SOPHIA UNIVERSITY A Guide for High School Students 2018-2019

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Faculty of Science and Technologye new framework adopted by the departments diers from the traditional system of learning.Students can decide which department they wish to enter, based on the high school subjects they excelled in and the eld of specialization they plan to major in when they advance to graduate school. e three departments are organized to traverse various branches of learning in science and technology.Key themes are designed to help students identify their eld of study.Laser ScienceLasers are indispensable to people’s lives as they are widely used in various areas, including information and communications, health care, energy, basic sciences, and electrical appliances. Students understand the principles and characteristics of lasers and acquire knowledge required for their application.ermal Energy ConversionUsing internal combustion engines as an example, students gain a profound understanding of the process by which thermal energy is converted into power and the parameters that aect energy eciency as they attempt to maximize it. Learning, Memory and CognitionStudents study a wide range of brain functions, including emotions and thinking, and emphasis is placed on the aspect of networking.Organic and Natural Product ChemistryStudents learn methods to chemically synthesize natural organic compounds with diverse biological activities and complex structures articially.Energy & MaterialsStudents alternately study metal materials used in extreme environments ranging from thermal and nuclear power generation to future hydrogen energy societies, and basic sciences that serve as the foundation for such studies.Fundamental eory of SignalsStudents learn the fundamental theory of signals that support the transmission of information, as well as various technologies actually used in information communications (such as Fourier transformation, analysis of signals, and signal detection theory). Fine Polymer ChemistryStudents learn how to synthesize polymer materials with unique characteristics and functions, such as electron and ion conductivity, luminescence, hyperintensity, and biocompatibility. ey also examine the application of polymer materials to fuel cells, electroluminescent devices, articial hearts, and so forth.Robotic SystemsStudents acquire basic knowledge to analyze and control robotic movement. In particular, they study the fundamentals of robot kinematics, trajectory planning, attitude control, and trajectory tracking control.Information Systems EngineeringStudents gain an in-depth understanding of the theoretical and systematic aspects of the purpose/denition, type, conguration, processing unit, component, and form of development, according to the requirements for developing information systems.Discrete MathematicsDiscrete mathematics is the study of mathematical structures that are fundamentally nite and discrete rather than continuous like real numbers. Students learn the fundamentals of discrete mathematics, which provide the foundation for information science. Topics taken up include graph theory, which examines such questions as drawing a picture with a single stroke and coloring maps.Plant biotechnologyStudents deepen their knowledge of genetic engineering using plants within the themes of tissue culture of plants, gene transfer technology, development of genetically modied crops, and further ongoing safety and technical issues.Power Electronicsis course enables students to learn about power electronics — electricity conversion control technology that uses power semiconductors. is technology has been adopted recently by systems that handle electric power, including those that drive the motors of electric trains, robots, and other machines, as well as renewable energy systems.NeuroinformaticsStudents study mechanisms of intracellular and intracellular signal transduction and their changes in relation to disease, and the construction of networks by neurons and their application.Biodiversity StudiesStudents study the process of evolution in living organisms as the organisms adapt to environmental changes in order to evolve into various species. Based on the knowledge gained, students examine rapid changes in the environment.OptoelectronicsStudents are taught the basic structures of optoelectronic devices, such as semiconductor lasers and photo detectors, and the principles of operation, as well as optical ber communications and other systems and their applications.Information & Communication EngineeringStudents understand the general principles of information and communications, such as the conguration of communication networks and their architecture, data communication control methods, and trac theory by such media as cable/radio communications and the Internet. Soft MatterStudents learn the unique characteristics of soft matter, such as liquid crystal, gel, and surface-active agents, which have properties intermediate of those of solids and liquids, by linking them with their chemical structures and physical characteristics.Machine DesignStudents learn in concrete terms the process of drawing industrial solutions that satisfy performance and functional requirements when they design and develop new equipment and systems based on users’ needs.Production EngineeringStudents learn process systems, such as the design of factory layout and production lines, which involve the ow of goods from raw materials to nished products, and management systems, such as production planning and inventory control, which involve the ow of information. Mathematical eory of Cryptography & Codes & Information SecurityEncoding and encryption technologies are used to ensure ecient use of information networks and maintain their reliability and security. Students learn the underlying theory using error-correcting codes and key cryptosystems as examples.Organic Chemistry of HeteroatomsStudents learn methods to synthesize organic compounds that have the properties, reactivities, and functional characteristics of heteroatoms. Such compounds are useful for the development of pharmaceuticals. Physics of SuperconductivityTo understand superconducting phenomena, students learn the fundamentals of electric conduction properties and superconductivity at low temperature as well as master the knowledge that is the basis of designing superconducting materials. Furthermore, students learn about engineering applications that will play roles in next-generation energy.Welfare & Informatione aim of this course is to deepen students’ understanding of support for physically challenged persons from the viewpoint of information science. Students think of ways to communicate with persons with hearing impairment or speech disorder, and analyze the relationships between current welfare/health care and information.Green ChemistryIn order to minimize the impact of chemicals on the environment in all processes ranging from manufacture to disposal, students learn about the necessity of discontinuing their use, ways to make them harmless and reduce their generation, and how to utilize energy eciently. Quantum Statistical MechanicsStudents learn how to handle groups of particles that follow the principles of quantum mechanics — a body of knowledge that is indispensable to understand how materials, particularly microscopic ones, behave at low temperatures. Focus is given to metals and semiconductors in order to deepen students’ understanding of materials.Human CommunicationStudents learn all aspects of human communication, from the fundamentals of communication — conveying messages in the brain to each other through “words” — to human/machine interfaces and information and communications networks. Cell function engineering Students learn about the materials production capabilities useful for environmental management and human life and about the processes such as metabolism and their application, using mainly microorganisms with diverse metabolic pathways despite having a simple regime and a small genome.NanomaterialStudents learn specically about nanomaterials, which are discussed at the same level as nanotechnology, a technology based on new concepts that are expected to produce new functions.Simulation EngineeringStudents learn from various angles simulation technologies that reproduce reality in a virtual environment, and conduct various experiments. e topics discussed include the types of simulation, such as discrete and continuous ones, and their validity.Basic Mathematical FinanceMathematical nance is used for risk management and nancial business, such as exchange, interest rates, derivatives, and insurance. Students use basic concepts of the probability theory to learn the fundamentals of mathematical nance with focus on the determination of option prices.Examples of specialized courses for the key themesFeatures of the Three DepartmentsLearning of Science and TechnologyDivisions oered by the Graduate SchoolBiological ScienceMechanical EngineeringApplied ChemistryInformation ScienceChemistryElectrical and Electronics EngineeringPhysicsMathematics 17