The University of Tokyo, as the strongest university in Japan, has a wide range of information science disciplines, and most of the research is concentrated in the School of Information Science. Today, Xiaoyuan will guide you through the whole process of the information science exam of Tokyo University!
I hope to give everyone who is still trying to prepare for the exam a little motivation~
Introduction to the written examination of information at the University of Tokyo
Mathematics and mathematics must be done in three ways, the old three things of computer people: linear algebra, analysis (differential calculus, ordinary differential equations), probability and statistics.
专业课七选四作答(11门随机出,Information Mathematics、Numerical Computation、Discrete Mathematics、Algorithms and Computational Complexity、Formal Languages、Logic Programming Language Theory、Computer Architecture、Operating Systems、Digital Circuits、Machine Learning)
It is recommended to refer to the written test range of other schools in the same batch, and if there are the same subjects, it will save time for the preparation of the exam.
Written test focus
mathematics
There is 50 minutes for each question in Mathematics. I feel that the scope of the exam is very wide, but the difficulty is not too high, and it is recommended to brush up on the past 10 years if you have the conditions, and if you have enough time, it is recommended to take the two subjects of numerical calculation and discrete mathematics. You can summarize the methodology of this advanced knowledge point through a year of past questions.
(1) Linear algebra is a relatively stable problem.
● Eigenvalue decomposition calculates the power of the matrix
●特征多项式/Cayley-Hamilton Theorem/Frobenius Theorem （11.16.20）
●Secondary type (14.15.17.22)
●数列/Fibonacci （09.13.16）
●Matrix derivative (15.18.20)
●SVD decomposition (12.18)
(2) Analysis (differential calculus, ordinary differential equations)
The test center is the most varied and covers the widest range of questions, and the background of this question is basically irregular. Including mathematical analysis, multicalculus, multivariate calculus, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, systems of differential equations, complex variable functions, and more.
Before you write a question, be sure to read through the English and Japanese test papers, and don't miss the question information because you have missed a few words.
(3) The review of probability theory should pay special attention to the principle.
The test centers are scattered, and classical generalizations, expected variance calculations, order statistics, Markov and random variable functions are more commonly tested. The statistical part is mainly hypothesis testing and interval estimation, and at most the maximum likelihood estimation is tested, which is not very difficult, but it is a little difficult to understand these concepts for the first time if you have not been exposed to it.
Specialized courses
Generally speaking, data structures and algorithms are required in professional courses, and in recent years, formal languages and automata have also appeared frequently, and computer composition principles, operating systems, and digital circuits %80 are likely to be questioned.
For example, it is recommended to review the previous required exams for machine learning, and still have time to study or review. The questions are relatively random every year, and there will be a possibility that the subjects that are ready to review will not be released this year, so you need to pay attention!!
(1) Data structure and algorithm
A course that compares comprehension. The professional course of the private school played a role in sorting out the test points, and the teacher recommended that I usually use pseudocode and C++ to implement common algorithms in pseudocode and C++, and use code to clarify ideas, but not too specific implementation. Therefore, it is almost possible to write silently in the examination room. Except for the past questions of the University of Tokyo in previous years, no additional questions have been done.
(2) Formal language and automata
There are recommended books on the university's website. A must-see!
(3) Digital circuits
The difficulty of digital electricity is to understand the logic described in the stem. As long as you write the correct logical expression for the combinatorial loop and draw the correct state transition diagram for the timing loop, you will basically not be able to do anything wrong. I still recommend the book Digital Design and Computer Architecture on the official website of Tokyo University, and all the content that has been tested by Reason's CS can be covered by this book.
(4) The principle of computer composition
The main test points are pipeline (16), cache (12.15.22), virtual memory (14.19.22), and there are many things that need to be memorized in the group, and the answers asked in the past should be memorized as much as possible. For example, what are the types of cache misses, the whole process of solving a TLB miss, etc.
(5) Operating system
When reviewing, follow the recommended books on the official website. The book Operating system concepts has tested the original questions in it. Students who have more time suggest reading the whole book.
The space is limited, the scope of professional courses is too wide, and the focus of other professional courses, students can consult Xiaoyuan for specific details...
Written test method and recommended books
(1) Terada Fumiyuki's "Linear Algebra", complete the example problems and after-class exercises, and skip individual chapters according to the review time.
②Linear Algebra and Its Applications, 4th edition
(3) Brush questions, practice calculations and skills: Differential Integral Terada Fumiyuki (comprehensive calculation ability), Weakness Overcoming Differential Calculus (It's good to practice integral calculations), Little Orange Book (simpler than Little Yellow Book, do it first), Little Yellow Book Calculus ODE part (don't do it if it's too difficult)
(4) The textbook recommends using MIT's probability theory textbook "Introduction to Probability", which can basically cover the test points in chapters 2, 3, 4 and 7.
(5) The textbook for digital circuits is Shuichi Sakai's 'Introduction to Theoretical Circuits'.
(6) 计组是坂井修一的『Computer Architecture』
(7) The professional course recommends all the official recommended books on the official website of Tokyo University!!
Interview presentation
The interview is not long, ranging from 5 minutes to about 15 minutes. It's pretty much some basic question. Professors ask questions, and the interviews are very random, and most of them revolve around the research proposal, and they often ask what you think of according to what you say. However, because I have been conducting mock interviews many times with a private school, I have covered almost every question I may encounter.
TIPS: You can choose a more famous (slightly controversial) paper in the professor's research direction in advance to read intensively, and then write down the title and year a little.
Introduction to interview questions
1. Introduce yourself
2. How do you feel about the written test, and how many points do you think you can score?
3. Briefly talk about your current situation (whether you graduated or not)
4. Do you know the first choice professor and the main research direction of his lab?
5. Do you have any plans for a PhD after graduation? Why?
6. Summarize the research content and the idea of the research proposal in one minute
SOME TIPS FOR EXAM PREPARATION
(1) Don't take it lightly if you have a good foundation, and don't deny yourself if you have a poor foundation
(2) TOEFL score of 90 or above (there are many real questions in private schools).
(3) Because you can only take the written test after passing the book examination of the University of Tokyo, the book review is largely based on the research plan, and the background and language scores are secondary, so you must prepare the research plan well.
(4) Familiarize yourself with the requirements of the fundraising.
(5) Contact the professor at least 3 months in advance.
(6) Students with poor foundation should not brush the questions when they come up, and must read the textbook first to learn the knowledge points
(7) You must participate in the exercises of the private school, and discuss the problems with other classmates and class teachers in the group.
The above is the preparation sharing of the information of the University of Tokyo, students who want to know more are welcome to consult Xiaoyuan, and I wish you all to pass the dream school as soon as possible~