Curriculum
The Department of FUSION SCIENCE provides specialized subjects that are essential for studying fusion science from basic principles to cutting edge topics. This department also manages the Comprehensive Subjects Program (an interdepartmental program) and common subjects offered by the School of Physical Sciences. (See the table below for details.)
- Enrollment in a department of SOKENDAI for five years (three years for the 3-year course) or more.
- Earning at least 42 credits as prescribed by the course registration rules (12 credits for the 3-year course).
- Having received the necessary research supervision by a supervisor, and having successfully completed a doctoral thesis and the final examination.
- A student recognized by his/her department as a “student that has accomplished outstanding research results” may graduate before completing the required period of attendance.
Training Programs


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Credits/Degrees
Requirements for Graduation/Required Number of Credits
1. To graduate from SOKENDAI, the following requirements must be met.
● For 5-year course students
○ Enrollment in a School of SOKENDAI for five years or more
○ Earning at least the required number of credits as prescribed by the course registration rules of each School
○ Having undergone the necessary research supervision by a supervisor, successful examination of a doctoral thesis and successful completion of a final examination
○ Full payment of the required tuition fees (except for those who are exempted from tuition payment)
● For 3-year course students
○ Enrollment in a School of SOKENDAI for three years or more
○ Earning at least the required number of credits as set forth in the course registration rules provided on a department basis by the Schools.
○ Having undergone the necessary research supervision by a supervisor, successful examination of a doctoral thesis and successful completion of a final examination
○ Full payment of the required tuition fees (except for those who are exempted from tuition payment)
2. The table below shows the required number of credits for graduation specified by each department.
【five-year doctoral course】
(1) Those who are taking the five-year doctoral course must complete 42 or more credits from the Department’s Special Subjects, Common Specialized Subjects of the School of Physical Sciences, Comprehensive Subjects and subjects offered by the Course-by-Course Education Program in Physics.
(2) The total credits as specified in (1) must include 2 credits from Freshman Course in Interdepartmental Program.
(3) The total credits as specified in (1) must include the compulsory subjects provided in the requirements for completing the Course-by-Course Education Program in Physics.
(4) The credits described in (1) may include up to 4 credits from the other Departments.
【three-year doctoral course】
(1) Those who are taking the three-year doctoral course must complete 12 or more credits from the Department’s Special Subjects, common Specialized Subjects of the School of Physical Sciences, Comprehensive Subjects and subjects offered by the Course-by-Course Education Program in Physics.
(2) The total credits as specified in (1) must include 2 credits from Freshman Course in Interdepartmental Program.
(3) The total credits as specified in (1) must include the compulsory subjects provided in the requirements for completing the Course-by-Course Education Program in Physics.
(4) The credits described in (1) may include up to 4 credits from the other Departments.
Course | Term of enrollment | Number of credits |
5-year course | 5 years | 42 |
3-year course | 3 years | 12 |
Degree to be awarded
All the students who graduate from SOKENDAI obtain the degree of “Doctor of Philosophy”, “Doctor of Science”, or “Doctor of Engineering” depend on the contents of the doctoral theses.
[*Master’s degree]
Students who have registered in the 5-year course and are permitted to withdraw from SOKENDAI and have satisfied the requirements for obtaining a master’s degree as set forth in Article #16 of the Standards for the Establishment of Graduate Schools may be awarded a master’s degree.
Evaluation criteria for the doctoral thesis in the Department of Fusion Science
The doctoral thesis will be reviewed based upon the philosophy of the department and upon the perspectives of the internal and external members of the doctoral thesis committee regarding fusion research.
- Clarity of the objective and the academic significance of the research results
- Originality of the research
- Sufficient knowledge in the field of specialization and sufficient language skills for international activity
- Publication(s) in peer-reviewed journal(s) as first author or publication plans based upon results in the doctoral thesis
Syllabus
Special Lectures for Graduate School
Those lectures are open for providing the basic technology and information to the graduate students. Not only the SOKENDAI students but also any other university students or working persons can participate in those lectures. For attending a lecture or asking any related question, please contact to Mail.
Download the syllabus collection
International Coordinated Research
Examples of International Coordination
The IEA Stellarator-Heliotron Agreement
International Stellarator-Heliotron Confinement and Profile Database Activity

Japan-United States Collabrative Program
Neutron Irradiation of Fusion Reactor Materials
The Short-Stay Study Abroad Program
This programs is supported by a grant from the University that enables the students to take part in international joint research projects. These projects foster highly specialized world-class researchers who have global perspectives. It provides students opportunities to study at cutting-edge research institutes abroad and to pursue in-depth study with a number of prominent researchers. Students are able to gauge the positioning of their own research and forge friendships and make exchanges with new colleagues.
Financial support for student
We have enhanced the financial support system so that students may concentrate on their studies.
(1)Exemption from Tuition
When a student has difficulty paying tuition for economic reasons, the student recognized for outstanding academic achievements may be exempted from paying full tuition or one-half tuition following the prescribed screening by SOKENDAI.
(2)Research Fellowships for Young Scientists from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
This research fellowship offers third-year students and higher the opportunity to concentrate on their research. A research subsidy (living expenses) will be paid after successfully passing the prescribed screening. At the same time, the student must meet the qualification requirements for eligibility to receive a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) grant. These grants will be provided after a screening each year.
(3)Monbukagakusho(Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, MEXT)Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students
The MEXT Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students is provided by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). This scholarship is intended for exceptional privately funded international students, and is an open competition.
(4)The Research Assistant system at NIFS
Excellent students who are in the third-year or higher at NIFS can participate in research projects. This Research Assistant system promotes research effectively and develops the abilities of young researchers. When a student is appointed as a Research Assistant, a research scholarship will be provided.
(5)Other scholarships, research grants, and travel expenses
Students may apply for scholarships, grants for research, and other funding in addition to those described above. Among these sources of funding, there also are those that are advertised publicly for open competition and those intended only for students enrolled in the fusion science program. Also, NIFS and SOKENDAI will pay travel expenses for a student to attend an academic conference.