Materials and Information Sciences: New interdisciplinary graduate major for doctoral students launched in April 2025

Science Tokyo has established the Graduate Major in Materials and Information Sciences, a new interdisciplinary program for doctoral students. The new graduate major was launched in April 2025.

Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), one of Science Tokyo’s predecessor universities, established the Tokyo Tech Academy for Convergence of Materials and Informatics (TAC-MI) in April 2019 under the auspices of MEXT’s Doctoral Program for World-leading Innovative & Smart Education (WISE). The new Graduate Major in Materials and Information Sciences was launched after significant developments were implemented in TAC-MI.

The Materials and Information Sciences program empowers students to become “multitalented individuals” who utilize informatics to conceptualize new ideas through multifaceted thinking and a broad perspective, as well as contemplate new social services when approaching original research on materials and informatics. These individuals are expected to create new industries that link materials and informatics to build a sustainable society.

Although monotsukuri, the unique Japanese manufacturing industry, remains strong, growth necessary to continue to lead the world has become difficult using conventional ways of thinking. Due to advances in informatics such as data science, simulation, and machine learning, the discovery and design of new materials are becoming possible. The new era allows market-specific optimization and production management of devices and processes as well as the creation of social services from consumer trends. However, traditional materials research is conducted at a specific level such as the molecular material or device and process level. A broader perspective that encompasses the eventual social services has yet to be fostered. Consequently, graduate-level education must aim to converge materials science and informatics through a broad perspective from molecules to social services.

Through the Graduate Major in Materials and Information Sciences, Science Tokyo provides practical education with an eye on social services in collaboration with partners from industry, and enables students to connect information and materials by utilizing information sciences, multifaceted thinking, and broad perspectives. The Institute offers scholarships and research assistant (RA) salaries that provide students enrolled in this graduate major with financial independence as they focus on their studies.

Through the Materials and Information Sciences curriculum, Science Tokyo aims to cultivate next-generation leaders capable of utilizing materials and information science to drive innovation.

• Introduction to Graduate Major in Materials and Information Sciences
• Main features

Students wishing to enroll in this major must undergo an eligibility screening prior to entering the doctoral program. Applications for the eligibility screening can be made from the first year of the master’s program.

• Details on financial support, curriculum, and student recruitment

This graduate major adopts a unique system of partnership with industrial member
companies. Advisors in partner companies provide advice in education and event programs, and mentor students to expand their social views and develop them as multitalented individuals. Industrial partner companies also create opportunities for company researchers to join lectures and exercises held in conjunction with Graduate Major in Materials and Information Sciences, advancing talent development in materials and information sciences.

Science Tokyo actively welcomes companies to join as valued members and collaborators.

• Partnership with industrial member companies