written using the proper academic writing methodology.
  6. Research ethical issues are properly handled.

Degree types

Doctor of (Engineering / Science / Biological Sciences)
* The degree types that can be obtained are determined by the subjects taken and the contents of the theses.

Milestones and capstones for progressive degree achievement

 At NAIST, in order to promote a smooth path towards obtaining degrees, capstones and milestones for both the master's and doctoral programs have been established to facilitate progression. This system will be in place for students entering NAIST from the 2018 academic year. The following is a guideline example for milestone/capstone timing for students entering NAIST in April and graduating within the standard period of study.

＜Master's course＞
 □ Milestone: (A mid-term report) by November of the 2nd year
 □ Capstone: (Master's thesis examination) in February of the 2nd year

＜Doctoral course＞
 □ Milestone: (A mid-term report) by November of the 1st year
 □ Milestone: (A mid-term report) by November of the 2nd year
 □ Milestone: (A mid-term report) by November of the 3rd year
 □ Capstone: (Doctoral thesis examination) in February of the 3rd year

 ※Milestone evaluation is performed every year from the 2nd year of the master's course.

 A rubric which indicates milestones and capstones can be found in the System for Electronic Education Record (SEER).
 In proceeding with your individual research, this rubric may be regularly referred to determine what is necessary to pursue even higher quality research and may also be helpful in writing and revising your thesis.

Degree Regulations

Schedule until degree conferral

 Degree conferral is performed every 3 months (March, June, September and December). The rough schedule until degree conferral below is for April entrance and March graduation within the standard study period for each program.

＜Master's course＞
Late December Submission of Thesis Review Request and Thesis Abstract
→Submit these to the graduate school Dean (Secretariat Office of division of your laboratory by the submission deadline. Fill in the type of degree (science, engineering, or biological sciences) you prefer on the request form.
Mid-January Faculty Council (Thesis title, screening committee member approval)
Mid-February to late February Master's thesis presentation (Thesis review and examination)
→Committee members confirm the capstone and follow thesis examination criteria for evaluation. Results reported to the Faculty Council.
Late February or early March Faculty Council (Examination report, deliberation, ruling: completion approval)
→Confirmation of completion requirements (Graduation credits, passing of thesis examination, passing of examination of academic ability) and approval of completion

＜Doctoral course＞
Early December Submission of Thesis Review Request, List of Publications, Thesis Abstract and Curriculum Vitae
→Submit these to the graduate school Dean (Secretariat Office of division of your laboratory) by the submission deadline. Fill in the type of degree (science, engineering, or biological sciences) you prefer on the request form.
Mid-December to mid-January Faculty Council (Thesis title, Screening committee member approval)
Mid-December to mid-February Public hearing (Pre-examination)
→Committee members confirm the capstone and follow thesis examination criteria for evaluation. Thesis (final version) guidance is given when necessary. If there are opinions related to evaluation, committee members will consider them. Passing students proceed to thesis examination. Corrections are made to the public hearing version to complete the final thesis version.
Upon passing the pre- examination Thesis examination
→Committee members follow thesis examination criteria for final thesis version examination. Students participate when necessary. Results are reported to the Faculty Council.
Late-February or early March Faculty Council (Examination report, deliberation, ruling: completion approval)
→Confirmation of completion requirements (Graduation credits, passing of thesis examination, passing of examination of academic ability) and approval of completion