Possessing the human resources necessary for meeting a wide variety of needs in engineering fields, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering nurtures high-level engineers and researchers who are able to develop technologies from an interdisciplinary perspective, rather than from a stereotyped viewpoint. They are not restricted to just mechanical engineering, but are also proficient in the fields of aerospace, material, electronic, information, and environmental engineering. Our department allows students to acquire high-levels of expertise and engage in original research; this enables them to develop so that they can aggressively assume leadership in solving problems. Specifically, students are trained to acquire the following:

• A broad, fundamental knowledge of mechanical engineering, and also advanced expertise in applied mathematics, mechanics, and physics, which provides a foundation for entering advanced interdisciplinary engineering fields such as space engineering
• A flexible way of thinking and insight to view problems macroscopically by considering the harmony between the natural environment and human society, and also leadership to solve problems systematically.

The purpose of the doctoral program is to develop researchers capable of performing advanced research in specialist fields and meeting social needs by applying the knowledge and abilities mastered in the masters program. By carrying out high-level and leading research activities in engineering fields autonomously from both specialist and interdisciplinary viewpoints, students will be able to make remarkable research achievements in mechanical and space engineering disciplines. They will make steady progress by creatively applying effective techniques to various research subjects to meet various social needs.

The department consists of two courses, one in Mechanical Engineering and the other in Applied Mathematics and Physics, as outlined below.

(a) Mechanical Engineering Course

Students will acquire more advanced fundamental knowledge and techniques that build on their mechanical engineering background (obtained through education and research in undergraduate and Master’s programs) through various courses and the research indicated below. They will achieve this while considering future-oriented mechanical technologies that concur with the three key themes of people, environment, and machinery. Our areas of research and development include the following: 1) development of novel materials including structural and functional ones, in addition to research on new material evaluation methods; 2) development of technologies for enhancing the performance and reliability of design and production systems, in addition to research and development of machining of hard-to-cut materials and precision processing of curved surfaces; 3) diagnostic techniques for machine components, in addition to research and development on advanced control of mechanical systems and robotics; 4) thermal energy conversion in engines, and issues related to the fluid dynamics of airplanes and other technologies.

(b) Applied Mathematics and Physics Course

In a wide range of physical engineering disciplines from mechanical and aerospace engineering to the development of novel materials, this course develops researchers capable of analyzing physical phenomena and utilizing them in engineering applications, through education and research on scientific technologies by considering the needs of people, society, and the environment. To this end, we will promote education and research in mathematical engineering and physics to investigate fundamental problems in engineering and physics based on mathematical and numerical analyses and in engineering sciences to aim various applications to physical engineering problems. More specifically, we will study and do research in hydrodynamics, condensed matter physics, nonlinear dynamics, and their integrated fields, and also in system analysis of nanomechanics, biology, thermodynamics, and related fields.