Detailed descriptions for the two Master Courses

Below are details of the two master courses for students enrolled in the 2012 academic year or later.

Ideal graduates of SDM

SDM fosters world leaders capable of designing solutions to large-scale, complex systems which take account of interactions between multiple systemic factors. SDM also trains students to manage problem -solving projects in response to modern challenges associated with highly complex and large scale technological and social systems. Such leaders must have (1) understanding of the basics of system design and management, (2) group-project management skills, (3) deep expertise in specific areas, and (4) beside these three skills, an ability to comprehend a broad range of issues through the system approach. SDM graduates students with holistic comprehension and ability of these skills.

Eligibility for applicants: Professionals and new graduates

Education structure: (1) Core subjects + (2) Design Project + (3) Research + (4) Major subjects

Ideal graduates: Leaders who have acquired both (3) individual research skills and (4) design and management skills which approach a broad range of issues through the systems perspective acquired in (1) and (2).

Rationale for a two-course system

Based on an enquiry into student and societal needs since the establishment of SDM, it has become apparent that student needs towards (3) research subjects and (4) major subjects vary; some students prefer to conduct research thoroughly while others prefer to place greater priority in honing the ability their systems approach and perspective through lecture work. In some situations, professionals with expertise, particularly those funded by employers, may prefer to work on project-based research, rather than on more strictly academic research focused on a wider comprehension of systems. In order to respond to these diverse student and societal needs, SDM has established two master courses, Research-Intensive Course - with somewhat greater emphasis on (2) and (3) - and the Learning -Intensive Course - focusing on (1) and (4).

Overview of two courses

Course Title	Research-Intensive Course			Learning-Intensive Course
Balance between Research(Gray) and lectures (White) (*1) Subjects and number of units
	Research on System Design and Management(8 credits)	Design Project (4 credits)	Core subjects (Required) (8 credits), Other major Subjects (8subjects 16 credits)	Design project (4 credits), Project Design and Management (2 credits) Total 6 credits	Core subjects (Required) (8 credits), Other Major subjects (16 subjects 32credits)
	Total 8 credits	Total 4 credits	Total 24 credits	Total 6 credits	Total 40 credits
	（*1）　Ideal graduates are leaders who have acquired both (3) individual research skills and (4) design and management skills to comprehend issues through the system approach after having acquired the systems perspective in (1) and (2). The title of the master's degree (system design and management) remains unchanged, although the emphasis between Research subjects (2)(3) and lecture subjects(1)(4) is slightly different.
Number of credits required to graduate （*2） >	36 credits			46 credit
Number of credits required to graduate （*2） >	（*2）　The number of required credits are different as the volume of coursework required to earn credits is greater for Research subjects (Research on System Design and Management, Project Design and Management) than lecture subjects.
Eligibility for applicants	New graduates and professionals interested in research (no restrictions on number of years in work)			Professionals with expertise (at least three years of work experience)
Degree awarded	Master of System Design and Management or Master of System Engineering			Master of System Design and Management
Ideal graduates	At first, master basics of the SDM approach and perspective from (1) Core subjects and (2) Design Project.
Ideal graduates	New graduates who wish to conduct (3) Research thoroughly and acquire a systems perspective from 4) Major subjects. Professionals who wish to conduct (3) Research thoroughly, eventually pursue a PhD, or strengthen their specific expertise can acquire (3) Research skills and (4) a systems perspective by completing this course.			Students with professional research skills can acquire a broader systems perspective by conducting a (2) Design Project and (3) Project Design and Management as well as (4) various major subjects.