College of Policy and Planning Sciences, University of Tsukuba

Today's businesses and organizations are moving forward at a rapid pace by basing their management, operation and decision-making on IT. As the society is flooded with information, we are forced to make decisions more swiftly and appropriately than ever. In order to meet the needs of the times, this major course fosters individuals who can obtain a clear and reasonable understanding of the problems and propose scientific solutions for them.

Providing the foundation for these abilities are the knowledge and technical abilities in management, IT and mathematical engineering. Management Science and Engineering offers a highly diversified curriculum that enables students to learn these three areas simultaneously. Students may choose to graduate either as a generalist in management science and engineering after acquiring knowledge in those three areas in a well-balanced manner, or as a specialist after focusing on one of the three specialized areas, such as IT, and gaining technical knowledge at a graduate school.

In any case, students can obtain knowledge in the three areas of management, IT and mathematical engineering. This is quite different from conventional curricula where subjects are categorized into either humanities or science.

The classes for Management Science and Engineering consist of three specialized areas and "basic areas for management science and engineering," which provide the foundation for learning in the specialized areas. In order to manage an organization, knowledge of the organization is essential. What kind of organization are companies? How do humans act in the market? Why is the financial industry undergoing a rapid change right now? The management area imparts knowledge of these matters. In addition, data gathering and analysis are required for proposing scientific management methods. In order to achieve this task, students acquire essential computer literacy, such as e-mail and Web search methods, and learn information processing technologies, such as computer languages, operating systems and statistical processing software, in the IT area. They also learn mathematical analysis methods, such as mathematical planning, applied statistics and applied probability theories in the mathematical engineering area.

Programs that enable students to apply in a comprehensive manner knowledge gained in these areas are also available. In practical training in each area in the major subject, instructors strive to create a learning environment that enables students to not only acquire skills in each area through practical training but also become constantly aware of the changes of the times, by not confining students to desktop learning. Examples include implementing internship programs (supervised work experience) for interested students and inviting graduates who are active at the frontline of the society to give lectures for case studies.

Career pursued after graduation

Some 25% of the graduates proceed to the master's or doctor's course at graduate schools. The major places of employment include manufacturers (electric machinery, computers, etc.), service providers (information, communications, management consultancy, etc.) and financial institutions (for banking, life insurance, etc.).