Infrastructure Management Program (IMP)

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

Yokohama National University has for many years been instrumental in providing university graduates with opportunities to further their post-graduate work.

The University’s special emphasis on the promotion of international exchanges with overseas universities has been stimulated by the role of Yokohama, a major port and the second largest city in Japan, as a point of contact with other countries. Yokohama is the vibrant heart of a civilization which has received direct influence from the West and then integrated these influences into the development of present-day Japan.

The City of Yokohama has a well-developed infrastructure network. Because of its central location, Yokohama has had excellent access to theoretical and practical information available through various international agencies of the government, and Yokohama National University has been closely involved in issues of infrastructure management. Much of this experience and knowledge is applicable to the infrastructure development needs of developing countries.

The Infrastructure Management Program is formally administered by the Graduate School of Urban Innovation, but it is in fact jointly planned and conducted by all of YNU’s graduate schools. In working toward a Master’s Degree through the Infrastructure Management Program, students will study in areas associated with the Graduate School of Urban Innovation, the graduate schools of Education, Engineering, International Social Sciences and Environmental and Information Sciences as well as the International Student Center.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Infrastructure Management Program consists of a preparatory training period followed by study in a specialized curriculum. In considering students for admission, both administrative experience and the results of examinations measuring academic achievement have been considered. Furthermore, each student will work with a professor who will serve as an advisor and carry out individualized instruction throughout the entire two-year program.

For more information, please refer to the following documents:
IMP Curriculum Overview 2024

DEGREE

Degree titles can be selected from the following:

◆ Master of Philosophy
◆ Master of Philosophy in Infrastructure Management

PREPARATORY COURSES

The preparatory training period includes nine noncredit courses designed to convey basic analytical and language skills as well as provide an introduction to Japanese culture and the history of development in Japan.

SPECIALIZED COURSES

In order to provide students with the up-to-date knowledge they needed in infrastructure management, we offer 18 specialized courses from which students must select at least 9 (minimum 18 credits). This enables students to tailor their programs to their own research interests. In addition to such core courses students can take selective related specialized courses that are offered by other graduate schools. The minimum number of credits required for graduation is 18.

ELECTIVE RELATED SPECIALIZED COURSES

With consent of the academic advisor, students can take related specialized courses offered by the Graduate School of Engineering, Urban Innovation, International and Business Law, and Economics. Students can take any number of courses, but no more than 10 credits in these courses can be included for calculation of credits required for graduation.

PRACTICAL PROJECT LEARNING

YNU offers site observation tour for various infrastructure development and management, such as highways, railways, urban development, ports, airports, water supply, electric power generations, telecommunications, sewage treatment and so on, to understand the issues and actual operations.

SEMINARS

YNU offers special seminars on current issues given by staff members of the various development assistance institutions and by YNU. Credits can be earned for taking part in a prescribed number of these lecture seminars.

THESIS: RESEARCH AND GUIDANCE

After completing the specialized curriculum, every student must prepare a thesis based on research in an area selected under the guidance of an advisor. Since thesis are written at the same time that students are engaged in practicum and trainings, students may use their practicum experiences as a basis for comparing infrastructure conditions in Japan to conditions in their own countries, and from this comparison develop proposals for infrastructure projects in their home countries. Thesis includes Research and Guidance when counting credits.

PRACTICUM AND TRAINING PROGRAM

Students can also choose a training program offered by government agencies or private firms in order to be exposed to the actual operations of infrastructure management. Each course consists of a short lecture period followed by a training and site visits which are conducted mainly through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and other government agencies. Each student is free to choose the course preferred, subject only to the advisor’s judgment that the student’s preparation is suitable to the course selected.