Policy

Admissions Policy

Master’s Program

As an advanced discipline that holds the key to the future of humankind, the life sciences today are undergoing a major evolutionary change. In response to this global trend, the Graduate School of Biostudies was founded in 1999 as Japan’s first independent graduate school focused on the life sciences with the objective of building a world-class center for research and developing individuals who can lead the life sciences field into the next generation. Our school has engineered a true fusion of cutting-edge areas in several existing fields. By harnessing the common language of “cells, molecules, and genes” that together form the fundamental principles of life, we have developed an integrated understanding of diverse life forms and the environments they help shape, and have launched innovative efforts in research and education that will produce a new set of values for the future and dignity of life.

To meet the diverse expectations of society for advances in the life sciences, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, our school seeks students from a broad spectrum of backgrounds who share these ideals of our school, who possess basic academic skills and research aptitudes in the life sciences, and who demonstrate a strong sense of ethics and responsibility in their academic research. We especially welcome students who possess a pioneering spirit to help propel the comprehensive and advanced branches of the life sciences, free from preconceptions, while fully appreciating the dignity of life. Accordingly, the Graduate School of Biostudies endeavors to cultivate individuals with the following attributes:

  1. Researchers ready to discover, or to shed fresh light on, fundamental principles of life, who will pioneer new areas of the life sciences;
  2. Researchers and engineers committed to global environmental conservation and gains in human health, welfare, and well-being, who are ready to make social contributions through roles in public and private research institutions;
  3. Educators and working professionals with a broad-based understanding of the varied phenomena of life in general, who are ready to make social contributions through roles in education, industry, the news media, and government;
  4. Researchers, educators, engineers, and working professionals who possess strong communication skills that enable them to hold discussions with researchers and others from Japan and around the world in life science–related fields.

The entrance exam will comprise achievement tests that include an assessment of the applicant’s ability to think logically in English, a skill that is required to read and analyze an article published in an international journal; an assessment of the applicant’s general knowledge of molecular biology cell biology , biochemistry, and other life science fields; an assessment of the applicant’s fundamental knowledge as required to pursue his or her intended field of study; an assessment of the applicant’s judgement, thinking ability, communication skills, initiative, and ethical perspective. Admissions decisions will be made based on the applicant’s overall performance on these exams.

Doctoral Program

As an advanced discipline that holds the key to the future of humankind, the life sciences today are undergoing a major evolutionary change. In response to this global trend, the Graduate School of Biostudies was founded in 1999 as Japan’s first independent graduate school focused on life sciences with the objective of building a world-class center for research and developing individuals who can lead the life sciences field into the next generation. Our school has engineered a true fusion of cutting-edge areas in several existing fields. By harnessing the common language of “cells, molecules, and genes” that together form the fundamental principles of life, we have developed an integrated understanding of diverse life forms and the environments they help shape, and have launched innovative efforts in research and education that will produce a new set of values for the future and dignity of life.

To meet the diverse expectations of society for advances in the life sciences, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, our school seeks students from a broad spectrum of backgrounds who share these ideals of our school, who possess broad academic knowledge and advanced expertise gained through their master’s education, who possess strong research ability, and who demonstrate an even stronger sense of ethics and responsibility in their academic research. We especially welcome students who possess a pioneering spirit to help propel the comprehensive and advanced branches of the life sciences, free from preconceptions, while fully appreciating the dignity of life. Accordingly, the Graduate School of Biostudies endeavors to cultivate individuals with the following attributes:

  1. Researchers ready to discover, or shed fresh light on, fundamental principles of life, who will produce world-class research results in new areas of the life sciences;
  2. Researchers and advanced engineers committed to global environmental conservation and gains in human health, welfare, and well-being, who are ready to assume a leading role in public and private research institutions;
  3. Educational leaders and high-level working professionals with a broad-based understanding of the varied phenomena of life, who are ready to assume a leading role in education, industry, the news media, and government;
  4. Researchers, educational leaders, advanced engineers, and high-level working professionals equipped with strong logical explanation and communication skills, who can convey their ideas broadly to others in Japan and around the world and assume a leading role in a variety of fields.

The entrance exam will comprise achievement tests that include an assessment of the applicant’s ability to think logically in English, which is required for international communication; a presentation of the applicant’s research findings during their master’s program or elsewhere; and an oral exam to assess the applicant’s judgement, thinking ability, communication skills, initiative, and ethical perspective. Admissions decisions will be made based on the applicant’s overall performance on these exams.

Curriculum Policies

Master’s Program

The Master’s Program offers courses that appropriately combine lectures, advanced studies, practical training, lab experiments, and seminars on specialized subjects in order to achieve the objectives set forth in the Diploma Policy. Courses conducted in English are also offered for international students. The curriculum is specifically designed in accordance with the following principles.

  1. The curriculum is organized and delivered to cultivate broad scholarly knowledge spanning all domains of the life sciences, research capability in students’ field of specialization, and specialized knowledge that will provide a foundation of competence for occupations that demand advanced expertise, based on the basic academic capabilities and specializations developed through education in the undergraduate program, as well as to enable the pursuit of cross-disciplinary study unencumbered by existing fields of specialization, which allows students to apply broad visions to put their own research into perspective and build systems of knowledge. Moreover, the curriculum includes practical training, lab experiments, workshops, and tutorials held in individual research labs that are designed to cultivate competence in research implementation, a capacity to explain research findings theoretically, communication skills, and firm ethical integrity and a sense of responsibility in academic research. Learning outcomes in each course are evaluated through written examinations, report examinations, and the outcomes of workshops, lab experiments, and practical training.
  2. Emphasis is placed on students’ proactive pursuit of a research theme that contributes academically or practically to the life sciences, mediated by research guidance and practical education, and leads to a master’s thesis with theoretical value. This thesis is assessed by a panel of three examiners in accordance with the Diploma Policy.

The curriculum created on the basis of the above policies is presented in curriculum maps, and the details of each individual course are clearly stated in the syllabus.

Doctoral Program

The Doctoral Program is comprised of lab-based research guidance and lectures designed to cultivate greater breadth of scholarly knowledge and advanced expertise in order to achieve the objectives set forth in the Diploma Policy. Courses conducted in English are also offered for international students. The curriculum is specifically designed in accordance with the following principles.

  1. The curriculum is organized and delivered to further develop broad scholarly knowledge and advanced, specialized knowledge cultivated through education in the Master’s Program, and to enable students to acquire the basic capabilities required of an independent researcher who can perform well in an international setting. Moreover, research guidance is provided through special seminars and special workshops in individual research labs to cultivate advanced competence in research planning and implementation, a capacity to explain research findings theoretically, communication skills, and firm ethical integrity and a strong sense of responsibility in academic research. Learning outcomes in each course are evaluated through written examinations, report examinations, and the outcomes of workshops, lab experiments, and practical training.
  2. Special emphasis is placed on students’ proactive pursuit of a research topic that contributes to an academic or practical area of the life sciences, mediated by research guidance and practical education, and leads to a doctoral dissertation that contributes to the generation of new knowledge. This dissertation is assessed by a panel of three examiners and one or more expert examiner in accordance with the Diploma Policy.

The curriculum created on the basis of the above policies is presented in curriculum maps, and the details of each individual course are clearly stated in the syllabus.

Diploma Conferral Policies

Master’s Program

As an advanced discipline that holds the key to the future of humankind, the life sciences are currently undergoing a major evolutionary change. The Graduate School of Biostudies seeks to respond to this global change by building a world-class center for research and by training human resources to lead the life sciences field into the next generation. Our school has engineered a true fusion of cutting-edge areas in several existing fields and harnessed the common languages of cellular and molecular biology and genetics that together articulate the fundamental principles of life. Furthermore, it has developed an integrated understanding of diverse life forms and the environments they help shape, adding the perspective of mathematical science, and has launched innovative efforts in research and education that will define a new set of values for the future and dignity of life.

To meet the diverse expectations of society for advances in the life sciences, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, the Graduate School of Biostudies confers the degree of Master of Life Sciences on students who maintain enrollment for the requisite period, complete curricular courses, earn the prescribed number or more of credits in accordance with the Curriculum Policy, and pass a review and examination of a master’s thesis prepared after undergoing the required research guidance. A further prerequisite for degree conferment is the attainment of the following:

  1. Broader-based scholarly knowledge; research capability in their field of specialization; and advanced, specialized knowledge required for occupations that demand advanced expertise
  2. Firm ethical integrity and a sense of responsibility in academic research in the life sciences field
  3. Appropriate capabilities in research implementation in order to set topics and themes based on scholarly knowledge, techniques, and skills in the life sciences field, and to achieve solutions and development thereof
  4. Appropriate skills in theoretical explanation and communication required to promote one’s research findings to researchers in one’s own specialization and fields related thereto, and to deepen mutual understanding
  5. A master’s thesis, presented with theoretical rigor and clarity, with appropriate setting of research goals, planning, and execution of experimental work related thereto and discussion in regard to the findings thereof

Doctoral Program

As an advanced discipline that holds the key to the future of humankind, the life sciences are currently undergoing a major evolutionary change. The Graduate School of Biostudies seeks to respond to this global change by building a world-class center for research and training human resources to lead the life sciences field into the next generation. Our school has engineered a true fusion of cutting-edge areas in several existing fields and harnessed the common languages of cellular and molecular biology and genetics that together articulate the fundamental principles of life. Furthermore, it has developed an integrated understanding of diverse life forms and the environments they help shape, adding the perspective of mathematical science, and has launched innovative efforts in research and education that will define a new set of values for the future and dignity of life.

To meet the diverse expectations of society for advances in the life sciences, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, the Graduate School of Biostudies confers the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Life Sciences on students who maintain enrollment for the requisite period, complete curricular courses, earn the prescribed number or more of credits in accordance with the Curriculum Policy, and pass a review and examination of a doctoral dissertation prepared after undergoing the required research guidance. A further prerequisite for degree conferment is the attainment of the following:

  1. Broad-based scholarly knowledge and advanced, specialized knowledge to engage as independent researchers or lead careers in advanced professional occupations
  2. Firm ethical integrity and a strong sense of responsibility in academic research in the life sciences field
  3. Advanced capabilities in research planning and execution in order to set unique topics and themes based on scholarly knowledge, techniques, and skills in the life sciences field, and to achieve solutions and development thereof through planning and implementation of joint research with other research institutions as necessary
  4. Advanced skills in theoretical explanation and communication required to promote one’s research findings to researchers in one’s own specialization and fields related thereto, and to deepen mutual understanding
  5. Doctoral dissertation that includes research findings demonstrating new discoveries or concepts that contribute academically or practically to the life sciences

Candidates considered to have made outstanding progress in their studies and research may be eligible for completion of the doctoral program in a reduced period of enrollment.