Program introduction

Program name

Global Frontier in Life Science

Educational Philosophy

We expect to develop the next generation of interdisciplinary leaders in the field of life sciences by providing the best academic research environment under the supervision of the finest graduate educators and PhD advisers. We emphasize the importance of the accomplishment of a research endeavor as well as academic performance in lecture, seminar, and laboratory practice. At the same time, the students are trained for developing the ability to discuss and debate scientific matters and research outcomes. Students are also trained to have wide vision and flexible thinking in life sciences, and are encouraged to go abroad to attend scientific meetings.
From 2011, The Graduate School of Biostudies, together with The Graduate Schools of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science, launched "Global Frontier in Life Science", a new joint educational program for Doctoral and Master's students as part of K.U. Profile. This program, "Global Frontier in Life Science", will be held entirely in English, including the entrance examinations, lectures, experiments, and discussions.
International as well as domestic students are welcome. In particular, the School welcomes those who show a respect for life and a desire to create a comprehensive and cutting-edge field beyond existing disciplinary boundaries in the life sciences.

How to enroll

1) Doctoral Program in "Global Frontier in Life Science"
Each graduate school hold independent entrance examinations for this program, and accept up to ten applicants. The entrance examination for the Doctoral Program in the Graduate School of Biostudies is scheduled in July and details are provided in the admission guidelines that can be downloaded from our website.
Admission Guidelines:
http://www.lif.kyoto-u.ac.jp/Global_frontier_in_life_science/guidelines/index.html
The academic year starts on April 1st, or October 1st for those who cannot obtain "study visa" by the end of March. Thus, applicants can select the starting date of either April 1st or October 1st. At the time of application, prospective students must identify which laboratory head will direct their doctoral research. Applicants can apply for only one lab. Thus, applicants should contact the lab head and fully discuss about potential research activities and availability before filing the application.
Admission examinations for the Doctoral program of “Global Frontier in Life Science” consist of a documentation screening and an oral examination (interview) to evaluate applicants’ knowledge of their field, research competency, logical thinking skills, and the ability to discuss science in English. Please note that applicants are NOT required to be physically present in Japan for the examination.

2) Master's Program in "Global Frontier in Life Science"
Our entrance examination for the Master’s Program of the Graduate School of Biostudies is scheduled in July and details are provided in the admission guidelines that can be downloaded from our website.
Admission Guidelines: http://www.lif.kyoto-u.ac.jp/Global_frontier_in_life_science/guidelines/index.html
The academic year starts on October 1st, or April 1st for those who cannot obtain "study visa" by the end of September. Thus, applicants can select the starting date of either October 1st or April 1st in the next year. Applicants to the Master's program can apply for up to two labs, in which they wish to conduct research. Thus, applicants should familiarize themselves with faculty members' research interests and contact lab head(s) to fully discuss prospective research activities and availability before filing the application.
Admission examinations for the Master’s program of “Global Frontier in Life Science” consist of: 1) a documentation screening and 2) an oral examination (interview). Please note that applicants are NOT required to be physically present in Japan for the examination.

Education Curriculum (2014-2015)

Lectures held in English
1) Doctoral program
Offered by the Graduate School of Biostudies
・ Frontier in Life Science (compulsory subject: 1 credit)
・ Advanced English Discussion and Writing in Life Science I/II (1 credit)

2) Master's program
Offered by the Graduate School of Biostudies
・ Life Science: from Basics to Applications, from Molecular Biology to Systems Biology (compulsory subject: 1 credit)
・研究の原点とルール: Beginning Science (partially offered in English, 1 credit)
・Global Frontier in Life Science A (2 credits)
・Global Frontier in Life Science B (1 credit)
・Advanced Molecular and Cell Biology I/II (2 credits)
・Cancer Biology (2 credits)
・Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms in Neural Development and Regeneration (1 credit)
・Basic English Discussion in Life Science I/II (1 credit)

Requirements for completing programs

1) Requirements for Completing Doctoral Program
・Integrated/Systemic Life Science Special Exercises (compulsory: 8 credits)
・Compulsory subject (1 credit)
・Elective subjects offered by the Graduate School of Biostudies and the other school (1 credit or more)
・For graduation, the student must attend 3 years or longer and have 10 credits or more. It is also necessary to pass probation and an examination (thesis defense) upon completion of a PhD thesis written under the supervision of faculty.

2) Requirements for Completing Master’s Program
・Life Science Experiments and Exercises 1 (compulsory: 10 credits)
・Life Science Experiments and Exercises 2 (compulsory: 10 credits)
・Compulsory subject (1 credit)
・Elective subjects offered by the Graduate School of Biostudies and the other school (9 credits or more)
・For graduation, the student must attend 2 years or longer and have 30 credits or more. It is also necessary to pass probation and an examination (thesis defense) upon completion of a Master’s thesis written under the supervision of faculty.

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